MSU vs. Maryland a growing possibility if Ohio State can’t play this week, reports indicate

Reports indicate that Maryland could take on Michigan State if the Buckeyes are unable to play this week because of COVID-19.

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Should No. 4 Ohio State be forced to cancel their match-up with the Spartans this Saturday because of COVID-19 positive tests, then it appears Michigan State will have a back-up opponent.

Michigan officially canceled their game against Maryland for this Saturday because of a potential COVID-19 outbreak amongst the program, leaving the Terps with no game. However, the Big Ten does allow schools to schedule games the week of should there be a cancellation. According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, this could be the case for MSU-Maryland if the Spartans also lose their game this Saturday.

Rittenberg reported on Wednesday that he’s hearing Northwestern-Maryland will not have a rematch this weekend, and that it’s more likely MSU would fill-in the Terps’ opening on the schedule should that possibility arise. Northwestern’s match-up against Minnesota was also canceled earlier in the week, because of COVID-19 positive tests at Minnesota.

As you may recall, MSU was supposed to travel to Maryland in November before that game was canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Terps’ program. So this would make sense should Ohio State not be able to play on Saturday.

This possible match-up between MSU-Maryland is completely hypothetical at the moment as the Buckeyes are reportedly moving forward with preparations for this Saturday’s match-up. Rittenberg reported the Buckeyes would again be practicing on Wednesday, making it a second straight day of practice for Ohio State.

Should Ohio State be able to play this week, they’ll be the first Big Ten team to miss two consecutive games after a COVID-19 outbreak. The Buckeyes, however, do have extra motivation to play this week as they will most likely be ineligible for the Big Ten Championship should they not play their final two games.

Whether it’s the Buckeyes or Terapins, it appears there will be football in East Lansing this Saturday. Just a matter of who will be lining up across from the green-and-white.

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