The Big Ten conference took its first huge step towards the 2020 college football season on Wednesday by releasing its 10-game, conference-only schedule fall. With the dates now set, teams have also received clearance to begin practicing in camp later this week.
As part of Wednesday’s schedule release, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren also revealed that teams will be allowed to begin training camp on Friday.
Big Ten releases 2020 schedule, teams can begin training camp
The move to a conference-only schedule allowed the Big Ten to better ensure the safety of student-athletes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With all 14 teams following the same COVID-19 protocols, the season will begin on Sept. 3.
Now that kickoff for the first game of the college football season is less than a month away, Big Ten football programs can begin training camp on Friday.
The conference has also established its COVID-19 protocols for the 2020 season, following the guidelines set by the NCAA. Under the policy, all Big Ten football programs must test their players twice a week fro COVID-19.
If any player tests positive for the coronavirus or comes in close contact with a carrier, per Ross Dellenger, they will be placed in mandatory quarantine for 14 days. Unlike the NFL, student-athletes will not be able to test out of quarantine before the 14-day period ends.