Current Sports host Al Martin talks with WKAR's All Things Considered host Sophia Saliby about the decision from the Big Ten to reverse its initial decision and play college football starting in October.
The Big Ten Conference made the announcement today that it will open its football season the weekend of October 24 after the conference noted that its Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously for the restart.
The conference points toward coronavirus medical advances as to why the decision was revisited.
The Big Ten will require student-athletes, coaches, trainers and other individuals that are on the field for all practices and games to undergo daily, rapid testing, starting September 30. Team positivity rates and population positivity rate thresholds will be used to determine whether teams must halt practice or play.
All COVID-19 positive student-athletes will have to undergo comprehensive cardiac testing and can’t return to play until 21 days after the positive test.
All 14 teams will play eight regular-season games in eight weeks, plus a ninth on December 19 when the conference championship game is held in Indianapolis.
Tickets for games will not be sold to the general public.
The Big Ten now joins six FBS conferences, including the ACC, Big 12, and SEC, in playing the fall season.