This year, the atmosphere will be enhanced by the addition of three video boards installed at the north and south end zones, with the largest board spanning 13,000 square feet.

For weeks the video boards have been tested, illuminating the sky and making the stadium visible from as far away as Grand River Avenue. And when Friday night rolls around, the No. 13 Spartans will be on display on one of the nation’s biggest stages, when they face No. 24 Boise State to kick off the 2012 season.

All of the lights
For junior safety Isaiah Lewis, the feeling of playing beneath stadium lights is not a new feeling.

The Indianapolis native said the opportunity to play Friday nights recalls his days at Ben Davis High School, where he was a three-year starter and eventual Associated Press Class 5A All-American his senior year.

“I love playing under the lights,” he said. “For some reason, it just feels like there’s more people, like it’s louder, there’s more energy.”

In addition to competing in a literal spotlight, squaring off against one of the nation’s premier programs for the first game only adds to the electricity in the air.

In six seasons under head coach Chris Petersen, the Broncos have amassed an impressive 73-6 overall record, making him the winningest active coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

It is the first time since 1998 the Spartans have opened the season against a team ranked in the AP Top 25, and only the ninth time in program history. In upcoming years, the Spartans will have season openers against Alabama and Oregon, two perennial national championship contenders.

But under head coach Mark Dantonio, MSU also has begun to creep into discussions about elite teams, and the Spartans hope to increase that chatter by playing top-tier opponents.

“I think it’s a philosophy here that we’re going to step out and play whoever,” Dantonio said. “When somebody comes and says ‘do you want to play such and such this particular year,’ I’m not going to shrug my shoulders and say ‘No.’ I’m going to say, ‘If it’s good for the program, we’ll play them.’”

Of course, stepping out and competing against elite programs is good for the program in more ways than one.

“The Alabamas, the Oregons, the Wisconsins, they’ve made it to the BCS bowls; we’re probably one of the only teams with back-to-back 11-win seasons and no BCS games,” junior wide receiver Bennie Fowler said. “So we have to prove to the BCS that we’re worthy of playing in some BCS games and that’s where we’re starting.”

School spirit
As special as playing a night game is for the players, Spartan fans are equally excited.
But there’s only one who will remain excited regardless of the outcome.

Journalism senior Alexandra Beshara has a foot in both camps after she transferred to MSU from Boise State to be closer to her hometown of Troy, Mich.

“I’ve been waiting two years for (this game),” she said. “All my friends are driving here from Boise.”
Beshara will be sporting a custom-made half-Spartan, half-Bronco jersey during Friday’s game, putting her dual fandom on display.

“Honestly, I’d be happy with whoever wins,” she said. It’s kind of cool because Boise State’s the underdog and it’d be fun if the underdog won, but I love Michigan State so if they win, I’m happy.

“So it’s going to be a good night either way.”