For the first time since 1917, the University of Michigan's football team will not face Ohio State in 2020 after the Wolverines cancelled the game due to a coronavirus outbreak among its players and staff.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel explained Tuesday that the Wolverines have not even been cleared to practice this week following the cancellation of last Saturday's game against Maryland due to 12 COVID-19 cases on the team.
The cancellation leaves third-ranked Ohio State with just five games on the season - one fewer than the six required to qualify for the Big Ten Championship against Northwestern.
The rule for the 2020 season states that the conference can choose to lower that threshold if the average number of games played by its member schools falls below six.
Big Ten athletic directors could also vote to allow Ohio State to play in the championship game, regardless. A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the matter.
The cancelled game was to be the 117th installment in the rivalry, which began in 1897. Michigan leads the all-time series 58–51–6, but Ohio State has won the last eight meetings.
For the first time since 1917, the University of Michigan's football team will not face Ohio State in 2020 after the Wolverines cancelled the game due to a coronavirus outbreak among its players and staff. In this picture, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, bottom right, leads his team out of the Michigan Stadium tunnel before a game against Wisconsin on November 14
The Big Ten could also decide Ohio State will still represent the East Division at least in part because the conference doesn't want to hurt the Buckeyes chances of earning a playoff berth. Big Ten athletic directors will meet Wednesday to discuss that possibility. 'I just think we have to take a hard look periodically at all this stuff and this is one of those situations,' Buckeyes coach Ryan Day (pictured) said Tuesday. 'If we don't quite get the game we need to get in the championship game, I think that needs to be looked at hard, just like anybody else in the conference. There's no easy solution in times like this'
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel (left with coach Jim Harbaugh) explained Tuesday that the Wolverines have not even been cleared to practice this week following the cancellation of last week's game against Maryland due to 12 COVID-19 cases on the team
Without going into specifics, Manuel addressed Michigan's outbreak in a statement.
'The number of positive tests has continued to trend in an upward direction over the last seven days,' Manuel said.
'We have not been cleared to participate in practice at this time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close contact individuals. This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making.'
Last week, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said team meetings that were scheduled to be done in person would be conducted virtually after an increased number of presumptive positive COVID-19 tests.
With the move to cancel the game in Columbus, Ohio, it spares Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh (pictured) what would likely be another lopsided loss. The Buckeyes beat Michigan 56-27 at the Big House last year in Day's first game as head coach in the series and extended their winning streak over the Wolverines to a school-record eight straight
The Wolverines canceled last weekend's game against Maryland because they had at least 12 positive COVID-19 cases within the football program, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The size of the outbreak has not been disclosed by the school and the person spoke to The AP only on condition of anonymity.
With the move to cancel the game in Columbus, Ohio, it spares Harbaugh what would likely be another lopsided loss. The Buckeyes beat Michigan 56-27 at the Big House last year in Day's first game as head coach in the series and extended their winning streak over the Wolverines to a school-record eight straight.
Harbaugh fell to 0-5 in the rivalry last year, continuing a trend that has seen Michigan lose 15 of its last 16 games to Ohio State to knock some luster off one of the greatest rivalries in sports. Harbaugh's winless record as a coach in The Game is often scrutinized. That's especially true this season because Harbaugh has one year left on his contract at the school he led as a quarterback in the mid-1980s.
The Big Ten could still allow OSU to represent the East Division at least in part because the conference doesn't want to hurt the Buckeyes chances of earning a playoff berth
As for the Buckeyes, the Big Ten could still allow OSU to represent the East Division at least in part because the conference doesn't want to hurt the Buckeyes chances of earning a playoff berth.
Big Ten athletic directors will meet Wednesday to discuss that possibility.
'I just think we have to take a hard look periodically at all this stuff and this is one of those situations,' Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said Tuesday. 'If we don't quite get the game we need to get in the championship game, I think that needs to be looked at hard, just like anybody else in the conference. There's no easy solution in times like this.
In response to the cancellation, college football fans began suggesting the Buckeyes play Texas A&M (pictured), which had its game against Ole Miss on Saturday postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Rebels football program
'I know those guys are going to come together and take a hard look at it and make sure it was the right decision.'
Day called a 'mini outbreak' on Saturday in a 52-12 win at Michigan State after he was relegated to watching the game from home.
Day is among the coaches and players in the program that tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to Ohio State canceling a game at Illinois.
While outbreaks have disrupted more than 100 games across major college football since late August, the problems with the Wolverines were closely watched in part because the Buckeyes have a lot to gain.
In response to the cancellation, college football fans began suggesting the Buckeyes play Texas A&M, which had its game against Ole Miss on Saturday postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Rebels football program.
Also on Tuesday, the regular-season football finale between No. 7 Cincinnati and No. 18 Tulsa was also canceled due to COVID-19 cases and contact tracing within the Bearcats' program. The two teams are scheduled to play December 19 in the American Athletic Conference title game.
One Sports Illustrated writer suggested that the Buckeyes and Aggies play in Memphis, which is about halfway between the campuses in College Station, Texas and Columbus, Ohio
No comments:
Post a Comment