The Big Ten released a statement July 9 stating that the conference will adjust their fall sports schedule to “conference only” for all fall sports during the 2020-21 academic year.
This announcement means all fall sports — including men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball — will only play teams in the Big Ten conference, eliminating all games against non-conference opponents.
The decision was based on medical precautions as the conference wants to limit travel and give scheduling flexibility amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Big Ten’s statement, shortening the schedule to conference-only gives the conference “the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic.