Big Ten football is back!
After a cancelation, followed by weeks of speculation, the Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday morning that it would officially kickoff its football season on Oct. 23 and 24.
Each team in the league will play eight games with the season-ending Big Ten Championship played on Dec. 19, making the Big Ten eligible for the College Football Playoff.
“Our focus with the Task Force over the last six weeks was to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes. Our goal has always been to return to competition so all student-athletes can realize their dream of competing in the sports they love,” Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said Wednesday. “We are incredibly grateful for the collaborative work that our Return to Competition Task Force have accomplished to ensure the health, safety and wellness of student-athletes, coaches and administrators.”
The decision comes after a strong push from players, parents and government officials to let the league play a season. An official schedule has not yet been released.
The Big Ten joins the Big 12, ACC and SEC as major conferences playing a season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.