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Reverse: Big Ten will try to play fall football after all

Players were pumped. Coaches were stoked. Fans seemed relieved. Even the president was pleased.

The Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all.

Less than five weeks after pushing fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference ran a reverse Wednesday and said it plans to open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24.

'œLet's goooooo!!!'ť Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields tweeted.

Amid the celebration, a word of caution: This is still not going to be easy.

'œWe can't emphasize enough that what we're putting forward still requires prevention, requires accountability from everyone involved from our student-athletes to coaches to staff to be doing the things to prevent getting this infection,'ť said Dr. Jim Borchers, the team physician for Ohio State. 'œAnd our progress will be measured by their efforts but also we hope by the efforts to provide a clean competition and practice environment.'ť

All 14 teams will be scheduled to play eight regular-season games in eight weeks, plus have the opportunity to play a ninth game on Dec. 19 when the conference championship game is played. The College Football Playoff selections are scheduled for Dec. 20, which means the Big Ten's best should be back in the hunt for a national championship - if all goes well.

If it does not, the schedule does not provide much room to adapt. Other conferences built in bye weeks, which allows time to deal with potential disruptions. The Big Ten itself did that back in early August, but now must go forward with a condensed schedule and signs that things could go awry.

Across major college football since Aug. 26, 13 games have been postponed because of teams dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks. Some have not been rescheduled.

The Big Ten is banking on daily testing to mitigate the risk of outbreaks and decrease the probability that a few positive tests will gut rosters when contact tracing sends players into 14-day quarantines. The Big Ten will begin daily antigen testing of all fall sports athletes, coaches and staff Sept. 30.

The Big Ten is taking an especially cautious approach with those who do test positive: The earliest an athlete will be able to return to game competition is 21 days after a positive diagnosis, and following a cardiac evaluation and clearance from a cardiologist.

'œWe're in a better place, regardless of how we got here or how painful it was during the time we waited to get this moment,'ť Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said. 'œThat's all behind us. What's beautiful is that we have a process and protocols in place that's based on science and based on lessons learned since Aug. 11.'ť

The Big Ten said its Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously to restart sports. The vote last month was 11-3 to postpone, with Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska voting against.

Still, the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania, won't be packed with 100,000 fans as is usually the case in the fall. Not even close. Tickets will not be sold to the general public for Big Ten games, though some attendance is expected.

That's still an 80,000-seat stadium that we don't have," said Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez, who had estimated the loss of football would cost the school $100 million.

The decision to play came after sharp pressure from coaches, players, parents and even President Donald Trump, all of them pushing for a Big Ten football season. The conference is home to a number of battleground states in the November election, and Trump swifly applauded the move.

Northwestern President Morton Schapiro, chairman of the presidents' council, said the turning point for him on giving the green light to football - even though many students have not been allowed back on his school's Evanston, Illinois, campus - didn't come until this past weekend.

'œFor me, it wasn't about political pressure, money or lawsuits,'ť Schapiro said. 'œIt was about the unanimous opinion of our experts. It evolved over the course of weeks.'ť

The Big Ten will take a bow, but the conference has been battered for a month and businesses in college towns from Nebraska to Maryland have lost millions in sales. First-year Commissioner Kevin Warren was the main target, criticized for a lack of communication and not providing enough information to back the initial decision.

'œWe have passionate athletes. We have passionate families and we have passionate fans,'ť Warren said of the blowback. "And so I take that from a positive standpoint.'ť

The Big Ten postponed fall sports just six days after unveiling a modified, conference-only schedule that was set to begin Labor Day weekend, and indicated it would try to make up the season in the spring. But there was no plan in place and the reaction included criticisim from the president.

'œI called the commissioner a couple of weeks ago and we started really putting a lot of pressure on, frankly,'ť Trump recalled Wednesday. 'œThere was no reason for it not to come back.'ť

Trump also took aim at the lone Power Five conference not yet scheduled to play: "There is no reason why the Pac-12 shouldn't be playing now.'ť

The Pac-12 followed the Big Ten in postponing play last month, but was far more detailed in its explanation and has more hurdles to clear. Half the Pac-12 schools are still operating under statewide restrictions that make it impossible for teams to even practice. The Pac-12 CEO Group is scheduled to meet Friday to discuss the conference's options.

As the Big Ten and Pac-12 bailed in August, the other Power Five conferences forged ahead, along with three other major college football leagues. Games have started, with the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference kicking off last week. The Southeastern Conference begins play Sept. 26.

Alvarez said Big Ten teams can begin practicing immediately.

'œThey never lost faith. They never lost trust. Their behavior through this time has been excellent, and they never stopped fighting," said Ohio State coach Ryan Day, whose team was ranked No. 2 in the preseason Top 25.

The new schedule comes with a twist. On championship Saturday, the plan is to provide each team an additional game, matching teams by their places in the division standings: No. 2 vs. No. 2, No. 3 vs. No. 3 and so on. Alvarez said those matchups could be tweaked to avoid rematches.

For now, the third Big Ten schedule of the year should be ready in about a week. Surely, it will rekindle excitement, but how much of it gets played is still uncertain.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, said she supports the Big Ten's decision but noted COVID-19 'œis still a very real threat.'ť

'œWe're all trying to do what we can to engage in some normalcy and keep people safe," she said. "There's not a perfect way to do this.'ť

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AP Sports Writers Larry Lage, Eric Olson and Mitch Stacy as well as AP Writer Aamer Madhani contributed.

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Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/

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More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

The Husker Hounds sports apparel store in Omaha, Neb., shows on television screens Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, a Big Ten virtual news conference to discuss the reopening of the football season. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to begin its season the Oct. 23-24 weekend. Each team will have an eight-game schedule. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State defenders Robert Windsor (54) and Jayson Oweh (28) cause Rutgers quarterback Johnny Langan (17) to fumble in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Northwestern celebrates with the Land Of Lincoln trophy after beating Illinois 29-10 in an NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 file photo, turf manager Jared Hertzel touches up the newly-painted Big Ten conference logo on the football field at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (Jacob Hannah/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2019, file photo, Iowa freshman running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., runs the ball for a touchdown against USC in the first quarter during the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game in San Diego. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (Bryon Houlgrave/The Des Moines Register via AP, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Michigan State wide receiver Julian Barnett (2) makes a catch in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota football players hold up the Governor's Victory Bell after winning 31-26 against Penn State during an NCAA college football game in Minneapolis. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Indiana tight end Turon Ivy Jr. (84) and place kicker Nathanael Snyder (99) celebrate with the Old Oaken Bucket following an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against Wisconsin during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, in Indianapolis. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2019, file photo, Rutgers NCAA college football head coach Greg Schiano speaks at an introductory news conference in Piscataway, N.J. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 19, 2019, file photo, Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm responds to a question during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days in Chicago. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 19, 2019, file photo, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz responds to a question during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days in Chicago. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, file photo, Mel Tucker, Michigan State's new football coach, speaks during an introductory news conference in East Lansing, Mich. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all.Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst speaks during a news conference for the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game in Indianapolis. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 19, 2019, file photo, Penn State head coach James Franklin responds to a question during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days, in Chicago. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) The Associated Press
FILE p- In this July 18, 2019, file photo, Maryland head coach Mark Locksley responds to a question during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days in Chicago. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 19, 2019, file photo, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh responds to a question during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days in Chicago. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) The Associated Press
The Husker Hounds sports apparel store in Omaha, Neb., shows on television screens Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, a Big Ten virtual news conference to discuss the reopening of the football season. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to begin its season the Oct. 23-24 weekend. Each team will have an eight-game schedule. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) The Associated Press
The Nebraska logo and flags incorporating the Big Ten logo are seen outside the Devaney sports center in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) The Associated Press
University of Illinois athletic facility attendants Tyrone Washington, left, and Shawn Hannan, right, renew the line markers of the schools football practice field in Champaign, Ill., Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. Less than five weeks after pushing fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP) The Associated Press
Memorial Stadium's north stadium video board projects the news of the return of Big Ten NCAA college football, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in Lincoln, Neb. Less than five weeks after pushing fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (Francis Gardler/Lincoln Journal Star via AP) The Associated Press
A Nebraska fan stops to take a picture of a giant inflatable football player standing in front of the Husker Hounds sports apparel store in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. It was put up Wednesday after the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to begin its NCAA college football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. Each team will have an eight-game schedule. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) The Associated Press
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