Ohio State-Michigan is Canceled

The Ohio State Buckeyes game with the Michigan Wolverines is canceled

Huge news out of the Big Ten on Tuesday: The Ohio State-Michigan game has been canceled.

Michigan has had too many positive COVID-19 tests to field a team against the Buckeyes in the annual rivalry game.

This will be the first time since 1918 that Ohio State and Michigan will not meet at the end of the regular season.

The Big Ten now must decide what to do about Ohio State’s status for the conference championship contest on Dec. 19. The Buckeyes, as of now, have not played enough games to technically qualify for the Big Ten Championship Game. The committee could bend the rules or …

Purdue had to cancel its practice Tuesday due to COVID-19 issues. There was some speculation — writers dreaming? — about a rematch of Ohio State and Indiana. That is quite premature at this writing.

The official statement from Michigan:

The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced Tuesday (Dec. 8) that an increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases and student-athletes in quarantine over the past week will result in the cancellation of Saturday’s scheduled game at Ohio State. This decision was made after conversations with medical experts, health department officials and university administration.

“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. “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.”

Michigan will continue daily testing with hopes of getting back on the practice field when cleared by medical professionals. The Big Ten will hold its Championship Week of games on Dec. 18-19.

Statement from Michigan AD Warde Manuel: “Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close contact individuals.”

And throw this into the mix with Purdue calling off practice:

Seems unlikely per Pete Thamel: