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ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes B1G capable of playing football this fall
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Football players at B1G schools are still practicing. They’re still preparing as if games will be played on Saturday afternoons this fall. So, why not just take it one step further and reinstate the schedule?
That’s the question ESPN’s Adam Schefter asked Wednesday morning on Get Up. And he’s got a point.
Three weeks have passed since the B1G backed out of the fall football season, focusing its attention on spring. However, there’s been a resurgence in hope that the league could reinstate a fall schedule after Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that a restart around Thanksgiving week was under consideration.
Optimism grew on Tuesday, when President Donald Trump said he spoke with commissioner Kevin Warren and had a “productive conversation” about starting the season immediately. However, it still seems like there are plenty of hurdles in the way to attempt to play in October.
No, it won’t be easy, but Schefter says that, since teams are already practicing, the B1G should take that next step.
“Here’s what investing to me, the Michigan football team is practicing,” Schefter said. “They’re practicing every week day. On Tuesday and Thursday they lift. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays they practice. They practice as if they have a game this week. They are going through all of the motions and actions that they would if there were actually a season. What is the difference if they play one more game on a Saturday? They’re preparing and acting as if they are having a season. They’re doing everything that they ordinarily would, they’re just not having a game on Saturday.
“I think this country in a certain way, for football, has made progress. I know college is a different atmosphere, but I’ve been so surprised and impressed with the NFL that with these colleges, like Michigan, you’re going through as if you’re playing a game on the weekend. Why can’t you just do that at that point in time?”
Playing this fall would require the B1G presidents to reverse course, which would be unlikely following an 11-3 vote in favor of postponing the season. But, anything is possible.
Right now, it appears that a spring model for the B1G is still the top option.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB