Big Ten Network sets football schedule

A trio of October conference games involving Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern and Penn State, a Friday night season-opening game at Spartan Stadium and non-conference matchups against ACC and Pac-12 foes highlight the 2011 primetime football schedule on the Big Ten Network.

Five of the seven games involve 2010 bowl teams.

“We're very excited about our primetime schedule and think it's the strongest we've ever had,” Big Ten Network president Mark Silverman said. “There's always extra electricity in the air for Big Ten night games, and we have some top-quality matchups.”

In all, the network will televise more than 40 games this fall. Start times and television arrangements for other early-season games, including the possibility of other prime time games, will be announced at a later date.

BTN primetime schedule

Ÿ Sept. 2, 6:30 p.m: Youngstown State at Michigan State

This game will mark just the 10th night game in the 88-year history of Spartan Stadium, and the first since last year's thrilling and memorable overtime victory against Notre Dame.

Ÿ Sept. 10, 6 p.m.: Virginia at Indiana

First-year Indiana coach Kevin Wilson will make his Memorial Stadium debut under the lights. The teams met two years ago in Charlottesville.

Ÿ Sept. 17, 6 p.m. : Arizona State at Illinois

The Fighting Illini will play the Sun Devils in Champaign for the first time since 1987, and for only the third time in history.

Ÿ Sept. 24, 6 p.m.: North Dakota State at Minnesota

Jerry Kill will coach his first home night game as Minnesota's head coach, but it won't be his first night game at TCF Bank Stadium. Kill's Northern Illinois won at Minnesota 34-23 on Sept. 25, 2010.

Oct. 8, 6 p.m.: Michigan at Northwestern

The game will mark just the 13th night game in Northwestern's home stadium history. The primetime contest will be played almost 76 years to the date of the first-ever night game in Big Ten history, when Northwestern hosted Purdue on Oct. 5, 1935, in Evanston.

Ÿ Oct. 15, 6 p.m.: Northwestern at Iowa

Iowa will host only its sixth primetime game ever at Kinnick Stadium, and first against Northwestern.

Ÿ Oct. 22, 6 p.m.: Penn State at Northwestern

In last year's meeting at Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions overcame a three-touchdown deficit and Joe Paterno became the first major college coach to earn 400 career victories.