Pat Freiermuth
A BYU fans sits among the cardboard fan cutouts during an NCAA college football game against North Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger, Pool)
Takeaways: Playing through pandemic predictably frustrating

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 21, 2020 10:08 PM EST

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)
Big Ten teams start sprint toward unusual football season

By Michael Marot Sep. 17, 2020 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Parsons was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. Parsons and Oregon tackle Penei Sewell are among 11 players selected who are not slated to play this fall. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Parsons, Sewell among AP preseason All-Americans not playing

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 25, 2020 12:00 PM EDT

Gates leading into Memorial Stadium are padlocked, in Lincoln, Neb., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The Big Ten won't play football this fall because of concerns about COVID-19, becoming the first of college sports' power conferences to yield to the pandemic. The move was announced Tuesday. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
NCAA doc sees narrow path to play as Fields starts petition

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 16, 2020 01:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) looks on as Oregon plays Auburn in an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
College football in the spring: When? How much? Who plays?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 12, 2020 03:26 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Penn State All-American Micah Parsons is opting out of the 2020 season because of concerns about COVID-19. The junior linebacker made his announcement with a social media post Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Players unite in push to save college season, create union

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 10, 2020 04:02 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, members of the Miami of Ohio team pose on the field after the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Central Michigan, in Detroit. The Mid-American Conference on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, became the first league competing at college football’s highest level to cancel its fall season because of COVID-19 concerns. A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press the university president’s voted to not play in the fall and consider a spring season. The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was still being prepared.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
As college leaders meet, football players push to play

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 09, 2020 10:34 PM EDT