Hokies Football: NC State at Virginia Tech on Friday Night

By Tim Thomas | Jan 29, 2015

Nov 28, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies tight end Bucky Hodges (7) celebrates with running back J.C. Coleman (4) and offensive lineman Wyatt Teller (57) and wide receiver Willie Byrn (82) and offensive lineman David Wang (76) and quarterback Michael Brewer (12) after scoring the game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Hokies defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 24-20 at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The ACC announced its 2015 conference schedule today, and many Hokie fans were disappointed with one of the things that became official. The release of the schedule revealed that the Hokies will not play a home game on Thursday Night for what is unfortunately the second time in the last three years.

However, the Hokies will have more than the Ohio State game on a week night still.

The Hokies will host the N.C. State Wolfpack on Friday, October 9th on ESPN. There is no doubt that not having a Thursday Night game will be disappointing, but the Hokies have the potential to help build Friday Night college football up some this season.

More from Virginia Tech Football

Of course, Thursday Night football in Blacksburg is a tradition that will almost certainly return in 2016 especially after getting snubbed this year. However, getting a second weeknight game on ESPN will definitely be a preference to the noon games that dominated last year’s schedule.

The thing is, Friday Night has the potential to bring the same atmosphere, and may be an easier game to sell to younger alumni in Northern Virginia who have to make a four-hour trip from near Washington D.C. to get to Blacksburg.

For TV exposure purposes, Friday night may actually be better for the Hokies with the NFL starting to take over Thursday nights as proven by these TV ratings from last season on ESPN.

Pitt-BC and Cuse-Louiville had higher ratings on Friday night in 2014 than VT-Pitt and VT-Miami did on Thursday night.
— Chris Coleman (@ChrisColemanTSL) January 29, 2015

You would not expect these numbers, but the rise of the NFL on Thursday nights is likely hurting the ratings on ESPN. Meanwhile, Friday Night College Football on ESPN is still growing and having the Hokies host a game on a Friday Night will help build up the viewership for Friday Night games on ESPN.

The biggest issue with a Friday Night game is the fact that it will be hard for recruits to come visit that game due to high schools traditionally dominating Friday nights. VHSL rules limit what high schools in Virginia can do though the VHSL may try to figure out a plan now that the Hokies and Virginia are both hosting a Friday night game this year.

There is no doubt that the Hokies should have a regular home game on Thursday nights, but a Friday night game isn’t as bad as it could be. This should be a very good stage for the Hokies to make a statement victory after disappointing on Thursday Night at home last season.

One thing that is definitely certain is that Lane Stadium will definitely be rocking just like any other night game in Blacksburg.

More from Fighting Gobbler

Home/Virginia Tech Football