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Report: Big Ten football likely to start Sept. 5

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/30/20

On Tuesday, GoldAndBlack.com associate editor Tom Dienhart wrote that the Big Ten college football schedule that will feature conference-only games due to the coronavirus pandemic could be released as soon as Friday.

Dienhart reiterated that point in a Thursday tweet. A source informed him that Sept. 5. is likely the opening date for the Big Ten season and that a full schedule could be out before Sunday.

Big Ten source tells me Sept. 5 start date for Big Ten looks likely. That was original start date for the league. Schedule should be out soon, maybe as soon as "next 24-48 hours," per source.
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) July 30, 2020

Earlier in the week, the NCAA declared that major college football teams are allowed to start campaigns as early as Aug. 29. Kansas and Oklahoma are currently scheduled to play that day.

On Wednesday, the ACC announced a "10 plus one" 11-game model that includes the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as a temporary member of the conference. Notre Dame is eligible to win the ACC Championship Game under the format.

No final decision, such as delays or cancellations, on football and other fall sports is expected from the NCAA before the end of this month.

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