... Jim Harbaugh went on The Dan Patrick Show today, noting he hopes there's football this fall, even if not everyone can participate. That's probably a good stance to take, since it's not one college football world, to be sure.
Here's a little of what we're hearing, regarding some schools around the league…
It sounds as if Minnesota is going to face a tough time opening up, especially as early as September. Word has it they want more time to get squared away in the face of the Coronavirus, and they are not planning to play any football in September. That in itself is not terribly unusual, since we've heard and reported before there's a good chance the non-conference season could be wiped out, all or in part.
But it sounds like there's more hesitation in the Land of 10,000 Lakes than a hopeful pointing toward a Big Ten season. So they might be the first domino to fall. Wisconsin as well is said to be very much in wait-and-see mode.
Meanwhile, plans are being developed at Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana and Purdue. We all heard that Purdue plans to have students on campus in the fall, the first step toward creating a squared-away situation for football or other sports. But what hasn't been stated as clearly involves the imperative that there be ample testing for COVID-19 available in the eyes of the school's administration.
The others mentioned appear to be falling in line with that sort of thinking. They're leaning toward students and sports, but with some ifs attached.
Rutgers, given its proximity to New York, is another story. It will do whatever the governor of New Jersey declares. At this point, that would seem to indicate a dubious outlook for school on campus, and thus for football.
That leaves Harbaugh's team and seven others, developing their own contingencies and waiting to learn the direction of the Big Ten (and in the case of Michigan and Michigan State, of Michigan's governor). The conference is looking to make an initial call around June 15. More data, testing, etc., would obviously be available a month later, but television contracts and demands are pressuring that the deadline not be moved back.
By the way, although the more vocal members of The Fort will likely not approve, Notre Dame appears to be making progress in getting opponents from the Big Ten and the MAC. No details at this point.
Here's a little of what we're hearing, regarding some schools around the league…
It sounds as if Minnesota is going to face a tough time opening up, especially as early as September. Word has it they want more time to get squared away in the face of the Coronavirus, and they are not planning to play any football in September. That in itself is not terribly unusual, since we've heard and reported before there's a good chance the non-conference season could be wiped out, all or in part.
But it sounds like there's more hesitation in the Land of 10,000 Lakes than a hopeful pointing toward a Big Ten season. So they might be the first domino to fall. Wisconsin as well is said to be very much in wait-and-see mode.
Meanwhile, plans are being developed at Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana and Purdue. We all heard that Purdue plans to have students on campus in the fall, the first step toward creating a squared-away situation for football or other sports. But what hasn't been stated as clearly involves the imperative that there be ample testing for COVID-19 available in the eyes of the school's administration.
The others mentioned appear to be falling in line with that sort of thinking. They're leaning toward students and sports, but with some ifs attached.
Rutgers, given its proximity to New York, is another story. It will do whatever the governor of New Jersey declares. At this point, that would seem to indicate a dubious outlook for school on campus, and thus for football.
That leaves Harbaugh's team and seven others, developing their own contingencies and waiting to learn the direction of the Big Ten (and in the case of Michigan and Michigan State, of Michigan's governor). The conference is looking to make an initial call around June 15. More data, testing, etc., would obviously be available a month later, but television contracts and demands are pressuring that the deadline not be moved back.
By the way, although the more vocal members of The Fort will likely not approve, Notre Dame appears to be making progress in getting opponents from the Big Ten and the MAC. No details at this point.
