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Based on reports from multiple media members on Sunday evening, but first had by David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press, the Big Ten Conference is making steady progress towards restarting their football season this fall after three presentations were made to the chancellors and presidents of the B1G.
SOURCE: All of the three Big Ten presentations--medical, scheduling and TV--went well today and there is a lot of optimism inside the conference from this weekend. (There was not a vote planned for today.)
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) September 13, 2020
While there was originally some hope that a vote would occur on Sunday, that was apparently never in the cards but should be happening “soon.” Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports also reported that the proposed return date is October 17th, which would allow the Wisconsin Badgers, who have currently suspended all football activity due to COVID-19, to start with the rest of the conference and get preseason practices in.
Sources: A comprehensive plan has been presented to the 14 Big Ten presidents/chancellors today, with an emphasis on medical protocols that have changed in recent weeks and are available to the league. No timetable set on vote, but expected soon. There's a lot of optimism.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 13, 2020
It is also noteworthy that reports say the entire conference will play if the presidents and chancellors vote to restart the season. There have been strong words against playing from the leaders of Rutgers and Michigan over the past week, so it is interesting that the B1G wants to show conference-wide solidarity.
If Big Ten presidents/chancellors vote to play football in the fall, then all B1G schools will play, sources told @Stadium. Earlier reports indicated if presidents voted to play, some B1G schools might opt not to play, but that will not be the case, source said
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 14, 2020
The players are still ready to play, although big time players like Ohio State’s cornerback Shaun Wade are still opting out of the season. We’ll see what happens this week!
— Garrett Groshek (@garrettgro37) September 14, 2020