Illini To Host First Primetime Big Ten Game At Memorial Stadium Since 2008

I don't want to alarm you, but Illinois will actually play a conference game in primetime in Champaign this season. I know, I'm a little scared myself, as this is a very rare occurrence. In fact, during my years in Champaign there wasn't a single home game that ever started later than 2:30, and even those were a rarity.

Which put a bit of a damper on tailgating festivities, because to be perfectly honest, one of the last things you want to do when you're out until 4am drinking on a Friday night/Saturday morning is get up at 7am. Even if it's to go drink some more.

But for the first time since 2008 the Illini will host a primetime conference game on the Big Ten Network when Wisconsin comes to town.

In fact, it's one of two Illini games that the Big Ten Network will broadcast in primetime this season, but the first one is the game against Washington at Soldier Field. Also, considering that game starts at 5pm, I don't really consider it primetime.

Still, the point remains that the Illini will play a night game. At home. At Memorial Stadium.

It's the first Big Ten game the Illini will have hosted in primetime since the 55-13 beat down against Indiana in 2008. Hopefully this game will have a similar result. And even if it doesn't, at least you'll have had about eight hours of tailgating beforehand.

The start times for Illinois' other ten games are to be determined, but I'd guess most will be at 11am.

Follow The Champaign Room on Twitter at @Champaign_Room and Like us on Facebook. You can follow Tom Fornelli on Twitter at @TomFornelli.