Pac-12 teams to forfeit games that can't be played due to COVID

The Pac-12 Conference is going back to its standard policy regarding forfeited games, ESPN's Kyle Bonagura reported on Thursday. 

Like many conferences and leagues throughout sports, the Pac-12 amended some of its rules in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2020 season, Pac-12 games canceled due to COVID-19 factors were considered no contests and did not impact the conference standings.

For the 2021 season, however, the Pac-12 decided to go back to counting games canceled due to player availability as forfeited losses, regardless of whether COVID-19 plays a role.

"Any forfeited contest shall be regarded as a conference loss for the team making the forfeit and a conference win for its opponent," the conference said in a statement obtained by ESPN. "The Pac-12 rule provides the Commissioner with discretion to determine whether an institution is at fault or primarily at fault for an instability to play a contest based on the facts of the situation."

The Pac-12 also updated its return-to-play protocols for the season, Bonagura reported.