ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Michigan canceled Saturday’s home game against Maryland because of at least 12 positive cases for COVID-19 within the football program. The school has not released details of the coronavirus outbreak. While outbreaks have disrupted more than 100 games across major college football since August, the problems at Michigan are being closely watched. They could put next week’s rivalry game at No. 3 Ohio State in jeopardy and the Buckeyes need to play to reach the Big Ten title game.
UNDATED (AP) — The first step for No. 3 Ohio State is showing up at Michigan State this weekend. If the Buckeyes can do that, they have to like their chances of reaching another Big Ten title game. Ohio State needs to play the final two regular-season games to be eligible for the conference championship game. It’s going to be a close call after last weekend’s coronavirus-related cancellation against Illinois. That was the second game Ohio State has missed this season. The Buckeyes have two left: Saturday at Michigan State and the following weekend against Michigan.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — So far, so good for No. 3 Ohio State as it prepares to play Saturday at Michigan State. The Buckeyes voluntarily canceled last week’s game at Illinois because of a spike in positive COVID-19 tests at the Columbus facility. Coach Ryan Day was among the positive tests and will have to sit out when the team travels to East Lansing. Day says Ohio State is a little shorthanded but has been able to practice all week. The Buckeyes must play this week and next to be eligible for a Big Ten title.
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — No spectators will be allowed at the Rose Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1 because of state, county and city of Pasadena COVID-19 restrictions. The Tournament of Roses says it requested special permission to allow for a limited number of spectators or a select number of guests of players and coaches at the 90,888-seat stadium but was denied. Los Angeles County is under a stay-home order that took effect this week and runs through mid-December. Pasadena has its own public health department and can set its own rules, but has mostly followed the county’s lead during the pandemic.
UNDATED (AP) — The Big Ten’s delayed, shortened season has proved to be a day-to-day adventure. From the first day of practice in October, when the players and coaches donned masks to plod carefully through a pandemic, there was no guarantee things would chug along smoothly. And they haven’t. Between the numerous cancellations, the inexplicable collapse of several traditional contenders and Northwestern’s rise from last to first, pretty much anything goes. It’s a time when Northwestern is assured a spot in the conference title game after going 3-9 last year and 1-8 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats earned the division title this week without even taking the field.
UNDATED (AP) — Indiana’s Jack Tuttle says his sudden role change won’t alter his approach as he tries to make sure the Hoosiers withstand the loss of star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Tuttle will make his first career start Saturday when the 10th-ranked Hoosiers visit No. 18 Wisconsin. A victory would enable Indiana to tie a program record by earning its sixth Big Ten win of the season. Indiana has lost its last 10 meetings with Wisconsin. The Hoosiers’ chances of ending that streak became much tougher with this week’s news that Penix will miss the remainder of the season.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is taking nothing for granted in his team’s visit to Illinois on Saturday. The Illini beat the Cornhuskers 41-23 two weeks ago and were idle last weekend. Iowa had to hang on to beat that same Nebraska team 26-20. The 24th-ranked Hawkeyes have been rolling. They are seeking their first five-game winning streak in five years,and their seventh consecutive win over Illinois.
