Report: Pac-12 medical advisors could recommend pausing, not canceling, 2020 football season
When it was reported on Monday that the Big Ten was about to cancel its 2020 football season, it was also reported that the Pac-12 was expected to follow suit.
Obviously, neither thing happened as of late Monday night, but the possibility is still open moving forward.
On Monday night, Utah doctor Dave Petron joined ESPN Radio and said the Pac-12 medical experts were planning on recommending a pause for football activities until criteria was put in place for testing:
News: UofU doctor tells @ESPN700 that #Pac12 medical advisors will recommend to "stop contact and competitive activities at this time" until criteria in place to move forward, including testing protocol – frequency will depend on rate of community spreadhttps://t.co/WFSHGJGQUd
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) August 11, 2020
Pac-12 reporter Jon Wilner took to Twitter to say there’s a chance the Pac-12 pauses the season without canceling, especially since Petron said that, with regular testing, college football is a reasonably attainable goal:
Listening to Dr Dave Petron interview makes me think some chance (still <<< 50) that #Pac12 announces a pause tomorrow, not cancellation
"If we can test on a regular basis … I think we can play college football. But right now … we're not ready for that." https://t.co/NaiZofj40K
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) August 11, 2020
Then, Wilner tweeted out a plan of his own, saying the Pac-12 could potentially start in late-October, play 8 conference games and then have a title game on Dec. 19:
This timeline is possible, as I've said before, if the #Pac12 is willing to be patient:
Aug 11: suspend football
Sept. 28 camp starts
Oct. 24: openers (8 games)
Dec. 19: title game https://t.co/7bUQ9Cwj7u— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) August 11, 2020
Clearly, a lot is still up in the air regarding the Pac-12 and the 2020 football season. Anything from a full cancellation to a delay to playing as scheduled is still on the table.
Tuesday could be a big day in determining the plan moving forward for this Power 5 conference.