You’ve probably already heard the news, but the Big Ten is starting up its football season on October 24 and the conference will play an eight-game schedule. Reportedly, the school presidents/chancellors voted unanimously to resume athletics.
There are other rumors, so go ahead and blast away in the comments.
What do you guys think? How is this going to go?
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This is both awesome and stupid at the same time.
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Indeed. I’m going to go ahead and enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
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Just so happy. One of the few things left that I am passionate about. Curious who can come back and if the NCAA even considers people who dropped out and have not gone to class in a month or so. Obviously agents too. I would think they might at least consider given circumstances.
It does seem M got hurt pretty bad with departures, especially if Nico does not play. Why the heck Doesn’t Justin fields sit out!!!
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Have the players like Mayfield, Thomas et al already signed with an agent or can they come back to the team?
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From what I’ve heard, Thomas is dunzo. Mayfield MIGHT be able to play, but this was going to be a narrow window.
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UPDATE: Here’s a tweet from Orion Sang saying Mayfield is done: https://twitter.com/orion_sang/status/1306265610624667651
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Well, that’s silly. If Mayfield wants to prepare for the NFL, his best option to do so would be playing for a high-level D1 football team. Doing one-on-one drills everyday isn’t going to prepare him any better than actually playing the game.
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I agree. I could understand better if the season were being moved to January or March, because you want to get in some training time before the draft. But if the season is ending in December (or perhaps a January bowl game), then you’re basically right on track with where you would have been in a pre-COVID world.
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Disagree. The best way to prepare for playing in the NFL is practicing with/against NFL players. The best way to get to that spot is to get drafted. Mayfield’s got the second part dialed in already as long as he avoids a major injury or other health problem.
As a Michigan fan, I badly wish he was coming back, but from the perspective of him and his family it makes sense.
If your goal is to experience success at the college level, you should play. If your goal is to make it to the NFL – and you’re already a proven draft pick like Mayfield – then sitting out is the logical move.
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You might be right, but why aren’t OSU players leaving too? Makes no sense. Why are M players so much more aware of the benefits of practicing with NFL players? ( truly not trying to argue with you, you are probably right, just frustrated that OSU is hardly losing anybody)
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I’m frustrated by it too. I suspect they are rewarded for their efforts in ways that don’t strictly fall within NCAA rules and guidance.
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Because OSU legitimately has a shot to make the playoff and win a national championship. Michigan does not.
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Well unfortunately that makes sense too. Sucks though.
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Sad but true. Michigan is fighting an uphill battle in this one.
The good news in the context of OSU is the weirdo season structure, player health issues,
and shorter season all introduce a lot of uncertainty which can potentially contribute to some upsets.
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Great decision. I’m glad to see common sense won for once.
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I am excited to watch football (even if I am already angry that Michigan will be most hurt by opt outs)…..but I don’t see how you can argue that playing a full contact sport in a deadly pandemic is “common sense”.
The B10 is implementing the best testing and safety protocols they possibly can and we will cheer and bitch about the team……but there is still a ton of risk that this will result in some serious health issues because we want to watch or play a sport.
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