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Ryan Day would have scheduled replacement for Maryland game if B1G approved
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Ohio State wanted to play this weekend. The Big Ten wouldn’t allow it.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day told the Dan Patrick Show on Thursday that he had hoped to play a non-conference game this weekend after their Saturday schedule unexpectedly opened up.
Ohio State’s game at Maryland on Saturday was cancelled after the Terrapins had an outbreak of COVID-19 on their team.
The Big Ten is only playing a conference schedule this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. As such, an out of conference game against a free opponent is against the Big Ten’s current restraint on the football schedule.
“I certainly would be in favor of trying to get it done,” Day said.
If Ohio State was allowed to play a non-conference game this weekend, Day said they would.
"I certainly would be in favor of trying to get it done," Day said.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) November 12, 2020
The Big Ten has already set the precedent of not allowing replacement games after Nebraska tried to schedule a nonconference opponent after its Week 2 game vs. Wisconsin was canceled.
The No. 3 Buckeyes have had a fast start to the season. Wins over Nebraska, at then ranked Penn State and this past weekend’s 49-27 win at home over Rutgers have pushed Ohio State squarely into the College Football Playoff conversation.
Now they face what should be their sternest test of their remaining conference schedule, a home game against No. 10 Indiana on Nov. 21.
Ryan Day, appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, said Ohio State began preparing for Indiana today.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) November 12, 2020
The outbreak of the virus nationally is wreaking havoc on the college football schedule. Last week, No. 13 Wisconsin against Purdue was cancelled after the Badgers saw an outbreak within their program. And this weekend, over half of the SEC games including four ranked teams were also cancelled due to testing protocols.