The entire Big Ten conference must feel a little like Neo in the Matrix, dodging bullet after bullet with this coronavirus pandemic. While Ohio State deals with its own coronavirus outbreak and tries to get healthy enough to plays this Saturday at Michigan State, we now have word that the Buckeyes’ arch-rival Michigan is also making the decision to pause team activities due to presumptive positive COVID-19 testing results.
The news was first shared by the Michigan Insider.
The Michigan Insider has learned that the Michigan Football program is pausing team activities effective today based on presumptive positive tests. The team was alerted to the shutdown earlier this morning. Whether this is a momentary stoppage or something lengthier will depend upon “confirmatory PCR test results.” All meetings planned for the day will commence virtually in order to continue the preparation for Saturday’s matchup with Maryland if it winds up not being canceled.
Our sister site, Wolverines Wire, also has the comments of head coach Jim Harbaugh confirming the pause on activities. We want to stress at this point that Michigan’s game against Maryland has not been canceled yet, and there will be a further status as to where things stand later in the week.
VIDEO: #Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh shares what went into the decision to pause team activities due to presumptive positive COVID-19 tests. https://t.co/vHn4DMRZAS
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) November 30, 2020
For now though, if you’re counting, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State, Maryland, and Michigan have all had enough positive tests to interrupt the season thus far. As we get further into the winter and cold and flu season, and as COVID-19 continues to rage on more than ever, simply getting things off the ground each weekend is going to be harder and harder.
We’ll stay on top of this as any further developments occur. Ohio State is scheduled to play Michigan in two weeks, and if the Wolverines aren’t in a position to do so because of a coronavirus outbreak, that too could derail OSU’s shot at playing in the Big Ten Championship game.
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