Could MAC reinstate fall football season this Saturday?

It appears the Mid-American Conference could become the latest collegiate body to reinstate a fall football schedule despite concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. 

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reported Thursday afternoon that MAC presidents plan to meet on Saturday to discuss the possible formation of a six- or eight-game season that could begin as early as Oct. 24. 

"There has been 'real positive movement' in the past 24 hours" toward the MAC instituting a fall season, Rittenberg explained. 

The MAC became the first FBS conference to cancel football and other fall sports due to the health crisis on Aug. 8. Both the Big Ten and Pac-12 announced postponements three days later, but the Big Ten reversed that decision earlier this week. It's believed the Pac-12 could also form an altered fall football campaign after the conference partnered with Quidel Corp. for daily coronavirus testing with rapid results for student-athletes and other personnel. 

The MAC likely would need similar testing protocols to return to play in October.