It remains unclear how many games the Big Ten will attempt to play in its revised scheduleGETTY IMAGES
Big Ten officials are "working on a revised football schedule that could feature teams starting their season in early January," according to Jeff Potrykus of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Sources said that Big Ten officials have "decided to start the season as early as possible," which would "allow players to finish their season" before the '21 NFL Draft, set to be held April 29 through May 1. Parents of Univ. of Wisconsin football players were told that league officials still are "uncertain how a shortened season would affect the eligibility of players, particularly seniors." Several indoor facilities that "could be used by the Big Ten are home to NFL teams," including the Colts' Lucas Oil Stadium, Vikings' U.S. Bank Stadium and Lions' Ford Field. Facilities in St. Louis and Syracuse also are "possible." It "remains unclear how many games the Big Ten will attempt to play" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/19).
JANUARY START BENEFICIAL FOR FALL '21: In Detroit, Matt Charboneau wrote Big Ten officials have a "clear goal -- come up with a schedule that does its best not to alter a traditional schedule in the fall of 2021." An anonymous Big Ten source said, “You’ve got one season that's already compromised. You don't want to compromise two.” Ohio State football coach Ryan Day has "endorsed" a season that starts the first week of January and Penn State football coach James Franklin yesterday "jumped on board with his support of playing that early, emphasizing it would be the best move for players heading to the NFL as well as those simply recovering before the fall season." Although while it "seems there is a consensus in the conference to start the season in January, it’s hardly a done deal." Charboneau's Big Ten source said that there are "multiple moving parts to nailing down the parameters of a schedule, including but not limited to the agreement from television partners, dates of the NFL Draft, academic calendars and weather, with the hopes of playing as many games indoors as possible" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/20).
