Big Ten Football

Big Ten football is returning, the organization confirmed on Wednesday morning following its unanimous vote.

"The Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) adopted significant medical protocols including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition. The COP/C voted unanimously to resume the football season starting the weekend of October 23-24, 2020. The decision was based on information presented by the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force, a working group that was established by the COP/C and Commissioner Kevin Warren to ensure a collaborative and transparent process."

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports reported the Big Ten is aiming for its teams to play eight games in eight weeks and that the Big Ten Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 19. Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports noted the timetable will allow the Big Ten to participate in the College Football Playoff. 

Wetzel also reported the current plan is for Big Ten games to be played on campus without fans other than the families of players in attendance, although that could change. The Big Ten provided details about testing and safety precautions:

"The Big Ten will require student-athletes, coaches, trainers and other individuals that are on the field for all practices and games to undergo daily antigen testing. Test results must be completed and recorded prior to each practice or game. Student-athletes who test positive for the coronavirus through point of contact (POC) daily testing would require a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm the result of the POC test.

...

"All COVID-19 positive student-athletes will have to undergo comprehensive cardiac testing to include labs and biomarkers, ECG, Echocardiogram and a Cardiac MRI. Following cardiac evaluation, student-athletes must receive clearance from a cardiologist designated by the university for the primary purpose of cardiac clearance for COVID-19 positive student-athletes. The earliest a student-athlete can return to game competition is 21 days following a COVID-19 positive diagnosis.
 
"In addition to the medical protocols approved, the 14 Big Ten institutions will establish a cardiac registry in an effort to examine the effects on COVID-19 positive student-athletes. The registry and associated data will attempt to answer many of the unknowns regarding the cardiac manifestations in COVID-19 positive elite athletes."

When the Big Ten initially announced the postponement of all fall sports, it was expected the conference would hold football in the spring, if at all this season. The plan received significant pushback by some members of the conference, most notably Nebraska, which had eight players sue the Big Ten for potential loss of future wages.

Big Ten players and their parents were overwhelmingly in favor of playing this season. A coalition of players led by Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields released a petition calling on the Big Ten to play the season. The petition has generated more than 300,000 signatures. 

"We, the football players of the Big Ten, together with the fans and supporters of college football, request that the Big Ten Conference immediately reinstate the 2020 football season. Allow Big Ten players/teams to make their own choice as to whether they wish to play or opt out this fall season. Allow Big Ten players/teams who choose to opt out of playing a fall season to do so without penality or repercussion.

"We want to play. We believe that safety protocols have been established and can be maintained to mitigate concerns of exposure to COVID-19. We believe that we should have the right to make decisions about what is best for our health and our future. Don’t let our hard work and sacrifice be in vain. #LetUsPlay!"

Fields and Ohio State reacted to Wednesday's announcement on Twitter:

The Big Ten's momentum to play during the fall began increasing last week, as the conference's medical subcommittee showed evidence that rapid-response antigen tests could limit the exposure of players.

"It's light-years different than it was five weeks ago," a conference source told ESPN's Heather Dinich and Adam Rittenberg.

The reported decision leaves the Pac-12 as the only Power Five conference not playing football this season.

University of Nebraska President Ted Carter said Tuesday during a conversation picked up by a hot mic prior to a news conference that there are plans to announce the return of Big Ten football Tuesday night.

Stephen Watson of WISN 12 News tweeted video of Carter's comments:

Per KETV, Carter appeared to tell National Strategic Research Institute Director Bob Hinson, "We're getting ready to announce the Huskers and Big Ten football tonight."

When asked about his comments, Carter said that his comments were "picked up a little out of context," via Yousef Nasser of KLKN-TV:

Carter noted that he is "cautiously optimistic" about the matter.

The Big Ten voted to postpone the start of the 2020 Big Ten football season and not hold it during the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but CNN's Allen Kim reported Monday that the conference was planning another vote soon.

Kim reported that if the Big Ten does vote in favor of holding its season, the conference would begin play as early as Oct. 17 and as late as Oct. 31, which would allow each Big Ten team to play eight games.

The Big Ten revealed last month in an affidavit that the conference's presidents and chancellors voted 11-3 in favor of postponing the season when the original vote was held in August.

That information was divulged in the wake of eight Nebraska football players filing a lawsuit against the Big Ten. The players called for the payment of damages, the invalidation of the postponement and transparency regarding how the decision was made and whether a vote was held.

Per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Nebraska, Ohio State and Iowa were the three Big Ten schools that voted against postponement.

The 2020 college football season is underway with ACC and Big 12 teams having begun their campaigns last weekend. SEC teams will follow suit the weekend of Sept. 26. The Big Ten and Pac-12 were the two Power Five conferences that voted against starting on time.

Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank said Tuesday that the Big Ten will "keep [the] season postponed" until it has answers regarding COVID-19 testing and tracing and heart conditions that can arise from coronavirus, according to Steve Berkowitz of USA Today.

A quick resolution and vote in favor of playing could allow Big Ten teams to be eligible for the College Football Playoff, but if the original decision isn't reversed soon, that is unlikely to be the case.

With uncertainty surrounding the Big Ten college football season, Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade has declared for the 2021 NFL draft. 

The redshirt junior announced his decision on social media Monday:

Wade has a chance to be taken in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, with Bleacher Report's Matt Miller predicting the cornerback to go No. 18 overall in his latest mock draft.

The 6'1", 195-pound cornerback made an impact all over the field during the past two seasons with the Buckeyes, totaling four interceptions, three forced fumbles and two sacks.

He was especially impressive covering in the slot:

After playing alongside first-round draft picks Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette last season, he was expected to take on a bigger role this year. He was on the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list in the preseason, recognized as one of the top defensive players in college football.

However, the Big Ten season was postponed in August as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Wade's father, Randy Wade, was among the biggest detractors of the decision and organized a protest outside Big Ten headquarters last month. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day also released a statement calling for the season to start in the fall.

Big Ten presidents and chancellors reportedly met Sunday to discuss plans for the upcoming season but have not yet held a vote, per Adam Rittenberg and Heather Dinich of ESPN.

While the Buckeyes await their fate for the 2020 season, Wade will instead focus on his future and prepare for the NFL draft. He joins teammate Wyatt Davis in opting out, as well as other potential high draft picks such as Oregon's Penei Sewell and LSU's Ja'Marr Chase.

The Big Ten's 14 conference chancellors and presidents are expected to vote on a potential return to play football within the next 72 hours, per Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.

That reported vote decision occurred after the conference's Return to Competition Task Force presentation "ended successfully [Saturday]," per Thamel.

The presidents and chancellors will begin meeting Sunday to discuss the football season, which is currently postponed through the 2020 calendar year along with all other fall sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Big Ten announced that all fall sports would be postponed through the 2020 calendar year on Aug. 11.

"The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward," Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said.

"As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall."

Much pushback ensued following the Big Ten's decision, with many parents of football players publicly expressing their displeasure. The debate even reached the Oval Office, with President Donald Trump repeatedly calling on the Big Ten to play football.

Now momentum seems to be shifting toward a return to play at some point, but as Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic wrote, there are some factors at play to consider:

"The key to all of this will be: Do the Big Ten's presidents and chancellors who initially voted to postpone the season now feel comfortable with advances in (daily/rapid) testing, the ability to contact trace, plans for identifying and treating potential heart issues, etc?"

Auerbach also noted that individual schools could still opt out of playing even if the conference decides to move forward.

Among the Power Five conferences, the Big Ten and Pac-12 made the decision to postpone the seasons, while the Big 12, SEC and ACC started this week.

Nebraska's simmering feud with the Big Ten over the conference's decision to postpone fall sports has reached the state's attorney general.

According to ESPN's Heather Dinich and Paula Lavigne, AG Doug Peterson, a 1981 Nebraska graduate, has sent a letter to Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, questioning the conference's compliance with state law and "requesting all documents and information pertaining to its decision to postpone the 2020 fall sports season."

The move follows news of eight Nebraska football players filing a lawsuit against the Big Ten to invalidate the league's postponement and award damages to the plaintiffs. 

Peterson is now challenging the Big Ten's cooperation with Nebraska's Nonprofit Corporation Act, accusing the conference of operating within the state while failing to maintain registration. 

The AG has also requested access to all meeting minutes of deliberation among the university presidents and chancellors, all documents that show their decisions about the 2020 season were properly approved, all documents that relate to the financial impact of the league's decision and all "information, opinions, reports and statements" that the presidents and chancellors used to reach their decisions, per ESPN. 

"In order to receive the advantages to operate as a nonprofit organization in Nebraska, it is imperative that the organization operate with complete transparency regarding its decision-making process," Peterson said. "Nebraskans expect transparency from nonprofits operating in this state, and the Big Ten Conference is no exception."

Big Ten chancellors and presidents voted 11-3 to postpone the season on August 11 with only Nebraska, Ohio State and Iowa objecting. 

Warren has stood by the decision since and announced there would be no reversal until the conference's return-to-play committee discovered a safe route forward as they look to resume college sports amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

"The decision was thorough and deliberative, and based on sound feedback, guidance and advice from medical experts," Warren wrote on August 19. "Despite the decision to postpone fall sports, we continue our work to find a path forward that creates a healthy and safe environment for all Big Ten student-athletes to compete in the sports they love in a manner that helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protects both student-athletes and the surrounding communities."

Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway called out United States President Donald Trump on Thursday for attempting to get involved with the Big Ten's discussions on when to hold its 2020 football season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to NJ.com's Steve Politi, Holloway suggested Trump should be focused on the bigger issues facing the country:

"Cheap politics. I mean, it's just cheap politics. I want that person to be paying attention to matters of national security and national importance. This does not rise to that level—not for a half second. And even if it was a president that I was completely in love with that was doing this, I’d still think it would be cheap politics."

The Big Ten decided to postpone the start of its 2020 season because of the rapid spread of COVID-19, and the earliest its season could start at this point is mid-October.

Eight Nebraska football players sued the Big Ten in August in an attempt to invalidate the decision to postpone the season, secure damages and create transparency regarding how the decision was made.

According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Big Ten presidents and chancellors divulged that they voted 11-3 to postpone the season in the interest of "the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes."

Trump has recently been outspoken about his belief that the Big Ten should hold its season as soon as possible. Per Rebecca Klar of The Hill, Trump said: "[It's] crucial for colleges and universities to stay open, we hope that they do indeed stay open. We want to see Big Ten football, we hope it's coming back."

He also discussed the possibility of the Big Ten having its season even if all 14 members don't want to participate: "I have a feeling they may do it without everybody. But people are working very, very hard to get Big Ten football back. I'm pushing for it and it'll be a great thing for our country."

According to Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune (h/t MLive.com's Aaron McMann), Big Ten presidents and chancellors could meet within the next week to vote on the conference's next steps.

The FBS college football season began last week and this week will see several teams from the ACC and Big 12 play for the first time, followed by the SEC on Sept. 26.

Both the Big Ten and Pac-12 postponed their seasons, as did the Mid-American Conference and Mountain West Conference in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

If the Big Ten does have a 2020-21 football season, it is possible it won't be held until the spring, although no firm decisions have been made.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has called on the Big Ten to begin the college football season despite concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Big Ten medical subcommittee has done an excellent job of creating a safe pathway toward returning to play in mid-October," Day wrote Thursday.

The Big Ten announced on Aug. 11 it would postpone all fall sports, including football, without any official restart date. Despite the decision, three other power conferences will move forward with the season after a few weeks of delays.

Day noted others will be on the field this weekend, concluding, "Our players want to know: why can't they play?"

There has been significant backlash regarding the Big Ten's decision to postpone the year, especially from the Buckeyes.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields started a petition that received over 300,000 signatures calling for the conference to reverse its decision.

Considering the team is rated No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, the squad would have a chance to compete for a national championship if it were allowed to play games. A delayed season would not let the team take part in the College Football Playoffs.

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh also participated in a protest led by the parents of Wolverines players.

Despite the push for games to begin soon, Wisconsin was forced to suspended practices for two weeks as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Penn State head coach James Franklin expressed his frustration with the Big Ten's lack of communication amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

During an appearance on ESPN Radio's Keyshawn, Zubin and JWill (h/t Sam Marsdale of 247Sports), Franklin spoke about the "challenge" of trying to answer questions for players and families when the conference isn't providing information:

"I think the big challenge as the head football coach is that your players and your parents think that you have all the answers to what's going on, but the reality is, we're dependent on the Big Ten to drive this thing forward. It's been challenging. It truly has. In terms of where we're at, I'm not really sure. I think that's part of the problem. To me, I've said this from the beginning, I don't necessarily have an issue with the decision. I got an issue with the process, and I got an issue with the timing. To be able to stand up in front of your team and parents and tell them that the season is canceled/postponed, but not have any answers as to how that affects their future and when we will be playing football and still haven't a month later. That's the hard part. It's been really, really challenging. I think a big part of leadership is to be able to deliver answers to people's questions and also to be able to drive people towards a vision and drive people towards a plan. Right now, we don't have those things." 

Since the Big Ten announced on Aug. 11 all fall sports would be postponed because of the pandemic, several teams and football coaches have spoken out against the decision. 

Franklin has been consistent in saying his issue has nothing to do with the postponement, but the lack of response from conference leaders. 

"I don't necessarily have an issue with the decision, but I have an issue with the process and I've got an issue with the timing," he told reporters on Aug. 19. "It was challenging to keep getting up in front of my team and getting up in front of my parents and not having answers to their questions."

Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren issued an open letter to the Big Ten community to provide some insight on the decision: "The vote by the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) was overwhelmingly in support of postponing fall sports and will not be revisited."

Warren also highlighted six primary factors as the reasons, including the "alarming rate" of transmission for the virus; concerns around contact tracing; and uncertainty about recovery and long-term ramifications of contracting the virus. 

There has been speculation the Big Ten would reconsider its stance regarding football, with ESPN's Adam Rittenberg noting this week that lawmakers from six states sent a letter to Warren asking to reconsider, but Warren's letter said the decision "will not be revisited."

Penn State University announced the halt of sports team activities after 48 student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19 from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.

"Based on these results and out of an abundance of caution, Penn State Athletics has paused team activities for several programs and initiated standard isolation and precautionary quarantine," the university said in a statement. "Contact tracing is being performed and there is no evidence to suggest COVID-19 was transmitted during practice or training activities."

The 48 positive tests represent a massive spike for Penn State, which saw only one positive test in the previous week's round of testing. The Nittany Lions have been testing athletes and staff at least once a week while the school conducts workouts amid the cancellation of the Big Ten's fall sports schedule.

"We expect our student-athletes to follow University requirements and guidelines for limiting the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing their hands regularly and not gathering in large groups," the statement said.

Penn State did not disclose which sports had positive tests, citing the privacy of the students. Those who tested positive will be quarantined at the university for at least 14 days. The school will use its contact-tracing system to trace the source of the outbreak and test anyone who has come in contact with students who tested positive.

Penn State has seen 59 positive tests among student-athletes since returning to campus this summer. 

Nolan Rucci, one of the top offensive lineman in the class of 2021, announced his decision to attend Wisconsin on Tuesday on CBS Sports HQ:

A 5-star recruit, according to 247Sports, the Lititz, Pennsylvania, native is ranked 14th overall nationally and is the top player in his state. All of college football's top programs were after the 6'8", 295-pound tackle. Aside from Wisconsin, Rucci had offers from Penn State, Alabama, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Ohio State and Michigan. 

It made sense that Penn State and Wisconsin were high on Rucci's list, given his ties to both schools. Hayden Rucci, Nolan's brother, is a tight end for the Badgers, while his father, former NFLer Todd Rucci, played on Penn State's offensive line. The eldest Rucci is a former second-round draft pick and member of the New England Patriots from 1993-99 who started in Super Bowl XXXI.

Count 247Sports among those who are exceedingly bullish on Rucci, with the site's evaluators calling him a potential first-round NFL pick and an "elite-level player who can get on field as freshman."

With that kind of hype, it's no wonder why the best of college football is fighting over themselves to give Rucci a scholarship. 

Watching that potential develop over the next few years on the field should have Badgers fans thrilled with his decision.