ASU has announced that the college football game between the Sun Devils and the Missouri Tigers of the Big 12 conference has been moved to Friday, September 9th, 2011. ESPN has picked up the game and will be broadcast at 7:30 P.M. Arizona time, which is 10:30 P.M. on the east coast.
Being an early season clash of two BCS conference teams, this move makes a lot of financial sense for ESPN -- the game will likely have a large audience and college football fever will be at its peak.
ASU fans may see it differently, however. Moving a game to a Friday night brings about commute and planning issues, and fans will have to plan their day around a game that has a late start. This is a small complaint, and national television coverage will more than make up for it.
The Sun Devils are returning the core of their 6-6 team from 2010, with 30 seniors and almost 20 juniors making up a very experienced squad. Missouri has lost their star quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, to the NFL and will be led by mobile quarterback James Franklin.
For more Sun Devils coverage and reaction, head over to House Of Sparky.