The Big 12 doesn't yet intend on following the Big Ten and Pac-12 in postponing or canceling football and other fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuesday afternoon, Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports reported that the Big 12 was still leaning toward playing this fall ahead of a 6 pm ET call among conference presidents.
"The mindset is it's too early," a Big 12 source reportedly said. "Unless the medical folks flip the switch, [we'll go]."
The Big 12, ACC, and SEC all continue to monitor developments as it concerns the uncontrolled virus outbreak. After the Big 12 canceled its virtual media day in late July, league commissioner Bob Bowlsby explained that a final decision on football and other fall sports would be made at a later time.
Dr. Cameron Wolfe, a Duke infectious disease specialist who also serves as chair of the ACC’s medical advisory team, recently told Michael Smith of Sports Business Daily he believes football seasons can begin, as scheduled, this fall.
"We believe we can mitigate it down to a level that makes everyone safe," Dr. Wolfe said.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey tweeted on Monday that he intends to remain patient before making a call on fall seasons:
Best advice I’ve received since COVID-19: “Be patient. Take time when making decisions. This is all new & you’ll gain better information each day.” @SEC has been deliberate at each step since March...slowed return to practice...delayed 1st game to respect start of fall semester..
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) August 10, 2020
...Deveoped testing protocols...We know concerns remain. We have never had a FB season in a COVID-19 environment. Can we play? I don’t know. We haven’t stopped trying. We support, educate and care for student-athletes every day, and will continue to do so...every day.
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) August 10, 2020
Meanwhile, Nebraska head coach Scott Frost, Penn State's James Franklin, and Ryan Day of Ohio State have all suggested they could look to play outside of the Big Ten if other universities and conferences conduct fall football campaigns.
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