The Big Ten’s ultimate decision to postpone the 2020-21 college football season didn’t come as a huge surprise to many. It did, however, seem rather premature considering the circumstances.
Just last week, the conference released a revised 10-game schedule with two bye weeks that would allow some flexibility in case players tested positive for Covid-19.
The football schedule starts as early as the weekend of Sept. 5 with final games slated for Nov. 21 to align with academic calendars. The Big Ten Football Championship Game remains scheduled for Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium, though it could be moved as late as Dec. 19. pic.twitter.com/vWp3OSifBc
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) August 5, 2020
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The SEC, ACC, and Big 12 are all moving ahead with the intent to play football this year, while the PAC 12 mirrored the Big Ten and suspended all fall sports.
Fox Sports’ Aaron Torres dropped by The Fan Morning Show with Jeff & Big Joe to voice his displeasure with the Big Ten’s verdict.
“To me, I just feel like the fear of what could possibly happen down the road…I don’t think it’s the reason to cancel the whole season,” Torres told Jeff and Joe.
The Big Ten has canceled fall football. What an embarrassing, GUTLESS decision by the school Presidents. To bring players back, put them through insane protocols for 3 months only to cancel the season before a single padded practice – when the protocols were WORKING – is sicking
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) August 11, 2020
He pointed out that other conferences really have nothing to lose at this point by continuing to try and make a season work.
“I think at this point, it’s a zero-loss situation for the SEC, Big 12, and ACC,” Torres said. “Because if they can push forward with a season, obviously they look incredibly good, the Big Ten looks incredibly bad. But if they go through two, three, four weeks of practice…and 80% of their team somehow has Covid and they have to shut it down, at least they tried.”
Whether it’s recruiting or the negative impact on local economies, the ramifications of the Big Ten’s stance are widespread. Only time will tell if the right call was made.
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