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“The Game” this Saturday between Ohio State and Michigan has been canceled according to an official release from the University of Michigan Tuesday.
There was growing optimism that one of the greatest rivalries in all of American sports would be able to be played as Michigan returned to the practice field in a limited scope on Monday, but it does not appear as though the Wolverines program will be in good enough shape with its coronavirus outbreak to be able to travel to Columbus to participate in the traditional game that transcends American sports culture.
For Ohio State, this now puts its eligibility for the Big Ten Championship in peril. It will only have played five games, one game short of the six-game policy to be eligible to head to Indianapolis outlined by the conference in its return to play plan.
“The number of positive tests has continued to trend in an upward direction over the last seven days,” said Warde Manuel, U-M’s Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics in a statement. “We have not been cleared to participate in practice at this time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close-contact individuals. This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making.”
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"This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making.” pic.twitter.com/IHXOD6lXyj
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 8, 2020
This will be the first time since 1918 that Ohio State and Michigan will not meet during the regular season, truly signaling a sign of where things are with a global pandemic.
We’ll have more on this developing story as it is made available.
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