It remains unclear which way each university president or chancellor would vote on a restart planGETTY IMAGES
The Big Ten has "transitioned from hopeful to confident the league's football teams will play in 2020," according to sources cited by Jeff Potrykus of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The sources said that they "expect the Big Ten's Council of Presidents and Chancellors will vote to start the season, with the target date Oct. 17." The sources added that "reliable, rapid testing has played a critical role and helped turn the tide in favor of trying to play this year" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/14). In Detroit, Jesse & Solari reported Big Ten presidents and chancellors yesterday "heard presentations about medical advances, especially in the area of testing that have taken place since the league voted 11-3 to indefinitely delay the fall football season and other fall sports Aug. 11." It is "unclear which way each university president or chancellor would vote on a restart plan." The meeting yesterday "followed a Saturday meeting which featured a smaller group of leaders and various medical experts." Sources said that the group "liked the presentation so much" that it "asked for all the presidents/chancellors to be involved in a meeting Sunday to see it and discuss next steps" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/14).
SETTING THINGS IN MOTION: In Detroit, Paul, Chengelis & Charboneau write to "resurrect the season, the Big Ten needed to flip six votes" to reach the "60% threshold required by the conference's bylaws." A source said that as the presidents and chancellors were meeting yesterday, schedule-makers were "working on an eight-game conference slate." A source said that a 10-game conference schedule, like the one released just days before the Big Ten shut down the first time around, "still is under consideration ahead of the Dec. 19 conference championship game, depending on when the season could start." Should the Big Ten start the season by Oct. 30, the conference "would find itself eligible for the College Football Playoff, which announces its four-team field Dec. 20" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/14).
EXPLORE EVERY OPTION: In New Jersey, Stephen Edelson writes it was the "right move for the Big Ten to step back from athletics last month." It "would be the right move for the league to begin planning a return to competition this season." The reality is that there is "access to improved rapid testing for the coronavirus, along with more data on the link between COVID-19 and heart issues." If there is a "way to try to get student-athletes back on the field safely, it's up to those in charge to explore every option available" (ASBURY PARK PRESS, 9/14).
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: In Chicago, Steve Greenberg writes Big Ten leadership would be "wise to try to remember that the health and safety of all our young people" is "paramount and precious." Officials "still have no idea how things are going to play out in the college game in 2020 and beyond." There is a reason Ohio State "already has canceled spring break for all its students." It "can't be overlooked that Illinois has had serious outbreaks of COVID-19 among students." It also is unknown whether or not schools will be able to "prevent outbreaks from besieging their rosters" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/14).
