MSU UM night game.jpg

Michigan State tight end Matt Sokol (81) reacts after teammate defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) scored on a last second fumble by Michigan in the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2015. Michigan State beat Michigan, 27-23. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

ANN ARBOR, MI -- A long-anticipated night game between the Michigan and Michigan State football teams may happen this year, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.

When asked about the possibility of MSU's visit to Ann Arbor this year being one of the two possible games U-M plays at night, U-M athletic director Warde Manuel had a simple answer.

"Could be," Manuel said.

Michigan did not play a home game at night last year but because of TV licensing deals, the school no longer has the exclusive option on playing games at night in September and October.

The game between the Spartans and Wolverines is scheduled for Oct. 7, meaning if the Big Ten chooses to, that matchup could be played at night. Other games early in the season that could be optioned are against Air Force, Cincinnati and Rutgers.

Part of the reason why the two teams haven't played at night in the past are concerns over the safety and security at Michigan Stadium.

In 2013, former Michigan AD Dave Brandon said he vehemently opposed the 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.

Brandon said he felt the yearly game already had enough buzz around it and a night game wasn't necessary to increase that excitement.

"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," Brandon said. "I don't think that will add anything to it, and could potentially detract from it."

Now that the decision is no longer in the hands of UM, it's simply a matter of waiting to see what the Big Ten wants to do with the schedule.

Once November rolls around, Michigan takes back control of when it plays the games, meaning the game with Ohio State on Nov. 25 could be played at night as well.

However, Manuel told the Free Press that he doesn't anticipate that as a likely scenario.