Big Ten, Penn State to play only conference games, 'prepared to' cancel season entirely

The Big Ten will play only conference games in all fall sports, including football, the league announced Thursday afternoon.

The decision cuts down on expenses and travel as coronavirus continues to spread in many regions of the country.

Big Ten football teams have nine conference games on the schedule. According to reports, a 10th conference game will now be added.

“By limiting competition to other Big Ten institutions, the conference will have the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic,” the league said in a statement.

The statement also left the door open to cancel the fall season entirely.

“As we continue to focus on how to play this season in a safe and responsible way, based on the best advice of medical experts, we are also prepared not to play in order to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes should the circumstances so dictate,” it read.

For Penn State, the move to an exclusively intraconference schedule wipes out a marquee road game against Virginia Tech on Sept. 12. It also eliminates home games against Kent State on Sept. 5 and San Jose State on Sept. 19.

Around the conference, canceled high-profile matchups include Ohio State’s trip to Oregon on Sept. 12 and a game between Wisconsin and Notre Dame at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field on Oct. 3.

A West Virginia home game with Maryland on Sept. 19 is also off.

In a statement released by the university, Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour lauded the Big Ten’s decision.

“This announcement represents a step, a very important step, that will help provide consistency, clarity and some control over the situation,” Barbour said. “We feel in order to establish the safest environment possible for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and our community, this is the best path forward.”

As she has consistently, Barbour indicated a willingness to do everything possible to avoid the cancellation of the fall season.

“We remain optimistic about our ability to play sports this fall and in the 2020-21 academic year,” she said. “We have no doubt it will look, feel and act differently than we have become accustomed to over time. But giving our student-athletes the opportunity to compete in the sport they love and have played their entire lives is important to them individually and us collectively, as well as to the psyche and viability of our community. Please have no doubt, it’s not more important than health and safety, but it cannot and will not be easily cast aside.”