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The sports-being-played-during-COVID-19 saga continues as games have already been canceled for this weekend, teams are pausing team activities and others are changing their locations. On the bright side, we received some good news out of the Woody Hayes Athletic Facility earlier today, but even if that all goes to hell in a handbasket again, at least we have the return of Ohio State basketball.
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From around the gridiron...
While this doesn’t mean we’re 100% on for Saturday, the fact that Ohio State determined it was safe enough for players to resume workouts in the Woody just a few days after all team activities were paused is good news! As long as there’re no new positive cases in both the Buckeyes’ and the Spartans’ buildings, I can’t imagine Saturday’s matchup getting canceled.
Ohio State update, per spokesman:
— Austin Ward (@AWardSports) November 30, 2020
Buckeyes who are not quarantined or in isolation returned to the Woody for small-group workouts today. All meetings are still being conducted virtually.
Folks, it’s still too early to panic. Worry? Sure. But panic? Not yet.
FWIW, @betonline_ag still has @OhioStateFB 3rd on its odds list to win the CFP, but dropping a bit to 9/2 behind Alabama 5/4 and Clemson 9/4. Notre Dame (6/1) is 4th.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) November 30, 2020
Minnesota’s game against Northwestern on Saturday has been canceled.
On Monday, Minnesota reported that 47 people — 21 athletes and 26 staff members — tested positive for COVID-19 since Nov. 19. They also canceled last Saturday’s game at Wisconsin after pausing team activities Nov. 24.
This is the first cancellation for Northwestern, who was on its way to clinching the Big Ten West last Saturday before losing 29-20 to Michigan State. The Wildcats will still win the division as long as the average number of games for each team in the B1G does not drop below six. They also can clinch the division by beating Illinois on Dec. 12.
Can we also talk about Northwestern’s football facility??!!
NEWS: This week’s game at Minnesota has been cancelled as @GopherFootball activities remain paused. Hoping for a quick return to full health for our friends in the Twin Cities. #GoCats pic.twitter.com/mmRMUNftTY
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 30, 2020
More bad news (non-COVID related this time). Indiana quarterback Michael Penix is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL he suffered in the Hoosiers’ win over Maryland.
Penix's injury is a torn ACL. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) November 30, 2020
Michigan will be holding everything virtually as they await the results of “confirmatory tests.” Harbaugh would not predict whether or not they will play this Saturday against Maryland.
Breaking - TMI has learned the #Michigan is pausing all team activities due to a few "presumptive positive" COVID tests. - https://t.co/k4YKlHa50l pic.twitter.com/vAYu6B1YmX
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) November 30, 2020
I am far too petty not to include this fabulous quote from Harbaugh in today’s Bits. He has had enough of people expecting results from his football team. Why can’t fans just appreciate the process that has been going on for six years and does not seem to have an end in sight?!
Jim Harbaugh, I think, for the first time all season, pushed back against critics, saying that those outside the program are more results-oriented instead of appreciating the process. Harbaugh called it "disdain for the process."
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) November 30, 2020
After Santa Clara County announced their strict COVID-19 guidelines, Stanford is expected to relocate somewhere outside California.
#Pac12 source: Stanford to announce out-of-state relocation in next 24 hours. Likely destination: Pacific NW
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) November 30, 2020
Ohio State is ranked No. 4 in ESPN’s final College Football Power Rankings for November, behind No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 3 Clemson.
ESPN releases final College Football Power Rankings for November: https://t.co/J5tCz6wwpm pic.twitter.com/FhJbeprO1j
— 247Sports (@247Sports) November 30, 2020
Can’t lose any games if you don’t have any.
RT if your team is one of the 13 teams that are still undefeated this season pic.twitter.com/gWvCewRmmt
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2020
From around the hardwood...
No. 23 feels right for the Basketball Bucks.
Ohio State Basketball holds steady at #23 in the AP after a 2-0 week. https://t.co/1w0YVwq0iE
— Connor Lemons (@lemons_connor) November 30, 2020
Define “very.”
very soon pic.twitter.com/diDpQUrVYW
— Seth (@seth_towns17) November 30, 2020
After 10 seasons playing in the NBA, former Ohio State star Evan Turner has accepted an assistant coaching roll for the Boston Celtics, focusing on player development.
Turner played for the Celtics for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, starting 57 games his first year before becoming one of first players off the bench in his following season. He averaged a combined 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and five assists per game in his two years in Boston.
Former Ohio State forward Evan Turner is retiring from the NBA and moving into a coaching role.https://t.co/fSLHWscr1j
— Scarlet & Game (@ScarletAndGame) November 30, 2020
Worth noting...
Hey 2020, there was a line. And you have officially crossed it. I’ve been going to this movie theater since I could walk.
NEW: AMC 'permanently' closes Lennox Town Center 24 location. https://t.co/giEibSOQHi pic.twitter.com/BEy9Jb0PzG
— WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) November 30, 2020