It is not yet clear how the Big Ten will lay out its season, but Dan Patrick has shared with his radio audience that there is momentum moving in the direction of playing a season that starts in October. How many teams will suit up is still up for a discussion and a vote, but several appear to be in the fold.

Patrick referred to multiple reports over the weekend that suggested a vote by the presidents and chancellors would come soon, and now he confirmed other reports that said a vote would be this afternoon.

“They’re trying to get nine votes, there is real tangible evidence and optimism here,” Patrick said Monday morning based on a conversation with a source on Sunday. “That they’re going to be able to do these tests, that they’re going to get the rapid testing, and not everybody in the Big Ten’s going to play, but there is real optimism.”

The plan is to try to get nine games, or even eight, and see “who passes the look test” because a team might not play enough games like the other Power 5 conferences playing, and the hope is that the selection committee would see Ohio State or Wisconsin, if the Badgers play, and put them in the final four for the College Football Playoff.

Patrick previously reported that the Big Ten looked at starting on Oct. 10, but the conference waited a week, and now it’s Oct. 17 as a start date, with the Big Ten Championship ideally being Dec. 19, one day ahead of the CFP selection announcement.

“This is as tight a window as they can have, but I’m told you can expect Big Ten football,” Patrick said.