Big Ten Postpones Football In Fall, Targets Spring Season
Aug 11, 2020, 1:13 PM
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11: Trainers wear rubber gloves as they work in the bench area during the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Indiana Hoosiers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 11, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Big Ten Conference announced that fans would not be allowed to attend the remainder of the tournament due to concerns over the COVID-19 virus. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – One of college football’s most prestigious conferences won’t be playing on the gridiron this fall. The Big Ten Conference is the first Power 5 league to cancel football in the fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Big Ten Statement on 2020-21 Fall Seasonhttps://t.co/BCiRSzeAPL
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) August 11, 2020
Numerous reports were swirling the past few days and now it is official that no football will be played in the fall. The Big Ten isn’t giving up on the possibility of playing football, the earliest that will happen is in the spring.
Big Ten statement on postponement of fall sports
“The Big Ten Conference announced the postponement of the 2020-21 fall sports season, including all regular-season contests and Big Ten Championships and Tournaments, due to ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In making its decision, which was based on multiple factors, the Big Ten Conference relied on the medical advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.
“The fall sports included in this announcement are men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. The Big Ten Conference will continue to evaluate a number of options regarding these sports, including the possibility of competition in the spring. Decisions regarding winter and spring sports will also continue to be evaluated.”
The Big Ten joins the Mid-American Conference and Mountain West Conference as the third FBS league to postpone fall football.
Here in the west, we’re waiting on word for the Pac-12 Conference, a league that has historically been aligned closely with the Big Ten Conference.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
