The annual feud between Michigan and Ohio State has been canceled due to an increase in COVID-19 cases last week under the Wolverines program, the school announced.
The decision was taken after discussions with medical experts, health department officials and the university administration.
Michigan Athletic Director Ward Manuel said the number of money tests has continued to rise in the last seven days. “We are not currently allowed to participate in practice. Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to the COVID-19 positives and the necessary quarantining of close contact persons.
“This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches, but their health and safety is paramount, and it always comes first in our decision making.”
Wolverine canceled his game against Maryland on December 5 and suspended all team activities. On Monday the program was cleared for limited workouts and he participated in workouts, but the administration decided to cancel the game last week due to the number of student-athletes in the case and quarantine.
Michigan says it will continue daily testing with the hope of returning to the practice area when cleared by medical officers.
Canceling the game puts Ohio State out of a total of five games played this season, under the threshold set by the Big Ten Conference to participate in the conference championship game against Northwestern.
The rule states that teams must play in six games to qualify for the championship game, unless the average number of games in the convention falls below six.
The Big Ten athletic director will meet on Wednesday, according to sources, when they may discuss changing the benchmark.
“I think we have to keep a close eye on all this stuff from time to time, and this is one of those situations,” Buccaneers coach Ryan Day said Tuesday. “If we don’t quite get the need to participate in the championship game, I think we need to look at it as hard as anyone else at the conference. There is no easy compromise in a time like this.
“I know those people will come together and take a hard look at this and make sure it was the right decision.”
Also, if Saturday’s second Big Ten game is canceled, Ohio State could revolve around conference games in an effort to play.
If Purdue, who canceled Tuesday’s practice to evaluate his latest COVID-19 test, had to cancel against Indiana, the Big Ten could revolve around the games or play Indiana and Ohio State again.
If the conference does not change its rules and Ohio State does not play Saturday, Indiana will become the East Division representative in the conference championship game.
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