The Big Ten's football season is back on.


After postponing the season in August because of safety concerns stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, the league said Wednesday it plans to start games the weekend of Oct. 23-24.


The Big Ten joins the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference in playing football during the fall term, leaving the Pac-12 as the only Power Five league sitting out.


The about-face comes after coaches, politicians, players and parents lobbied conference officials to reconsider, saying safety measures could be taken to combat the spread of the coronavirus. While that pressure may have helped, the improvement in testing capabilities ultimately swayed leadership.


Quidel Corp. said last week that it had created an antigen test that could produce results in 15 minutes and had already paired up with schools in the Big 12 and Pac-12. The University of Nebraska recently acquired 1,200 Quidel test kits.

So how would that work ranking/playoff-wise? They shouldn't be allowed on the playground since they're being dropped off late, right?

that's my concern as well. glad the Big 10 is playing but they are way behind on the timetable for post season. not sure how the timing will work out

I think a team should have to play 8 games minimum to garner any sort of consideration.

The Big Ten announced Tuesday that its Council of Presidents and Chancellors has voted to allow the league to play football in fall 2020. The Big Ten will open its season on the weekend of Oct. 24 with teams playing eight games in eight weeks and a Big Ten Championship Game scheduled for Dec. 19, sources tell CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd. That would make the Big Ten eligible for the College Football Playoff as the final CFP Rankings announcement of the season is set or Dec. 20.

The conference will now feature daily, rapid COVID-19 testing as a focal point of its return to play plan. Testing for athletes and coaches will begin on Sept. 30. The earliest an athlete could return to game competition is 21 days following a positive diagnosis. Additionally, the Big Ten unveiled new information on its plans for myocarditis screening in the wake of any positive tests. Both of those were major concerns that were among the main reasons for the Big Ten's original decision to cancel fall football on Aug. 11.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/big-ten-football-announces-return-to-play-2020-season-on-oct-24-with-eight-games-daily-rapid-testing/

So glad the SEC didn't buckle under the pressure of the KarenKonferences.

Congrats to the players, coaches, students, and fans of the BIG 10!!!

They've essentially set up a house of cards that won't withstand a 1 mph wind...