Ultimately, the Big Ten blinked.
Why? It was necessary.
The conference looked at the financial implications, the potential fall out for its future as a primary factor in big-time college football and listened to understandable building outrage from players, coaches, parents and fans.
So it’s back.
It’s a risk, but a calculated one at this point.
What we’ve learned since the return of sports is widespread testing is the key. There have been remarkably few positive COVID-19 tests from the NBA bubble, NHL hub cities and the NFL. Major League Baseball had severe issues early, but has done much better lately.
There has been plenty of in-your-face sports played and remarkably few infections as a result.
Well, so far.
The coming flu season is an obvious concern. So is containing mostly 18-to-22 year olds in some sort of bubble.
The ACC has already postponed games and LSU coach Ed Ogeron recently proclaimed most of his defending national championship squad contracted COVID-19.
The Big Ten’s late start is less than ideal. The conference dragged its feet too long before reversing course. There is little, if no, wiggle room.
The vision of the Big Ten’s leadership has come across as uncertain more than clear. Like pretty much everything involving the pandemic, there is a feeling college football is flying blind.
The Big Ten has joined the flight into the great unknown. This is the classic example of the power and popularity football has in our society.
No tail wags the dog more than football in Power 5 conferences. When the SEC, ACC and Big 12 chose to play this fall, it was inevitable the Big Ten would, too.
So enjoy the games, cross your fingers, knock on wood and hope for the best.