Michigan was forced to cancel Saturday's game against Ohio State because of a roster ravaged by COVID-19, raising two big questions for the Buckeyes.
Will they be shut out of the Big Ten championship game? And will that impact their candidacy for the College Football Playoff?
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel hopes not.
Before the season began, the Big Ten determined that teams would have to play at least six of their eight scheduled games to be eligible for the conference championship game. No. 4 Ohio State has only played five, with three having been canceled due to COVID-19.
Manuel said the Big Ten should revisit that decision.
"I don’t believe that anybody, Ohio State or any other team, should be punished because of decisions we made by looking at eight games and saying we (have to) play six, and not knowing the effects of what happens to their team because of what happens to (another) team," Manuel said. "So I would be open, and I think the conference would be open, to having a discussion about whether or not we should make adjustments, whether or not the schedule should be adjusted to either get Ohio State to play enough games or to play in the championship game with five.
"But I don’t think we should just hunker down and say, 'Well, we said six, so that’s going to be it.' I think the conversation deserves to happen to see if we can have any adjustments made. These are unprecedented times for everybody, and we need to make sure that we are flexible and make decisions based on the data that we have."
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There's a possibility the Ohio State-Michigan game could be rescheduled for Dec. 19, if the Wolverines reduce their COVID-19 numbers. Manuel said he'd welcome the matchup.
"From my perspective, that would be great. We will play whoever is going to be scheduled for us," he said
And looking further ahead, Manuel said the Buckeyes belong in the College Football Playoff.
"I just want to make it clear: I think Ohio State is one of the top four teams in this country. Deserves the opportunity and the conversation about their success this season and would be a great representative to the College Football Playoff, if they are chosen," Manuel said. "So for me, that’s where I stand. And I am going to work with my colleagues in the Big Ten and commissioner (Kevin) Warren to help make the best decision for us moving forward."