"Common sense spells out the negatives: Less viewership on the East Coast, late travel home, fewer families with children in attendance,..." 

College football is following the poor example of baseball, later game starts, games that last too long, etc.  These things keep younger fans away from the game, which prohibits the development of newer fans.   Proof of this is the aging fan base of baseball.

My siblings and I all became USC fans because our parents took us to USC day games.  We developed a love for the traditions, the Trojan band, etc.   If USC played at night we wouldn't have been able to attend games.

I developed​ a love for the theater because my parents took me to many matinees before I was old enough to attend night performances.