Big 12 Is Moving Ahead With Fall Football Season

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The Big 12 says its schools will start playing their conference games in late September, under a schedule that’s been reduced due to the coronavirus. The conference hopes to hold a championship game in December.





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According to the Big 12 board of directors, member institutions are scaling up their COVID-19 testing and safety protocols. For high contact sports like football, volleyball and soccer, players will be tested three times a week.

Non-conference football opponents must also adhere to protocols «that conform to Big 12 standards in the week leading up to competition.

«We are comfortable in our institutions’ ability to provide a structured training environment, rigorous testing and surveillance, hospital quality sanitation and mitigation practices that optimize the health and safety of our student-athletes, said Bowlsby.

Officials noted that their plans may be subject to change, especially as more information about the virus comes to light.

«If at any point our scientists and doctors conclude that our institutions cannot provide a safe and appropriate environment for our participants, we will change course, Boschini said.

According to the Big 12’s revised 2020 schedule, released on Wednesday, conference play will start on Sept. 26.

The conference is using a scheduling model of nine conference games and one non-conference, along with giving each team a minimum of two bye dates, with a potential third later in the season.

The championship game is scheduled for either Dec. 12 or Dec. 19.

Stands are likely to be less crowded than usual. The conference said that stadium capacities will be determined by each member school, working with government officials, in compliance with local and state health ordinances.