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Days after it seemed there was a path to a fall Big Ten conference-only season, Saturday made all of that look rather bleak.
On the heels of the MAC postponing its season to spring — the first FBS-level conference to do so — speculation reached a critical mass on social media about the rest of college football’s major conferences.
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The Big Ten happened to have a scheduled meeting on Saturday, which, if anything, put something of a pause on the momentum it had just been gaining. Per an officially released statement:
The Big Ten Conference announced today, based on the advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, that, until further notice, all institutions will remain in the first two days of the acclimatization period in football (i.e., helmets shall be the only piece of protective equipment student-athletes may wear) as we continue to transition prudently through preseason practice. All other fall sports will continue to work locally with team physicians and athletic trainers to adjust practices to the appropriate level of activity, as necessary, based on current medical protocols.
Michigan had just commenced fall camp on Friday as it prepares to hypothetically face Purdue on Sept. 5. While that’s not officially in jeopardy, according to David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press, the 2020 season could be moved to spring if first-year commissioner Kevin Warren follows his current intuition.
Big Ten presidents are expected to meet Saturday afternoon to discuss the future of the conference’s fall sports seasons, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation told the Free Press.
And it’s possible a spring football season could be on the table.Both sources were briefed about the call but were not authorized to speak publicly about it. The call was previously scheduled, and was not an emergency call, the sources said. However, the topic of conversation has shifted to the college football season.
Going into the call, the sources were told Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren preferred a spring football season, although no decision had been made.
An email to the Big Ten was not immediately returned.
Numerous sportswriters weighed in about the infeasibility about holding the planned 10-game season this fall, painting something of a bleak outlook when it comes to the current plan.
Power 5 source to @Stadium: “College football season is done. I don’t think everyone immediately follows MAC, but it gives other league presidents 1 more reason to make an easier decision. Biggest thing is unknown long-term impact of COVID & liability issues involved"
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 8, 2020
Prominent industry source: "I think by the end of the week the fall sports will be postponed in all conferences."
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) August 8, 2020
I don't think we're on the verge of all of college football crumbling TODAY.
But i don't think the Big Ten's brake tap was insignificant.
P5 AD text: 'Day at a time."
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) August 8, 2020
Agree here. Source told me “not likely” B1G presidents pull the plug but every day seems closer to that conclusion. https://t.co/i00itCsNEn
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 8, 2020
But not everyone is quite ready to cut the cord. Take this from friend of WolverinesWire, Andrew Lind, who covers Ohio State for Buckeye Sports Bulletin.
How about we let the people taking the risk decide whether or not they want to play, coach, etc?
— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) August 8, 2020
We’re not entirely sure what’s happened in the past 72 hours to cause the situation to go from possible to untenable. But as things stand at the moment, it’s seeming likelier and likelier that we might not see college football come September.
Stay tuned.