Big Ten opts-out, will attempt to play in the spring
Moments ago, it was announced that Big Ten will choose to opt-out of the 2020 season. The league will attempt to play in the spring. The Big Ten becomes the first Power Five league to move to the spring. The presidents in the league made the decision earlier today.
The official statement from Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is below:
"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. 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.
"We know how significant the student-athlete experience can be in shaping the future of the talented young women and men who compete in the Big Ten Conference. Although that knowledge made this a painstaking decision, it did not make it difficult. While I know our decision today will be disappointing in many ways for our thousands of student-athletes and their families, I am heartened and inspired by their resilience, their insightful and discerning thoughts, and their participation through our conversations to this point. Everyone associated with the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions is committed to getting everyone back to competition as soon as it is safe to do so."
We’ve noted for a while the Big Ten and the Pac-12 were the Power Five leagues that were most likely to cancel. What will be interesting is to see what happens with traditional football powers like Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, and Penn State.
Will they attempt to join another conference for one season?
Would something like that be allowed? The ACC let Notre Dame in, but there was already a relationship between the two, would Ohio State be able to play in the Big 12?
Who knows, but for now, the Big Ten teams are out of the 2020 fall college football season.
Even Ohio State AD Gene Smith on an appearance on BTN, had this to say, “It happened a little earlier than we would have liked, but the medical experts helped us understand that we needed to do what we did today.”
Our partners at HailVarsity.com had this to say out of Lincoln, NE.
Nebraska Chancellor Ronnie Green, President Ted Carter, Athletic Director Bill Moos and football coach Scott Frost released a joint statement following the announcement.
“We are very disappointed in the decision by the Big Ten Conference to postpone the fall football season, as we have been and continue to be ready to play,” the statement said. "Safety comes first. Based on the conversations with our medical experts, we continue to strongly believe the absolute safest place for our student athletes is within the rigorous safety protocols, testing procedures, and the structure and support provided by Husker Athletics.
"We will continue to consult with medical experts and evaluate the situation as it emerges. We hope it may be possible for our student athletes to have the opportunity to compete.”
Nebraska coach Scott Frost spoke extensively about it on Monday, following the Huskers’ third practice of fall camp. He shared Nebraska’s desire to play, even if that meant looking outside of the conference to play.
“We’re committed to playing football at the University of Nebraska,” Frost said. “We’re a proud member of the Big Ten. I think it’s the best conference in the country. We want to play a Big Ten schedule. I think our university is committed to playing football regardless of what anyone else does.”
The Big Ten said any decisions regarding winter and spring sports will continue to be evaluated.
