4 Northwestern players optout
Northwestern is down to two returning starters on defense after end Samdup Miller and safety Travis Whillock opted out of the pandemic-shortened season.
Also opting out Friday were quarterback Aidan Smith and tight end Jason Whittaker.
Miller made eight starts as a junior last season before missing the final four games because of an injury. He had 29 tackles in 2019. Whillock was honorable mention All-Big Ten as a junior last year with 78 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
Smith played in eight games and made six starts a year ago, passing for 760 yards and three touchdowns. Whittaker played in two games as a redshirt freshman.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald said Northwestern “completely” supports “the decision each young man made during the spring and summer as they evaluated their personal circumstances.”
Alabama coach Nick Saban tested negative in a follow-up test for COVID-19, leaving open the possibility of a return to the sideline for the game Saturday against No. 3 Georgia. Saban’s test Thursday came back negative, and if he tests negative Friday and Saturday, he would be allowed to coach the second-ranked Crimson Tide.
Kansas coach Les Miles was cleared to return to the Jayhawks after testing positive for COVID-19, but out of caution, he will skip the team’s trip to West Virginia for the game Saturday.
The SEC postponed next week’s game between Missouri and No. 10 Florida, the third league contest moved this week because of COVID-19 outbreaks. The Gators had at least 21 players and coaches test positive and dozens more quarantined because of contact tracing. Because of the SEC’s safety protocols, Florida likely would not have gotten everyone back in time to practice and prepare for Missouri.