BALTIMORE — What a whirlwind few months it has been for the Big Ten.
After initially postponing its football season in August because of coronavirus concerns, the conference reversed course and voted to return a month later with an eight-game, conference-only schedule. Advancements in rapid COVID-19 testing helped assuage fears about completing a season, paving the way for some of the nation's top teams to return. It comes at an awkward time, with three Power Five conferences — the ACC, Big 12 and SEC — having already played several games.
For the Big Ten, playing those eight games won't be easy. With no bye weeks built into the schedule, games postponed because of spikes in positive tests will be difficult to reschedule. As it stands, the conference is racing to complete a representative season before the College Football Playoff committee decides its four entrants, with the Big Ten championship game taking place Dec. 19, just two days before selection day.
That's the backdrop of this weekend's opening slate. Now, let's get into the games.
