With Big Ten football officially back on for fall 2020, the Pac-12 is now the only Power 5 conference not planning to play a fall season. After the Big Ten news, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott issued a statement addressing the status of a fall sports season in the conference.

Scott’s statement noted that in addition to COVID-19, there is currently another major concern on the west coast:

“At this time, our universities in California and Oregon do not have approval from state or local public health officials to start contact practice. We are hopeful that our new daily testing capability can help satisfy public health official approvals in California and Oregon to begin contact practice and competition. We are equally closely monitoring the devastating fires and air quality in our region at this time. We are eager for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to play this season, as soon as it can be done safely and in accordance with public health authority approvals.”

Some Pac-12 players, such as star Southern Cal WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, have shared letters calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to allow them to return to the field.

The clock is ticking for the Pac-12 to return in time to be part of this season’s College Football Playoff.