Will December Games Be Played at Ford Field, Other Indoor Venues?
The championship game on Dec. 19 will obviously be played in Indy, but what about the other games that day and in the rest of December?
Back in August, when we were looking at a January-March season, the Big Ten was reportedly talking to Ford Field and some of the other indoor venues. It will be interesting to see if those talks revive.
Within the Big Ten footprint, or close by, there are indoor stadiums in Detroit, Indy, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and St. Louis. There's also a venue in Atlantic City that hosted college games in the 70s that's still standing. Hell, what about the Superior Dome in Marquette? I'd love to see Michigan v. Wisconsin there on Dec. 11 as a prelude to those two teams meeting again a week later in Indy.
I'm guessing they'll just make those poor kids play outside in December - after all, the NFL does it - but it will be interesting to see.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:32 PM ^
It’s a Man’s Game - they can play outside in the winter.
Do you remember how much fun the fans and players had in the snow against Indiana in November a few years ago? I was there with elementary-aged sons: we all loved it!
This blog has some of the softest football fans.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:33 PM ^
Then...leave?
September 16th, 2020 at 12:35 PM ^
Nah - where else could I find blue kool-aid guy?
September 16th, 2020 at 12:39 PM ^
In your local grocery store ?
September 16th, 2020 at 12:35 PM ^
Are you implying that women can't play sports outside when it's cold?
September 16th, 2020 at 12:38 PM ^
? It’s a euphemism
If I hurt your feelings with that - apologies, but c’mon (wo)man!
September 16th, 2020 at 3:39 PM ^
You don't know what euphemism means, do you?
September 16th, 2020 at 1:14 PM ^
Is he also saying Jesus Christ can’t hit a curveball?
September 16th, 2020 at 1:20 PM ^
Jobu certainly couldn't.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:26 PM ^
Jobu can sure sell overpriced insurance though.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:43 PM ^
Bravo! Bravo! You sir are correct.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:02 PM ^
Yeah you’re a manly man, aren’t you, keyboard warrior.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:15 PM ^
?? ? ? ❄️
September 16th, 2020 at 2:20 PM ^
He's not wrong. There are constantly people whining on here about not wanting to play OSU at night or any other games at night in November because it will "be too cold".
September 16th, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^
I remember playing Minny In late November during the late ‘80s at Michigan stadium. It was cold. Snowy. Wind howling. Absolutely loved it.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:14 PM ^
On behalf of the millions who disappoint you, I apologize.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:39 PM ^
Spoken like a true incel!
September 16th, 2020 at 2:40 PM ^
playing outdoors in winter favors hairy people and/or Wolverines
September 16th, 2020 at 3:36 PM ^
NFL plays outside in December and January
September 16th, 2020 at 12:33 PM ^
Didn't they say all games would be on college campuses?
September 16th, 2020 at 12:34 PM ^
The main reason December games aren't played is the crowd response. No crowds removes the largest impediment.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:34 PM ^
Am I the only one who thinks this whole set up is dangerous and not thought out? Nine games in nine weeks is already more football without a break than any college team gets in a normal year
Not having any built in slack basically mandates that games are played. If an undefeated Michigan is playing an undefeated OSU for the big ten east title and we have an outbreak the day before, what happens? Do we forfeit? Is the game canceled with no result? Then who goes to indy? Doesn't this just encourage players to not test or share their results in fear of being positive?
In less than two weeks of football, we've had dozens of games postponed. The entirety of lsu is infected. Clemson is playing without starters. Things are going in the wrong direction and we're marching forward with less safety nets than before
September 16th, 2020 at 12:42 PM ^
To put it kindly/diplomatically, I think you are excessively risk-averse.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:47 PM ^
I said nothing about the risk to human lives that playing in a pandemic causes, which is an entire issue separately. I merely commented on the fact that even the logistics of the scheduling make zero sense. If you have answers to any of those questions, I'd love to hear them
September 16th, 2020 at 1:44 PM ^
The answer is there are going to be problems. But no one has provided a better solution, including yourself. You are the one complaining about the work others have done. The onus is upon you to prove you are right by describing the better alternative. It is easy to criticize and demand others do better. We have a possibility of playing a decent schedule and having post-season opportunities for the Big Ten. It might flop, but quit bitching and be thankful for the opportunity.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:51 PM ^
LSU is not infected now. That was over a period of months.
Dozens of games cancelled? Where?
September 16th, 2020 at 12:56 PM ^
Dozens was a bit of an over exaggeration but there have been a handful of games that have either been cancelled/postponed.
BYU/ARMY was scheduled for this week has been cancelled due to a small outbreak on the BYU team
Also, Arkansas St had to cancel bc they don’t even have enough guys to field a 2 deep.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:58 PM ^
Jacksonville State vs Florida International
Rice vs Houston
Florida International vs UCF
Marshall vs East Carolina
Louisiana Tech vs Baylor
SMU vs TCU
Houston vs Memphis
BYU vs Army
Central Arkansas vs Arkansas State
Virginia vs Virginia Tech
We have played two weeks of college football and all of those games have been canceled
September 16th, 2020 at 1:00 PM ^
That isn’t even a dozen.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:09 PM ^
I apologize for exaggerating the number, but remember those numbers are with 0 Pac 12, Big Ten, and SEC teams playing. Do you think there will honestly be zero instances in the big ten in which an outbreak will require a team to be unable to play?
September 16th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
Agreed, but no need to talk logic on here right now as that's not been the driving force behind opting back in to play.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:58 PM ^
Yes. To think it's not thought out is just absurd. There are reports that any team that tests more than 5% positive gets shut down. Players choosing not to test or share their results? How do you think that could be a thing? The team will be responsible for testing and it'll be mandatory. Forfeit? Probably, yes. I mean....come on. Just because WE don't have the info yet doesn't mean 14 multi-billion dollar universities binge watched Tiger King together then played rock paper scissors at the last moment to decide to play.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:14 PM ^
They've had since March to come up with plans for the season and they started working on it in...August. So I don't have the highest opinions of the presidents
And do we have any idea how the testing is organized? Can you confirm it's done independently from the school? If not, that's a huge conflict of interest
And what if two teams qualify for being ineligible to play each other? Double forfeit? They both get a loss?
September 16th, 2020 at 1:17 PM ^
Not the President's job to worry about athletics. It's the AD and the conference's job (also the NCAA) to figure it out. Not sure why you don't have the highest opinion of the presidents based on it
September 16th, 2020 at 1:03 PM ^
I understand what you are getting at and while it would be nice to have, the B1G screwed up any flexibility by throwing away 5 weeks.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:19 PM ^
You're not the only one. However, it seems many decisions these days are not driven by science or medicine but simply a desire to do what we want and return to normal. The players, coaches, and many fans want football back so that's the end of it. I applaud the Big Ten for at least waiting for rapid testing to be available but with all the flak they've gotten (including from their own players and coaches) they get what they want...play foooootbawww.
I have enormous respect for the UM coaches and doctors and I think they will do what's best for their players but that is only at our university. Like Sam Webb said, if Michigan could play themselves every week we'd be fine but fingers crossed that Rutgers can figure this out. The South? Forget it. We can only hope that test results cannot be hidden by the coaches and are instead in the hands of doctors and training staff, necessitating a player to sit out with a positive test. At this point, it's play at all costs and we will know the outcome in 5-20 years after the dust has settled.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:21 PM ^
“Doesn't this just encourage players to not test or share their results in fear of being positive? “
the players won’t choose when to test and choose what results they share
September 16th, 2020 at 1:23 PM ^
I get what you are saying. There is a risk there. Here's the alternative: no football.
The fans, alumni, donors, players, coaches, and current student body want the games to be played. If a safe protocol could not be instituted, I would prefer they opt out of the season. No reason to risk the health of fans and players alike over a game. I know, I know, it means the world to many. I'm just saying...
But...
They have a plan. If things go sideways and Michigan has to forfeit games 6 and 7 of their 8 game season then those are the breaks. We got a handful of games and that's a net positive.
Please don't think I don't want to put health and safety first. I do. But if both health and safety can be kept relatively in check, then I think the current plan is good enough. Maybe we only get 5 games or 3 games. But 5 or 3 is better than 0.
Open to thoughts on this though.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:54 PM ^
Honestly, Milk? Under those specific circumstances both teams would lie their asses off about positive test results.
And then play the game.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:42 PM ^
Awesome. It's been almost 30 years and I still think "the good land" every time someone mentions Milwaukee.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:45 PM ^
Does this guy know how to party or what?!?!?!?
September 16th, 2020 at 12:42 PM ^
Why would they need to play inside? Man Up and wear some nylons or under armour.
We are tougher in The North! It will be awesome if there is snow on the ground.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:42 PM ^
I remember flag football games at Mitchell in December. No fun. It's not snow ball, it's rock hard ground, icy, 0 degree wind chill ball
September 16th, 2020 at 1:21 PM ^
Flag football is your comparison?
September 16th, 2020 at 4:43 PM ^
Not comparing to the actual team playing. Just my own recollection of playing sports outside in Ann Arbor in December.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:33 PM ^
Once you get on the field and the adrenaline is pumping, you don't notice the cold temps. Your cleats icing up causing traction issues is the worst part of it. Probably safer though because no one can get to full speed to deliver knockout blows.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:53 PM ^
User pic checks out...
September 16th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
I thought those were going to be at Lambeau and Soldier field right before the Bears and Packers games?