(This breaking story will be updated)
The Big Ten has reversed the decision league Commissioner Kevin Warren said would not be revisited.
According to multiple reports, conference presidents and chancellors have voted to resume the 2020 football season in the fall.
Nebraska president Ted Carter was overheard on a hot microphone earlier in the day on Tuesday indicating that “we’re getting ready to announce the Huskers and Big Ten football tonight,” according to a KETV-7 report.
Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel confirmed through sources that the hot mic comments by Carter were properly interpreted to mean that the league has voted to move forward with a 2020 fall season.
Nebraska president Ted Carter leaked news earlier that the B1G is set to announce it's 2020 football plan today. This is confirmed. Polls are closed. Votes are in. Time for #Badgers fans and their pals across the league to celebrate.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) September 15, 2020
Multiple national reporters have now confirmed Potrykus’ report.
Potrykus is reporting that the league will play eight games, four home and four away. The latest proposal submitted to the league’s presidents and chancellors indicated that the league would start on Oct. 17 and conclude with a championship game on Dec. 19. That format would include a potential bye week and/or makeup date.
Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports is reporting an Oct. 24 start date. Starting on Oct. 24 would necessitate that the league is able to complete all of its scheduled games on time with no reschedule dates in order to finish the campaign prior to the College Football Playoff’s scheduled announcement of its participants on Dec. 20.
There have been significant changes since the Big Ten announced its decision to postpone on Aug. 11.
Medical advances are at the forefront, with daily, rapid testing for COVID-19 the most important. Teams will now be able to confidently put a healthy team on the football field. There is now also greater clarity as it relates to myocarditis, a heart condition that results from COVID-19 and other infections.
Moreover, the league has watched as most other sports have successfully moved forward, including other college football conferences. The Big Ten has also faced significant pressure from fans, players, coaches and administrators.
It is still not clear when the Big Ten will formally announce its decision to move forward, although we now expect Wednesday morning based on multiple reports. It is also not clear at this time where the other fall sports stand.
The Big Ten was the first major conference to postpone football, and now the first to reverse course. The Pac-12 followed the Big Ten’s August decision but does not appear to have plans to follow the Big Ten back onto the field.
We will update this story with more information including any releases by the Big Ten, a revised schedule, details on whether fans will be permitted to attend, and much more.
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