A Michigan-Michigan State night game in Ann Arbor this year is absolutely still on the table, and could be one of two prime-time kickoffs at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel told reporters today that the Big Ten has targeted Minnesota and/or Michigan State as possible night games for the Wolverines in 2017. Per the new television contract, Michigan has to host three night games over the course of a two-year span.

So it could play two night games at home this year and one next season. Or vice versa.

"The two potential (night) games we could (host) this year would be Michigan State and Minnesota," Manuel said. "By the contract between the conference and our television partners, we would have to know 12 days in advance. But we haven't heard anything at this point.

"It's 12 days minimum. They could let us know three weeks before. But they have to let us know 12 days before the game occurs, whether or not it'll be a (night) game."

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Michigan is scheduled to host Michigan State on Oct. 7 and Minnesota on Nov. 4.

In the past, teams had more of a say as to who it might host in a night game. Now, with the Big Ten's new television contract, Manuel said Michigan basically has to go with what league and the television networks want.

Manuel still isn't sure when the athletic department will find out if Minnesota and/or Michigan State will be night games. The television contract allows networks to make a decision on kick times during the season.

All this means Michigan will be playing a lot more night games each year moving forward, as each school agrees to play up to two road league night games per year as well.

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The Wolverines have played three night games at Michigan Stadium in the past: Notre Dame in 2011 and 2013 and Penn State in 2014.

"(Night games) are different from the standpoint of increased staffing levels we have to have for safety, fan experience and just getting around," Manuel said. "We have to add additional lighting to our areas and parking lots, (the tailgating areas) all have additional expenses to make sure people are safe in this environment. And, obviously, the police forces -- both university, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw and the state of Michigan -- are in increased vigilance."

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In the past, former athletic director Dave Brandon had vocalized his stance that playing an in-state rival like Michigan State at night would cause major concerns due to the inflated number of people -- within close proximity -- traveling to Ann Arbor just for the game experience. Both inside and outside the stadium.

Manuel says, at this point, Michigan doesn't have much say in who it plays at night. Still, concerns about safety will be expressed and will be made a priority with each instance.

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Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.

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