In case you’ve been in a turkey-induced coma over the last 48 hours or so, we’re here to tell you that Ohio State made the decision to cancel the game against Illinois this weekend because of some rising positivity rates of coronavirus testing.
The Buckeyes didn’t technically surpass the conditions that would necessitate a shutdown based on the Big Ten protocols in place, but the decision was made with the health and safety of the student-athletes in mind. And while that’s the most important thing here in the midst of an ever-increasing threat because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there are some football implications to discuss.
Here are five things to know about where things stand with the 2020 Ohio State football season, and what it all means.
NEXT … No room for error now
One more game canceled contest means no Big Ten Championship Game
When the Big Ten conference finally made the decision to reinstate the fall football season, it did so with not only medical protocols in place, but also some competition policies. One of those is that a team must compete in six games to be eligible for the Big Ten Championship Game.
There have now been two games missed because of coronavirus outbreaks, this one and previously against Maryland. The Buckeyes are 4-0, but now, the best OSU can do is 6-0, right on that magic number according to Big Ten policy. That means there is absolutely no room left for error. Not being able to play this coming weekend against Michigan State, or in two weeks in The Game against Michigan would mean OSU is out of the Big Ten Championship Game.
Unless, that is, the conference decides to change its policy (HINT: It won’t bow to pressure).
NEXT … There is optimism
Ohio State is optimistic it can still play against Michigan State
But wait. While it would be prudent on the surface to think there’s no way Ohio State can be ready to play this coming weekend with a mandatory 10-day isolation policy and three-week return-to-play protocol in place with the Big Ten, that doesn’t tell the full story.
During a press conference with reporters on Saturday morning, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, head coach Ryan Day, and Dr. James Borchers confirmed that the Buckeyes did not cross the thresholds for positivity rates to shut things down. It was done more out of an abundance of caution.
There was even optimism that the team could get back on the field for practice this coming week and be ready to play against Michigan State. For that to happen though, it will be data-driven with results showing no more considerable issues with positivity results.
NEXT … The impacts on the College Football Playoff
Ohio State and the College Football Playoff
It is very important to note that there is no official number of games that need to be played in order to be eligible for the College Football Playoff. So, not making the Big Ten Championship Game has little impact on what the Committee thinks about OSU.
The Buckeyes could play only one more game, be 5-0, and still be considered one of the four best teams. However, not having an opportunity to stake their claim against perhaps an undefeated Northwestern team, or win another title, will factor into comparing teams against others.
As an example, the Committee already placed a one-loss Clemson over OSU in the initial rankings. Partly because of the eye test, but also largely because the Tigers are 7-1 as opposed to OSU’s 4-0. The number of games against quality competition will have a bearing, but not as much as it does in the Big Ten.
But hey, we’ve seen Ohio State be the flag-bearer for trying to break the College Football Playoff rankings almost every year, so why change things in 2020 of all years?
NEXT … Justin Fields’ Heisman chances are probably gone
So much for Justin Fields winning the Heisman
It’s not fair, but it’s going to be really, really hard for Justin Fields to win the Heisman trophy now. He would be the first to tell you that team goals mean much more than individual awards, but we all know the competitor he is and what it would mean to bring home the bronze statue.
With only a potential for seven total games at most to make an impression, it’ll be hard to get back on top of the race. Already Trevor Lawrence has been placed on the outside looking in because of his missed time with COVID-19, and you can almost bank on voters penalizing Fields the same way, especially since his last game against Indiana put some doubt in him winning the award anyway.
Now, that doesn’t mean that Fields can’t still make an unbelievable run if Ohio State finds a way to get back on the field and he makes the otherworldly seem possible through the last three games, but it’s a tall, tall order at this point.
NEXT … There will still be a game after the Michigan game
Ohio State will still be eligible to play in the “championship week”
Again, as long as everything gets back to a place in which Ohio State is comfortable in getting its student-athletes back on the field, the Buckeyes would get an extra game after the Michigan game. If it doesn’t play six games, it would still get to play a game that last week when all teams are supposed to be in action.
There is no consideration for the number of games played to be able to participate in the conference’s ninth week when it matches up teams from each division based on standings. In that scenario, the Buckeyes could potentially match up with say Wisconsin or Iowa. And while that would be a decent matchup for any potential College Football Playoff resume, it wouldn’t be the same as a championship.
Still, there’s that extra game there, and it could mean a lot when it comes to squeaking into the College Football Playoff. So, you’re saying there’s a chance? …
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