MADISON, Wis. – For the first time since Big Ten shut down all fall sports on August 11, resources close to the resolution have gone from hope to confidence that league football will be played in 2020.
Resources told the Journal Sentinel that they expected the Grand Council of Presidents and Chancellors to vote for the start of the season, with an October 17 goal.
The Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted, 11 to 3, last month to close all Big Ten fall sports due to considerations on the coronavirus pandemic.
Ohio State, Nebraska and Iowa are the 3 who voted to play.
Nine votes will be to overturn the original decision, and Wisconsin is expected to vote yes this time.
Sources noted that confidence and immediacy had played a key role in reversing the trend in favor of seeking to play this year.
UW athletic director Barry Alvarez has been talking about the importance of these tests, starting with a Zoom consultation on August 11.
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The Big Ten Medical Subcommittee made an official presentation Saturday to the league’s presidential committee, which includes presidents/chancellors from 8 schools.
The 14-member Council of Presidents and Chancellors reported on Sunday but, according to a source, did not hold a formal vote and the council is expected to vote this week.
An outing on October 17 would allow The Big Ten to play eight games in a nine-week window, with a game for the league name on December 19.
The school football playoffs are expected to be revealed on December 20.
Voting to play football this fall would crown a month that has caused uproar, dissent and embarrassment in the league since Commissioner Kevin Warren announced the closure.
The announcement, which included an eight-paragraph generic observation of Warren on the Big Ten Network, came six days after Big Ten officials revealed a 10-game schedule, with only championship games.
The lack of transparency in pronouncing closure, as well as Warren’s disappearance for nearly a week, led Ohio State, Penn State, Nebraska and Iowa enthusiasts to publish letters that were not easy answers to express.
Ohio State Quarterback Justin Fields filed a petition on August 16 asking the league to oppose its decision. More than 250,000 people joined the petition the next day.
Questions remained as to whether the Council of Presidents and Chancellors had held a formal vote or Warren had prompted the resolution to close fall sports.
Warren responded on August 19 by giving a more detailed explanation of the decision, but that satisfied parents, players and coaches at various schools.
An 8-player Nebraska organization filed a complaint on August 27 to overturn the league’s decision, and on September 1 President Donald Trump became concerned when he spoke to Warren before addressing Kenosha.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day posted a Thursday on Twitter denouncing the league’s lack of communication since the original decision.
It’s the last hotline:
“Our players need to know: why can’t they play?”
Approval of football’s start-up plan will be a critical step, but big ten groups may encounter up disorders that seek to cope with COVID-19.
SMU, TCU, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Virginia and Tulsa are among those who have been forced to postpone the games this season.
Football coaches and sports managers in the league perceive that the way forward can be difficult, but they are sure they will take that first step on October 17.