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Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon remains opposed to playing Michigan State at night in Ann Arbor.

(AnnArbor.com file photo)

LANSING -- Those holding out hope for a Michigan-Michigan State night football game may not want to hold their breath.

At least in Ann Arbor, anyway.

Both Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon and Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis, speaking at their annual "B1G AD Golf" challenge Monday, discussed the possibility of eventually moving the annual in-state rivalry to prime time.

An idea that will likely be more than a long shot at Michigan Stadium, according to Brandon.

In fact, he believes it's a bad idea.

"We don't think think it's a good idea," Brandon said. "From our perspective, the nature of that rivalry and the intensity of it, when you put that on in prime time and you give everybody all day long to gear up for it.

"Hosting that at Michigan Stadium, that's probably taking that a step further than it needs to go."

Brandon's flat opposition to a Wolverine-Spartan night game in Ann Arbor is a contrast to Hollis' feelings on the topic.

The Michigan State athletic director remains open to the idea in East Lansing, regardless of what Michigan opts to do during the years the game is played in Ann Arbor.

"From our perspective, night games add a new dimension," Hollis said. "We've had very good success here with Notre Dame and Boise (State) in the past (at night). We always listen, and then (along with the other institution), we determine which way to go.

"A lot of that has to do with what else is in the schedule -- what other games do you have out there, and what do you believe is in the best interest of both your institution and your game? Like Dave said, we have an opportunity to come back and make our suggestions strongly on where we want those games to fall when asked. Whenever they move to night games, we have that opportunity, and we’ll approach them on a game-by-game basis."

The next two Michigan-Michigan State games will be held at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. The time for this season's Nov. 2 tilt has yet to be announced.

For years, the Big Ten has operated under a rule that institutions would not play league contests at night after Nov. 1. And though Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany has said he'll be open to November night games down the road, it's unlikely this year's contest will take place under the lights.

In 2014, Michigan and Michigan State will square off in East Lansing on Oct. 25 -- making a nighttime kickoff entirely possible.

Brandon said both schools do, in fact, have a major say in the matter -- and the kickoff time isn't just a television network decision.

Hollis remains open to the idea, but Brandon -- as of now -- wants no part of it.

He believes the rivalry is strong enough to stand on its own two feet in the afternoon. And that a nighttime kickoff might only take away from the spirit of the game.

"There's plenty of excitement and plenty of high-pitched emotions associated with that game and I don't think we need to kick it off at 8 p.m," he added. "I don't think that will add anything to it, and could potentially detract from it."

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