DeWine said testing advances are another reason why Ohio State could resume sports this fallGETTY IMAGES
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he had a discussion with Ohio State AD Gene Smith and came away from the conversation believing "there is a decent chance of there being a season in football for the Big Ten and for Ohio State," according to Nathan Baird of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. DeWine "declined to disclose details" of yesterday's call with Smith, except to say that he "inquired about the fall possibility." DeWine said, "(Smith) said it was still in play -- still very much a possibility. ... The key was always going to be how it was done." DeWine "did not specify what time period he and Smith discussed, if any, for a possible resumption of football games." Meanwhile, DeWine said that testing advances are an "additional reason why Ohio State could be able to resume competition this fall" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/9).
RECONSIDERATION REQUEST: In Detroit, LeBlanc & Chengelis note Michigan Republican legislative leaders yesterday joined chamber leaders from Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in a letter "urging the Big Ten conference to reinstate the fall football season." Michigan state Rep. Lee Chatfield said the decision to postpone the football season until spring was the "wrong choice" for area schools and students. Chatfield signed the letter with state Sen. Mike Shirkey. Chatfield, Shirkey and other legislative leaders noted that the Big Ten athletic programs had "successfully implemented health and safety protocol and proposed additional measures that should be given time to work" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/9).
INSULATED SEASON? SI.com's Pat Forde wrote the Big Ten's best course of action "could remain what it has been for weeks -- continuing toward an indoor, January-February season in concert with the Pac-12." The leagues "could still come out of this 2020-21 morass with the best seasons of anyone -- fewer interruptions, more fans, eager TV partners." Forde: "We have seen a number of September games postponed in recent days, with more on the way. There's no guarantee anyone will see a fall season through to completion" (SI.com, 9/8).
