By: Chandler Hubert
The fall means shorter days, cooler weather, changing leaves, and of course, college football. However, in August the Big Ten announced its 14 teams would not be a part of their year’s fall traditions. Players, parents, coaches, and fans were all devastated by this announcement, but with COVID-19 cases increasing in Maryland, Michigan, and Wisconsin, this was seen as a wise, responsible decision. Until they took it back.
The conference gave into the peer pressure from other conferences, parents, players, coaches, and the president of the United States. Unprecedented times lie ahead, with perhaps another surge of COVID-19 cases waiting in the cold fall months.
So how is this possible?
Hundreds, thousands of antibody tests and rapid COVID-19 tests, in addition to mandatory quarantine. Michigan State students were told to self-quarantine after the school announced 342 new cases. Despite the rising cases at colleges like Michigan State, the Big Ten will kick off their season the weekend of October 24th.
The Pac-12 originally followed the Big Ten in cancelling the season, however, with the Big Ten’s return, the Pac-12 will most likely follow.