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WE’RE BACK, BABY!
— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) September 16, 2020
After one of the most tumultuous months in recent CFB memory, the B1G will kick off an abbreviated season in October.
So, the Buckeyes will theoretically be eligible for the #CollegeFootballPlayoff, but it’s 2020, so who really knows? https://t.co/2LjSLaOXkY
We made it, fam. After a month of pure and utter chaos within the Big Ten community, the conference has finally announced its plan for a fall football season. Finally, the fake reports from unreliable sources have ceased, and Twitter, for the first time in a long time, is full of nothing but good news, humor and some pretty incredible videos.
CFB Twitter, we have to space out some of the epic tweets you're firing off today. Too much gold and not enough time for a single day.
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) September 16, 2020
While it was almost overwhelming to put together because of all the great content today, I tried my best to roundup all of the best tweets to paint a picture of how the day unfolded. (In case you missed it because you were, ya know, at work at 9:30 a.m. on a Wednesday).
First up, the Big Ten’s press conference:
If you click on the tweet below, Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors has a thread of all the main quotes that came out of the B1G’s presser, including details on medical protocols, rapid tests, season format and the schedule.
Big Ten press conference underway now.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 16, 2020
Ohio State team physician Jim Borchers praises the conference's collaboration on returning to play, and says: “We can't emphasize enough that what we're putting forward still requires prevention, it requires accountability from everyone.”
Cleveland.com’s Doug Lesmerises, a man of the people, straight up asked Kevin Warren why his communication over the last month, well, sucked. To which Warren answered (if you want to call it that) “...a lot of the criticism that has been displayed over the last couple months, I take it as, we’re passionate in the Big Ten. We have passionate student-athletes, we have passionate families, we have passionate fans.” Outstanding swerve, commissioner.
Commissioner Kevin Warren's full answer on his lack of communication with Big Ten players, parents and coaches over the last monthhttps://t.co/U6AqhE2AJ9
— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) September 16, 2020
Before you get too excited about the return of the football season, you should read the logistics of the season. The Big Ten is requiring players to sit out 21 days after a COVID-19 positive test so that they have a 7-day transition period back to football after 14 days away from the team. Ohio State Football head physician Dr. James Borcher says “this is a safe protocol that will allow us to complete this season ... If we need to adjust, we’ll adjust.”
So, the Big Ten (1) doesn't have a built-in bye week, (2) has a 21-day suspension of play for players testing positive and (3) has a shutdown threshold of 5% positivity rate on a team.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 16, 2020
Hang on to your butts.
Most importantly, the Buckeyes should still have the opportunity to compete in the CFP. Having Iowa AD Gary Barta as the CFP selection committee chairman definitely helps push the Big Ten’s case in that department.
Big Ten Network saying they have been in contact with the Playoff Committee and Selection Committee the 8 game schedule will keep the B1G in play for a spot. Iowa AD is the chairman of the Selection Committee.
— jbook™ (@jbook37) September 16, 2020
And now, Ohio State’s press conference:
The link below has the footage as well as all the main takeaways from Ohio State’s presser, which included Ryan Day, Gene Smith and OSU president Kristina Johnson.
Kristina Johnson, Gene Smith and Ryan Day discuss the Big Ten starting the season on Oct. 24, medical protocols and more. https://t.co/LsYKxQ0kLc
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 16, 2020
Ohio State certainly got a good one in president Kristina Johnson. As Smith said in the presser, “leading The Ohio State University in normal times as a challenge ... to come in and deal with what we were dealing with in the athletics space is a daunting task, and she’s been phenomenal. I can’t thank her enough for her tireless work.”
New Ohio President Kristina Johnson on one of the plusses of Big Ten getting back to play on Oct.24 weekend, "What I'm thrilled about is we get to play for all the marbles," in terms of at least being in running for College Football Playoff berth.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) September 16, 2020
Is someone cutting onions?
Ryan Day on Ohio State's players: "They never lost faith. They never lost trust. Their behavior through this time has been excellent, and they never stopped fighting."
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) September 16, 2020
As for the return of Shaun Wade and Wyatt Davis...
Under the NCAA’s rules concerning COVID-19, players are allowed to opt out and opt back in as many times as they’d like, as long as they do not receive any benefits after opting out. Neither Wade nor Davis have signed with an agent.
Opt-outs, per @NFLPA records ...
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 16, 2020
Signed w/agents: Penn State LB Micah Parsons; Michigan WR Nico Collins, OT Jalen Mayfield, CB Ambry Thomas; Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman; Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater.
Unsigned: Ohio State G Wyatt Davis, CB Shaun Wade; Purdue WR Rondale Moore. https://t.co/QKWK38LWiH
During his press conference, Smith had to step away because Davis was calling him. The plot thickens.
Gene Smith saying “Wyatt Davis is calling, I’ll be right back” in middle of the Zoom call is interesting, to say the least.
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) September 16, 2020
It wasn’t until later on Wednesday evening that we got the good news. It isn’t officially a done deal yet, but Wyatt Davis is opting back in. If everything goes smoothly — which we anticipate it should given the circumstances — it is a MASSIVE win for Ohio State as their best offensive lineman is making his return.
— Wyatt Davis (@wyattdavis53) September 16, 2020
Then, SportsCenter announced that Wade would be joining the show to talk about his decision (which obviously got my hopes up). But first, Wade’s dad, Randy, made an appearance.
Randy Wade asked on SportsCenter if Shaun will return to Ohio State: "We have a lot of things going on, and that's something that he's gonna think about."
— billlandis25 (@BillLandis25) September 16, 2020
Once it was Wade’s turn, he gave the fine people of ESPN quite literally nothing.
He basically said “I don’t know yet, I’m just trying to enjoy my birthday.” And logged off.
Appearing on SportsCenter, Shaun Wade said, "Right now, I haven't decided yet [if I will play]. I just want to enjoy my birthday." The OSU cornerback opted-out of the 2020 season Monday, but said he hasn't signed with an agent.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) September 16, 2020
Let the man enjoy his birthday!
— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) September 16, 2020
Reactions from Ohio State football players and staff:
PLAY BALL‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) September 16, 2020
Mood pic.twitter.com/Dh8Lk4Qwos
— Chris Olave (@chrisolave_) September 16, 2020
Soon pic.twitter.com/uuaJyaCLu3
— Marcus Williamson (@WW_Marcus) September 16, 2020
LESSSGOOOO!!! Better late than never ♂️ pic.twitter.com/GfKGSOlJ6J
— Drue Chrisman (@DChrisman91) September 16, 2020
— Dawand Jones (@dawand_jones) September 16, 2020
Dwayne Haskins on the Big Ten return: "Looking forward to Ohio State whooping on the team up north for the next 30 years of my life."
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 16, 2020
And my personal favorite...Justin Fields with big eyeball emoji-energy.
Fun times huh? @wyattdavis53 https://t.co/tF9vd1vmgk
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) September 16, 2020
Ohio Against The World.#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/6hcI78wq8Z
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 16, 2020
Plus some more good news and something to make Ohio State fans feel good. Oklahoma transfer RB Trey Sermon officially became a Buckeye on Wednesday with the removal of his black stripe.
Black Stripe Alert ‼️@treyera becomes the first Buckeye to lose it in the 2020 season! #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/6st11fG0re
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 16, 2020
Miscellaneous tweets that were just too good not to include. I saved the best videos for last:
Ohio State football's schedule page right now pic.twitter.com/Cj6UTihbrn
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 16, 2020
THE BIG TEN HAS ENTERED THE CHAT pic.twitter.com/k2R6PuSxXF
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 16, 2020
.@pac12 this feels awkward
— Faux Pelini (@FauxPelini) September 16, 2020
This wasn’t a “fun” tweet per-say, but if you see Jerry Sandusky trending on Twitter, this is why. And don’t get me wrong, I get Christine’s point that, ethically, it’s not exactly great that college football teams can get rapid tests from the U.S. government while hospitals, nursing homes, etc. cannot, but to call this “the darkest day in Big Ten history?” C’mon now.
Darker days in the Big Ten than today.
— Todd Lisenbee (@ToddOnFranchise) September 16, 2020
- Jerry Sandusky story and cover-up
- Larry Nassar story and cover-up
- DJ Durkin basically kills a kid at practice
- Ohio State wrestlers allege years of sexual abuse
But yeah, deciding to come back and play football is really dark. https://t.co/zyyNQFFrNx
This. This is the tweet. Also reiterated by Matt in his column today.
If your reaction today is anything other than unmitigated happiness for young athletes, their coaches, parents, etc. then you’re a dick.
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) September 16, 2020
Just to be clear.
If you watch nothing else today, you must watch the following:
The BigTen is back! Here’s how that zoom call went... https://t.co/WW9e7SRsCd pic.twitter.com/ttLYwPFDb8
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) September 16, 2020
We back. pic.twitter.com/OWtwgkxFMw
— Dana Lewin (@dana_lewin) September 16, 2020
— Saturday Tradition (@Tradition) September 16, 2020
We're back.#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/25Zyd0NP4M
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 16, 2020