Here are four things to know about the state of the sport as it tries to navigate a global pandemic:
1. A big decision could come today.
ESPN reported late last night Big Ten presidents and chancellors are expected to meet at 10:30 this morning after athletics directors met last night:
…although they are still considering becoming the first Power 5 conference to postpone fall sports, the majority of their athletic directors aren't ready to "pull the plug," the source said.
While the most likely options seem to be pushing back the start of the season or postponing until the spring, it's certainly possible they wind up somewhere in between.
The Pac-12 reportedly is also scheduled to have a meeting of presidents and chancellors Tuesday.
2. The season could start Labor Day weekend. Or the last weekend in September. Or next spring.
A new Big Ten schedule was released last week with multiple open dates designed to allow for adjustment if games have to be postponed during the season while the Big 12 and SEC were looking at starting later.
Starting at the end of the month could allow schools more time to evaluate the spread of the virus locally and across the country and to evaluate potential long-term health concerns in young people who contract COVID-19.
3. Ohio State wants to play.
Ryan Day, the coach of the Buckeyes, told ESPN he would encourage a delay to the start of the season rather than a cancelation at this point following months of workouts and the beginning of preseason camp.
“Some of it is still learning about how the virus affects young men and the contact tracing, and there’s still things that we need to work through in terms of playing other teams and testing and those type of things,” Day said Monday afternoon. “But by pushing back the season, we can still figure out some of those issues. Whether we can play the season or not, I mean that’s up to the players and their parents and coaches in my opinion. But we have to figure out what the safest environment possible is and then present it to them. And for them not to at least get presented exactly what those things are I think would be a mistake.”
Cleveland.com reported incoming Ohio State president Kristina Johnson would vote against canceling the season when the time comes.
Ohio State Buckeyes coach Ryan Day calls for season delay, not cancellation @MarcusHartman https://t.co/0s1EcYb30o
— Dayton Daily News (@daytondailynews) August 11, 2020
4. Other leagues at various levels have already canceled.
The Mid-American Conference — including Miami University in Southwestern Ohio — canceled fall sports Saturday.
The MAC was the first FBS league to cancel, but other leagues in lower levels already had. That includes Dayton’s Pioneer Football League in the FCS, Central State’s SIAC in Division II and Wittenberg’s NCAC in Division III.
The Mountain West became the second FBS league to cancel fall sports Monday night.
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