Big Ten teams start sprint toward unusual football season
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Indiana tight end Turon Ivy Jr. (84) and place kicker Nathanael Snyder (99) celebrate with the Old Oaken Bucket following an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Indiana tight end Turon Ivy Jr. (84) and place kicker Nathanael Snyder (99) celebrate with the Old Oaken Bucket following an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Sep. 16, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
A Nebraska fan stops to look at a giant inflatable football player standing in front of the Husker Hounds sports apparel store in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. It was put up Wednesday after the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to begin its NCAA college football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. Each team will have an eight-game schedule. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

A Nebraska fan stops to look at a giant inflatable football player standing in front of the Husker Hounds sports apparel store in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. It was put up Wednesday after the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to begin its NCAA college football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. Each team will have an eight-game schedule. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Sep. 16, 2020 05:08 PM EDT
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota football players hold up the Governor's Victory Bell after winning 31-26 against Penn State during an NCAA college football game in Minneapolis. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota football players hold up the Governor's Victory Bell after winning 31-26 against Penn State during an NCAA college football game in Minneapolis. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)

Sep. 16, 2020 10:53 AM EDT
FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren addresses the media in Indianapolis. The Big Ten’s plan to play football this fall includes trying to save lives in the future. The conference announced Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, it would have a football season this fall. The Big Ten is setting up a cardiac registry to study the effects COVID-19 has on student-athletes' hearts. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said it will help all students, surrounding communities, and the entire nation. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren addresses the media in Indianapolis. The Big Ten’s plan to play football this fall includes trying to save lives in the future. The conference announced Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, it would have a football season this fall. The Big Ten is setting up a cardiac registry to study the effects COVID-19 has on student-athletes' hearts. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said it will help all students, surrounding communities, and the entire nation. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Sep. 16, 2020 06:08 PM EDT
Memorial Stadium's north stadium video board projects the news of the return of Big Ten NCAA college football, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in Lincoln, Neb. Less than five weeks after pushing fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (Francis Gardler/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)

Memorial Stadium's north stadium video board projects the news of the return of Big Ten NCAA college football, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in Lincoln, Neb. Less than five weeks after pushing fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (Francis Gardler/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)

Sep. 16, 2020 03:48 PM EDT
University of Illinois athletic facility attendants Tyrone Washington, left, and Shawn Hannan, right, renew the line markers of the schools football practice field in Champaign, Ill., Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. Less than five weeks after pushing fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP)

University of Illinois athletic facility attendants Tyrone Washington, left, and Shawn Hannan, right, renew the line markers of the schools football practice field in Champaign, Ill., Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. Less than five weeks after pushing fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the Big Ten conference changed course Wednesday and said it plans to open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP)

Sep. 16, 2020 12:41 PM EDT