Michigan’s COVID-19 outbreak means no Ohio State showdown
Michigan canceled its annual rivalry game at Ohio State on Tuesday because of the COVID-19 outbreak within the Wolverines football program.
“The number of positive tests has continued to trend in an upward direction over the last seven days,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said. “We have not been cleared to participate in practice at this time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close contact individuals. This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making.”
The third-ranked Buckeyes played through what coach Ryan Day called a “mini outbreak” on Saturday in a 52-12 win at Michigan State after he was relegated to watching the game from home. Day is among the coaches and players in the program that tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to Ohio State canceling a game at Illinois.
While outbreaks have disrupted more than 100 games across major college football since late August, the problems with the Wolverines were closely watched in part because the Buckeyes have a lot to gain.
The Buckeyes have missed two games in this pandemic shortened season because of COVID-19 issues and one more would leave them unable to reach a conferencemandated minimum to be eligible for the Big Ten championship game.
The Big Ten, however, could decide Ohio State will still represent the East Division at least in part because the conference doesn’t want to hurt the Buckeyes chances of earning a playoff berth.
TWO STARTING STANFORD
RECEIVERS RULED OUT » On top of the challenges posed by being unable to practice at home, Stanford will also be shorthanded on the field when it faces Oregon State on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ESPNU).
Starting wide receivers Michael Wilson and Connor Wedington will miss the game because of undisclosed injuries, coach David Shaw said from Corvallis, Oregon, where the Cardinal is practicing. Wilson leads the team with 19 catches for 261 yards and a touchdown, the only score by a wide receiver this season. Wedington had 15 catches, tied for the second-most on the team, for 157 yards.