Yes, COVID-19 is bigger than football.

At this point, we can all admit that. As much as we love our fall Saturdays, there’s a bigger threat to those than anything we’ve seen since World War II. The debates are flying about whether we’re going to even have a season, with some suggesting it could be moved until the spring.

The idea of a 10-game season has also been floated out there. That would obviously create a less-than-ideal set of circumstances.

But it got me to thinking about if we did have a shortened season. Like, maybe we just dig into conference play and wipe out everything. Or, perhaps we just start the season in October and all September games are canceled.

Let’s say the latter scenario is reality (something I think we’d accept if it meant we still got a 2020 football season). Here are the 5 B1G games this September that I would be extremely bummed to see canceled:

1. Sept. 12: Ohio State at Oregon

Remember when Michigan State and Oregon had that awesome home-and-home back in 2014 and 2015? That’s what this feels like. Two teams with major Playoff aspirations are going to square off in a game that we’ll be talking about for months before and after it’s played. I wouldn’t be surprised if both teams are in the top 6 or 7 nationally, and with good reason.

The thought of it getting canceled is awful. That’s partially because I want to see Justin Fields travel across the country to face one of the nation’s top defenses, and partially because I’m a sucker for a good, unique home-and-home. That’s what this is.

This, for my money, is the most important non-conference game for the Playoff picture. Can you imagine how difficult the Playoff is going to be to determine if we only have 10 games? Games like this are vital. They set the stage for conference power dynamics, as well. This is a massive game for both conference’s Playoff chances, but with that possible 10-game schedule, I’d have major concerns about this showdown.

2. Sept. 12: Penn State at Virginia Tech

Speaking of mammoth road games for B1G contenders on Sept. 12, the Lions are set to travel to Blacksburg to take on recruiting rival Virginia Tech. It’s an excuse to watch arguably the best intro in the sport. Remember when Ohio State kicked off 2015 there?

It’s also a “how good is Penn State” type of game early in the season. I’ve been somewhat critical of the Lions’ non-conference matchups in recent memory. As much as I like the Pitt rivalry — it’s a rivalry — it’s nice to see Penn State travel to face another legitimate Power 5 foe on the road so early in the season.

Again, games like this go a long way in establishing conference supremacy. If the ACC is going to again fall into the “Clemson and everyone else” narrative, it would probably be because Penn State walks into Blacksburg and hangs 40 on the Hokies. Will that happen? Will there even be an opportunity for that to happen? I don’t know.

What I do know is that James Franklin would prefer not to have his headliner non-conference game wiped out.

3. Sept. 5: Michigan at Washington

Again, sign me up for all the unique home-and-homes. Michigan opening the season up in Washington will be reminiscent of 5 years ago when the Jim Harbaugh era kicked off in Utah. Sort of. Instead of Harbaugh being the new coach, he’ll be facing one with Chris Petersen gone. How will Jimmy Lake handle that challenge?

Also, how will each team deal with a new starting quarterback? Both teams are trying to replace former 5-star talents who had up-and-down careers. Winning a game like this to kick off the year would surely go a long way in giving the new starter some confidence.

What I want to know is if any of these Sept. 5 games will be played as scheduled. Labor Day weekend seems so far away, but given the news that places like Ohio State have all online summer classes that’ll run into August, it seems like the opportunity for a traditional opening weekend becomes less likely by the week.

On a less important note, if this game isn’t played, that means we won’t get that inevitable in-game clip of Harbaugh trying to catch a fish toss at the market in Seattle. And man, what a wasted opportunity that would be.

4. Sept. 18: Iowa at Minnesota

A sneaky-good mid-September game won’t get national attention, but the Floyd of Rosedale will be worth it. Even though Iowa is riding a 5-game win streak in the rivalry, I’d argue it’s been closer than that would indicate. Four of those games were decided by 1 score, which could very well be the case this year.

It was the Hawkeyes who ended Minnesota’s undefeated start last year. Both were ranked for the first time since their 2003 matchup. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened again this year. You know, assuming it’s played.

The good news is that if they did elect to have a 10-game schedule, this game would be safe in Week 3. Could this be the opening weekend of college football? I don’t know. I think we’d all gladly accept that at this point if it meant we got a fall with live sports.

Anything to see that pig get raised, am I right?

5. Sept. 26: Wisconsin at Michigan

The B1G’s best September game in conference play isn’t until Week 4. That’s the good news. The bad news is that assuming anything is business as usual seems silly at this point.

Will we be playing football by late September? And will it be in front of fans? Nobody has an answer to those questions.

This is scheduled to be the fifth straight year in which these teams play (somehow), and maybe it’s finally time for the road team to put up a fighting chance? Perhaps that’s wishful thinking. This should, however, be a game with a ranked teams playing in a key crossover matchup. We’ll get all the Paul Chryst/Jim Harbaugh side-by-side graphics and Gus Johnson will probably lose his mind at least a dozen times.

Man, what I wouldn’t give for that right about now. I promise if we do get football, I’ll never take another one of his calls for granted.