Big Ten Football

Justin Fields will be OK.

Let's start at the conclusion to avoid any misgivings about the premise. He's an ultra-talented quarterback who is soon headed to the NFL. Fields will have a chance to become the face of a franchise and put together a long, successful professional career.

But right now, as with hundreds of other college football players who aren't suiting up this fall, it hurts.

"It" is not playing a season in 2020—something that seemed unconscionable as 2019 ended. Not guiding Ohio State's run at a Big Ten or national championship. Not taking the field with his teammates. Not showing off an improved skill here or there. Not having the expected chance to build his profile for the 2021 NFL draft.

Nevertheless, at least as he fights for the Big Ten to reverse its decision, Fields can remember he did everything he could—unlike a season not permitting even that.

Personal opinions about the current world situation vary dramatically. We're not interested in discussing the "why" of what's happening or whether the cancellation was a good choice. In this space—at this moment—the focus is on what a talented athlete no longer has a chance to pursue.

Without a doubt, Fields would first mention Ohio State's team goals.

As three-time reigning Big Ten champions, the Buckeyes have solidified themselves as the class of the conference. They would've entered the 2020 campaign as the favorites in the league ahead of Penn State, Wisconsin and rival Michigan.

Ohio State reached the College Football Playoff last season, but it ended on a bitterly disappointing note. Trailing 29-23 in the final minute of regulation against Clemson in the semifinals, a miscommunication between Fields and Chris Olave resulted in an interception. Clemson advanced to the national championship.

Even after Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, J.K. Dobbins and others headed to the NFL, the 2020 Buckeyes were built to appear on the sport's biggest stage once again.

"This team is special," head coach Ryan Day said, per Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch. "It's special because it's talented. It's special because it has leadership. It's special because of the character. It could have been a once-in-a-lifetime team."

Fields would have headlined the "special" roster with an eye on eclipsing the 2019 team's accomplishments. Instead, there will be no redemption for this moment.

The junior signal-caller would've been in position to thrive.

Ohio State returned three All-Big Ten performers on the offensive line, including All-American right guard Wyatt Davis. Running back Master Teague III and Olave both earned All-Big Ten honors last year, and wideout Garrett Wilson has that upside.

It's entirely reasonable to say Fields could've surpassed his 2019 production this fall. Considering what he accomplished last year, that's pretty incredible.

Fields completed 67.2 percent of his passes while averaging 9.2 yards per attempt. He racked up 3,273 passing yards with 41 touchdowns to three interceptions, also running for 484 yards and 10 scores. Those numbers could've been much higher, yet Ohio State dominated so many games that he often didn't play in the fourth quarter—and sometimes even the third.

He trailed only LSU's Joe Burrow and Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts in Heisman Trophy voting. While most players would take a national title over an individual award, that's still a big deal. Fields neared 2020 as the co-favorite with Clemson star Trevor Lawrence.

That only seemed fitting given the history between these two quarterbacks.

Lawrence and Fields ended the 2018 recruiting cycle as the Nos. 1 and 2 prospects. They faced off in the Fiesta Bowl. Lawrence won both of those battles, but 2020 offered Fields a chance to write a new chapter. Now, though, he's no longer part of the Heisman race. And that's not helping his case for No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, either.

Along with North Dakota State standout Trey Lance, Lawrence and Fields are considered the best draft-eligible quarterbacks. Lawrence will lead Clemson this fall in a full slate of games, and Lance has one opportunity against Central Arkansas in October in NDSU's lone 2020 matchup.

Fields won't have a spotlight until the spring. Perhaps it won't have a big impact on his perception relative to Lawrence and Lance, but we can't confidently say the opposite is impossible.

Yes, he technically could stay in college for 2021. However, it'd be stunning if Fields throws another pass at Ohio State. He's already a top player, and a theoretical spring season in February, March and April overlaps a critical time for draft prospects.

From a value perspective, there is no sense in entertaining that risk.

Long-term, Fields will be OK. He's a likely first-round selection and will sign a hefty contract to play quarterback in the NFL. The lost season cannot steal that from Fields.

But a promising future merely dulls the disappointment of no championship chase and no race for an individual award. All that's left is an indirect competition with a familiar, friendly nemesis—one who gets to pursue everything Fields is missing out on in 2020.

Editor's note: This article has been updated after news the Big Ten is still considering a fall season.            

Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.

Eight University of Nebraska football players have filed a lawsuit against the Big Ten over the conference's decision to postpone the 2020 season. 

According to the Omaha World-Herald's Evan Bland, the suit filed in the District Court of Lancaster County, Nebraska, is seeking the reversal of the Big Ten's decision and "greater clarity" regarding why the decision was made.

It is alleged in the lawsuit that the postponement of the Big Ten's 2020 football season "didn't follow established procedures in the decision-making process and was unjustified based on flawed and misapplied medical information."

The Big Ten and Pac-12 have announced that they will not play college football during the fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while the SEC, ACC and Big 12 all plan to play in the fall.

Garrett Snodgrass, Garrett Nelson, Ethan Piper, Noa Pola-Gates, Alante Brown, Brant Banks, Brig Banks and Jackson Hannah are the eight Nebraska players who combined to file the lawsuit.

The Big Ten released the following statement in response to the lawsuit:

The players' attorney, Mike Flood, said they are not seeking any more than $75,000 in damages per player. Flood added that the lawsuit "isn't about money or damages, it's about real-life relief."

Flood called the Big Ten's decision to postpone the 2020 fall season "arbitrary and capricious," and noted that the players want to know if a vote was held, as well as what the results of the vote were.

With fall football out of the equation for the Big Ten and Pac-12, the conferences are considering the possibility of a winter or spring season depending on the environment with regard to COVID-19.

Other FBS conferences that could potentially take part in a winter or spring season include the Mid-American Conference and Mountain West Conference, which both postponed their seasons as well.

Nebraska went a disappointing 5-7 last season and has finished with a losing record in three consecutive seasons after previously making nine straight trips to a bowl game.

The Cornhuskers weren't expected to be major players in the Big Ten this season against the likes of Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin, but there was excitement surrounding the season regardless due to the popularity of college football in Nebraska.

The uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the decision by the Big Ten and Pac-12 to postpone their seasons has led to several high-profile players opting out of the 2020 season.

Among the most notable Big Ten players to opt out are Michigan offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield, Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman.

Should the Big Ten play in the winter or spring, there could be even more opt outs due to concerns over how playing could potentially impact players' stock in the 2021 NFL draft.

The Big Ten's postponement of fall sports has already created a large financial loss for the Ohio State athletic department.   

According to Joey Kaufmann of the Columbus Dispatch, the school provided projections to its board of trustees and expects to miss out on $130.3 million in revenue. 

The official reasoning for the drop in expected revenues is "losses of ticket sales, media rights fees and other conference-related revenues distributions stemming from a fall season," per Kaufmann. Details for the athletic department's budget were included in a number of materials as Ohio State's operating budget for the 2021 fiscal year comes up for approval Thursday.

Buckeyes athletic director Gene Smith declined comment to Kaufmann until after Thursday's meeting. 

According to the Columbus Dispatch, revenue generated by college football accounts for more than half the athletic department's annual budget with ticket sales and media rights serving as the two biggest financial generators. 

While the Big Ten is currently exploring options for a spring football season, that would do little to help the current fiscal year, which ends Dec. 31. 

No specifics for how to make up for the shortfall were included in Ohio State's prepared report, and cost-cutting measures were not submitted.

Smith's comments Thursday should provide more context for how the university plans to move forward in the current financial climate. 

Randy Wade, the father of Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade, organized a protest at the Big Ten office in Rosemont, Illinois, on Friday with the hope of giving players' parents a voice in the conference's decision to postpone the fall football season. 

Chris Bumbaca of USA Today reported the news, noting parents of players from Ohio State, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin attended the protest even though Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren and his staff are working remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wade flew from his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, to the Chicago area for the protest and started a "Let us play" chant:

Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors posted an interview with Wade in which he said "I thought it was great" while thanking those who showed up even though it's a workday.

"The reason we're here is that we want to have conversations," Wade, said, per Bumbaca. "It's simple. We want to play in the fall, but regardless of the fall, we want to have conversations in the spring."

This comes after Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields posted a petition calling on the Big Ten to reinstate the season.

As of Friday, nearly 300,000 people have signed the petition.

Despite the efforts of players and parents, the Big Ten postponed all fall sports, including football, because of the pandemic. The Pac-12 did the same, although the ACC, Big 12 and SEC still plan on having the football season in the fall.

Warren, whose son will play for Mississippi State this year despite the pandemic, reaffirmed the conference's decision in an open letter published Wednesday.

Jim Harbaugh has found a way to get his team back on the field this fall after the Big Ten postponed fall sports.

The Michigan football head coach will hold an NFL combine on October 24 at Michigan Stadium—the day U-M would've played Ohio State.

Instead of playing for a conference title, the Wolverines will be playing for their future careers.

Per Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News:

"The players will practice combine-specific drills these next nine weeks, four days a week, to prepare for the event that expects to draw NFL scouts and the players’ families. Michigan players returned for voluntary practices Aug. 10.

Holding a scouting combine at the stadium is an effort to allow NFL scouts an opportunity watch and test the players, who will not have an opportunity to play football this fall. In the event of a spring season, which the Big Ten currently is exploring, this could give players who are considering their next step, whether to remain at Michigan or head to the NFL, an opportunity to play a spring season and still pursue the NFL because NFL teams will already have their measurables."

On Thursday, Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas declared for the 2021 NFL draft. The Wolverines' new plan should give more players opportunities to perform in front of scouts during a year in which the date of their next game remains unknown. 

If nothing else, it will give Michigan's roster a reason to stay engaged throughout the fall as the Big Ten works on developing a return-to-play plan. 

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields' petition to reinstate fall sports in the Big Ten has now received more than 283,000 signatures. It likely won't change much.  

In an open letter published Wednesday, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said a vote by the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors was "overwhelmingly in support of postponing fall sports and will not be revisited."

Warren also addressed confusion and disappointment in announcing the postponement of college football only days after releasing a revised season schedule: 

"We understand the disappointment and questions surrounding the timing of our decision to postpone fall sports, especially in light of releasing a football schedule only six days prior to that decision. From the beginning, we consistently communicated our commitment to cautiously proceed one day at a time with the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes at the center of our decision-making process. That is why we took simultaneous paths in releasing the football schedule, while also diligently monitoring the spread of the virus, testing, and medical concerns as student-athletes were transitioning to full-contact practice.

"... We understand the passion of the many student-athletes and their families who were disappointed by the decision, but also know there are many who have a great deal of concern and anxiety regarding the pandemic."

Warren further explained the information given to the council before it voted.

The primary factors behind the decision to postpone fall sports included the "alarming rate" of COVID-19 transmission with "little indication from medical experts that our campuses, communities or country could gain control of the spread of the virus prior to the start of competition."

Additionally, medical experts told the conference leaders there were too many unknowns connected to the virus, including incomplete data relating to cardiomyopathy and an unacceptable risk associated with potential long-term effects. 

Warren wrote the conference assembled a Return to Competition Task Force "to plan for the return of fall sports competition as soon as possible," including a potential winter/spring schedule. That would include college football with the Big Ten exploring "the number of football games that can reasonably be played from a health perspective in a full calendar year while maintaining a premier competitive experience for our student-athletes culminating in a Big Ten Championship."

In the meantime, Warren noted the conference will continue to focus its decisions on the health and safety of its athletes. 

Penn State head football coach James Franklin understands the Big Ten's decision to postpone fall sports, but he's frustrated by the conference's process.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Franklin explained his frustration with the way the Big Ten went about things.

"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. 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," he said.

The Big Ten announced Aug. 11 it was postponing all fall sports because of the coronavirus pandemic and left open the possibility of shifting those sports to the spring.

Conference commissioner Kevin Warren said, "It became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall."

Six days before postponing the season, the Big Ten released a revised football schedule in which each team played 10 conference games running from Sept. 3 through Nov. 21. The Big Ten Championship Game was scheduled to take place Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Many people have expressed frustration in the wake of the Big Ten's decision.

Parents of football players from Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska and other schools recently sent Warren a letter asking for clarity on why the season was postponed, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

As well, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields started an online petition Sunday to ask the Big Ten to immediately reinstate the fall season. It has received more than 280,000 signatures.

In the wake of his online petition requesting the Big Ten allow a fall football season, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields addressed his mindset right now given the uncertainty around being able to play games. 

Appearing on Good Morning America on Wednesday, Fields said he's taking a "day by day" approach and hasn't thought about the possibility of a spring season or the 2021 NFL draft (starts at 2:37 mark):

Even though there could be college football games played in the spring, USA Today's Dan Wolken reported in July the NFL has no plans to move the 2021 draft back from its scheduled dates (April 29-May 1). A report by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport last week, however, indicates the league may be more open to adjusting its calendar.

Fields created the #WeWantToPlay petition Sunday, addressing Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren and the conference presidents and athletic directors:

"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 penalty or repercussion."

The petition has received 278,798 signatures as of Wednesday morning. It came as a response to the Big Ten's announcement Aug. 11 that conference presidents and chancellors voted to postpone fall sports because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the hope of potentially playing in the spring. 

Despite the increased pressure on the Big Ten, Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour told reporters Monday she doesn't see the conference changing its decision. 

"The presidents and chancellors made their decision based on science, based on the information from medical experts and based on concerns and uncertainty in a number of different categories," Barbour said. 

Fields was going to enter the 2020 season as one of the most watched players in the country. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 2019.    

The players of the Big Ten aren't giving up on the 2020 college football season without a fight.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields posted a petition Sunday on behalf of Big Ten players, calling on the conference to reinstate the season:

"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!"

The petition has reached more than 35,000 signatures within a little more than an hour of Fields posting the plea on his Twitter feed.

The Big Ten postponed all fall sports, including football, last week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pac-12 followed suit a day later. The ACC, Big 12 and SEC are currently planning to move forward with their fall sports schedule, though that is subject to change.

Several factors went into the postponement of the Big Ten season, which polarized college football as a whole. Some viewed it as a prudent decision by the Big Ten to avoid any mass spreading of COVID-19. Others noted that the cancellation came not long after players in the Big Ten demanded accountability and safety from the universities in order to play the 2020 season.

The NCAA has prohibited conferences and schools from making players sign liability waivers to play during the 2020 season, so they could be considered liable in the event of a mass spread of the virus or death.

Per Dan Patrick (h/t Brett McMurphy), Big Ten presidents voted 12-2 to cancel the football season, with only Iowa and Nebraska voting in favor of playing the season. 

The Big Ten has postponed all fall sports through the end of the 2020 calendar year, and parents of Iowa and Ohio State football players have expressed frustration and demanded answers regarding the Big Ten's decision, per ESPN's Heather Dinich.

Iowa football parents hand-delivered a letter to Big Ten offices in Chicago on Friday, per Dinich. The letter can be read in its entirety on the Gazette website. Part of the letter chastises the conference for making calls without players providing input:

"The fact that the Big Ten and the Council of Presidents and Chancellors made this decision with no input from those actually assuming these risk is appalling. The lack of unity, strategic planning, leadership and communication are why we are in the position that we are currently in. The unwillingness to provide transparent health information and the perceived hypocrisy of allowing the players to be exposed to some long-term life altering risks, seems to be acceptable."

The letter closed by imploring the Big Ten to reconsider playing a fall football season after further discussion involving more people and requesting a "prompt response."

Ohio State parents expressed similar sentiments to Dinich, with Corey Teague, the father of running back Master Teague III, saying this:

"It's unacceptable. It's something that needs more explanation because when you go in a certain direction and days later it changes, and no one has spoken to anyone else, and players weren't able to be involved in this decision, and the protocols that were put in by Ohio State were very successful. It's unfortunate and I don't know if it's shortsightedness there, lack of leadership, but it's definitely something that needs to be rectified and more dialogue needs to happen. It's just a very messy situation, and we want to clean it up."

The same went for Kristina Miller, the mother of sophomore offensive lineman Harry Miller, who told Dinich: "There's been no communication, no transparency, nothing to say what has changed in the last five days that we give you your schedule and we cancel the season within five days. There's been nothing."

Division I-FBS conferences have made individual decisions regarding the statuses of their fall sports. In addition to the Big Ten, the Pac-12, Mountain West and Mid-American conferences will not be playing fall sports before the end of 2020.

On the flip side, the ACC, Big 12 and SEC will look to represent Power Five leagues with fall sports, albeit with a slight delay into September.

The 2020 calendar year will mark the first time Big Ten football was not played since 1895, when the league previously known as the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives was established. The league's first-ever football season occurred in 1896.