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As resident recruiting writer Caleb Houser sent in the LGHL group chat today, “This is a ride I never got in line for.”
This whole Big Ten saga has been a PR nightmare from the very beginning. The conference released a brand new schedule almost five weeks ago, and just five days after that scrapped the whole thing. Now we’ve spent the past four weeks with little to no information regarding when the league will return to play, and almost every day someone claims to know something which has turned out to be incorrect about 99 percent of the time.
This is how everything looks and sounds at this point:
BREAKING NEWS: Well-placed sources have confirmed the Big Ten presidents are getting ready or not getting ready to vote or not vote on playing or not playing football this fall.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) September 15, 2020
Remember: you heard it here first.
Take it to the bank!
Some are now claiming the Big Ten has already voted to re-instate the season beginning on Oct. 17. Some are saying the conference presidents have not yet brought things to a vote. Others are saying they are somewhere in the middle as they work out the details. Personally, I don't really know what to think at this point, but what I do know is that I can’t wait for this mess to be over.
From around Land-Grant Holy Land...
Ohio State performs virtual visit with four-star shooting guard
(Dan Hessler, LGHL)
Don't you miss the times where the one of the only uncertainties in college athletics were where the top recruits in the country are gonna commit and not whether or not an entire conference is going to play football this fall? Me too. Ohio State hoops is working hard on the virtual trail, hosting a ‘visit’ with the best player in New York in the 2022 class.
Buckeyes in the NFL: Week 1
(Tia Johnston, LGHL)
While Ohio State is yet to take the field as a team, their alumni in the NFL certainly put on a show in Week 1. Everywhere you looked around the league this past weekend, there were Buckeyes making plays. Chase Young was doing Chase Young things, J.K. Dobbins found the end zone twice, and Jordan Fuller made a huge play in his first NFL action. Ryan Day’s recruiting pitch gets easier every day.
How does Shaun Wade’s decision impact Ohio State?
(Gene Ross, LGHL)
ICYMI, Shaun Wade declared for the NFL Draft on Monday. While the star corner is leaving his options open in terms of a potential return to Ohio State if the Big Ten can come to a decision sometime soon, the Buckeyes do have the talent and the coaching to put together a solid secondary should Wade go get that paycheck he rightfully deserves. More from his father Randy on that decision later on.
From around the gridiron...
Today’s latest Big Ten fiasco began this afternoon, when Nebraska president Ted Carter was caught on a hot mic saying, “We’re getting ready to announce Huskers and Big Ten football tonight.” When directly asked about his comments a short while later, Carter claimed that his words were taken out of context, although it’s a little hard to see what possible context that would be.
Heard on hot mic, University of Nebraska president says #bigtenfootball announcement comes tonighthttps://t.co/EXd3fuHJ5i
— KETV NewsWatch 7 (@KETV) September 15, 2020
That is when all hell broke loose. Some continued to proceed forward with caution, but others claimed that the Big Ten returning this fall is a done deal. Jeff Potrykus, a member of the Wisconsin beat, went as far as to say Carter’s leaked comments had been ‘confirmed,’ and that the conference has voted to return to play.
Nebraska president Ted Carter leaked news earlier that the B1G is set to announce it's 2020 football plan today. This is confirmed. Polls are closed. Votes are in. Time for #Badgers fans and their pals across the league to celebrate.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) September 15, 2020
However, at the time this is being written, there is still no official word from the Big Ten or any of its member institutions. You really have to feel for the players in this scenario, as they more than anyone deserve to have a clear path forward. The back and forth on social media with people so quick to report on any and all rumors is playing a negative role on the mental health of those athletes, including Penn State’s Shaka Toney.
Everyone only thinking about football. The rumors y’all keep putting out is destroying our mental health. Just let them announce it please. If you care about players in the B10 just wait for the answer.
— Shaka Toney (@SackA_Toney) September 15, 2020
The momentum toward a mid-October start seems to have gained significant steam, but we could still have to wait a few more hours for any official word. According to Heather Dinnich of ESPN, the Big Ten is expected to come out with something “later tonight,” whether that be a vote in favor or against a return to play.
ESPN’s @CFBHeather is hearing good things about the #B1G decision tonight (FREE)https://t.co/jXkIKWWLQv pic.twitter.com/bqJzdO8JVq
— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) September 15, 2020
Shaun Wade’s father Randy, who has been a very vocal member in the fight to bring back Big Ten football, gave some clarity on his son’s decision to opt out. He says it was not COVID concerns, but a lack of transparency and communication from the Big Ten that led to Shaun declaring for the NFL Draft. With so much uncertainty in the B1G, Wade feels he is doing what his best for his career — and we can’t blame him one bit.
My wife & I never wanted Shaun 2 come back for 2020 season. Shaun wanted 2 come back. Graduate, Capt, Championship etc. As of today My wife & I wanted Shaun not to declare, Shaun didn't opt out there is no season He declared because of B1G circus & it was the best thing for him.
— Randy L Wade % f@❌ℹLy..... (@gslsff) September 15, 2020
Multiple Big Ten social media accounts have also joined in on Tuesday’s action, as Ohio State tweeted out a quick clip showing they’re anxiously awaiting an answer just like us.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 15, 2020
In terms of actual football that is currently being played, Chase Young is still good.
It took @youngchase907 all of...*checks notes*...one game to make a QB’s life miserable.
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) September 15, 2020
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/0h6jX24vEv
And a very happy birthday to K.J. Hill, the Ohio State school record-holder for career receptions. The former Buckeye wide receiver did not register a catch in the Chargers’ opening game against the Bengals this past weekend, but his time will come.
hbd, @KayJayHill pic.twitter.com/IINzuOO4uj
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) September 15, 2020
From everywhere else...
Expect to see many college athletic departments to make this same move, as schools want to encourage these young athletes to have their voices heard and vote in the upcoming election. If you don't like how things are currently going, you should vote too.
The Minnesota athletic department just announced that it will not conduct any athletic-related activities on November 3 to free up student athletes to vote on Election Day.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) September 15, 2020
If you had “poor air quality cancelling MLB games on the West Coast” on your 2020 Bingo card, then you are in luck. Climate change is incredibly real, and we are seeing it play out in real time as wildfires continue to wreak havoc on a large portion of the country.
With the awful air quality in Seattle postponing tonight's game between the Mariners and Giants, the question of how the West Coast fires will affect MLB down the stretch is very real, particularly with the ALDS and ALCS scheduled in California.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 15, 2020
In other MLB news, the league has officially announced its playoff bubble, which will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The National League will play their postseason games in Texas, while the American League will play in California (for now). The World Series will take place in Arlington, TX at the new home of the Texas Rangers.
The 2020 @MLB Postseason will begin with the AL Wild Card Series on Tuesday, 9/29, while Game One of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas will be played on Tuesday, 10/20. pic.twitter.com/KSzWMSAcBk
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) September 15, 2020
If you watched the first Monday Night Football game last night between the Giants and Steelers, you noticed that it was announced by the usual college football primetime crew with Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler on the call. It was a far superior product than most if not all crews ESPN has put out there for its NFL games in recent years.
Monday Night Football is way better when the guys calling the game are good at their job and Herbstreit/Fowler are unequivocally the gold standard.
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) September 15, 2020