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It won’t be long before we officially know the fate of Big Ten football as it pertains to a fall season.
As the ACC and Big 12 kicked off their seasons — with not so good results coming from the latter in the early going — the Big Ten presidents and chancellors met via Zoom to hear the latest medical intel from the medical advisors to the league.
According to multiple national reporters, it seems that the meeting went well and that a vote to either resume the season or stay in college football purgatory is coming — and it could come as early as this weekend, according to Yahoo’s Pete Thamel and ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.
Sources: The Big Ten presentation by the Return to Competition Task Force has ended successfully today. The full 14 Big Ten Chancellors and Presidents will meet tomorrow are expected to vote on return to play in next 72 hours. Today is the step before the step.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 12, 2020
Sources: The Big Ten medical subcommittee has concluded its presentation today to the steering committee of league presidents. This now advances to the full council of presidents/chancellors, who could vote on a return to competition as early as Sunday.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 12, 2020
While a vote on Sunday isn’t guaranteed, it’s likely to come at some point in the next 72 hours. That vote would likely determine both if and when the Big Ten would return to play this season.
The most optimistic date being discussed is Oct. 17, with a Big Ten championship game in late December. Still, nothing is certain. The league has two programs – Maryland and Wisconsin – currently on pause that would struggle to start on that date. The presidents could also decide to start later, as other dates that have been discussed include late November and January.
Given that there will, in fact, be another vote while other conferences play seems like it is likely to go in a positive direction.
However, at this moment, Wisconsin and Maryland have paused football activities due to outbreaks within their programs. Michigan is not in such a case, as it apparently held a practice on Saturday at The Big House.
Who said it’s not a game/work day? I can’t tell. @UMichFootball is out here working…working. We 👀you boyz!!!#stayreadysoyoudonthavetogetready💪〽️ pic.twitter.com/xHfDOFFWTc
— Saddi Washington (@saddiwashington) September 12, 2020
The vote may not come on Sunday, but at least by Tuesday, we should know for sure what the Big Ten has up its sleeve.
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