Big Ten spring football season could open in January as league pushes to start soon as possible
MADISON, Wis. – Big Ten officials are working on a revised football schedule that could feature teams starting their season in early January.
Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour said Monday during a Zoom meeting with reporters that the league could release the revised 2020 schedule within a week or so.
Multiple college football people told the Journal Sentinel Tuesday afternoon that Big Ten officials have decided to start the season as early as possible.
That decision would allow players to finish their season before the 2021 NFL draft, currently scheduled to be held April 29 through May 1.
The Big Ten announced Aug. 11 it was shutting down all of the league’s fall sports because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but hoped to move the football season to the spring semester.
Parents of Wisconsin football players were briefed about the plan Tuesday and were told it involves the use of indoor facilities. They were also told league officials are still uncertain how a shortened season would affect the eligibility of players, particularly seniors. A final decision could be made within a week.
Several indoor facilities that could be used by the Big Ten for games are home to NFL teams. Those are: Indianapolis (Colts), Minneapolis (Vikings) and Detroit (Lions). Other possible facilities are in St. Louis and Syracuse.
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The final week of the 2020 NFL regular season is set for Jan. 3. The Colts and Lions are scheduled to play at home that weekend. The Vikings are to play the Lions at Ford Field.
The current NFL schedule has wild-card games set for Saturday Jan. 9 and Sunday Jan. 10. Divisional round games are set for Saturday Jan. 16 and Sunday 17. The conference title games are to be played Jan. 24, which is a Sunday.
