Big Ten football fans should feel optimistic football returns sooner than later

If college football goes off without a hitch in the coming weeks, the Big Ten could be back soon.

A college football game will be played on Saturday, Aug. 29.

For college football fans, that’s a statement that might not have seemed possible just a few weeks ago.

For Big Ten football fans, it’s a statement that might signal the return of their brand of football sooner than later.

The more college football games are played, the more incentive the Big Ten will have to start their season.

Most of Friday was a whirlwind of news relating to the Big Ten’s plans for a return to football. A Thanksgiving start is being bandied about. A January season is still in the mix.

The prospect of an earlier-than-expected return for the Big Ten is likely linked to conferences elsewhere pushing forward towards a season. It’s looking all the more likely with football set to be played beginning this weekend.

“If Central Arkansas and Austin Peay goes off fine, and then you get into week one of the season, you’re looking at a disaster in the Big Ten because of how early they jumped on this,” Matt Barrie of ESPN told Paul Finebaum on Friday.

The ACC is planning for games to begin on Sept. 10, a Thursday night. Big 12 games are slated for that Saturday, Sept. 12. The SEC will start a bit later on Sept. 26.

The Big Ten can’t go back and reinstate the fall season if the season starts without a hitch in the SEC, ACC or Big 12, but they can certainly charge forward with a plan for a late fall arrival. The Thanksgiving proposal is on the table for a reason.

That’s why Big Ten football fans should take heart. If the SEC, ACC and Big 12 are playing games, it won’t be long until the B1G follows suit.

If those conferences can’t make it work, then the Big Ten can say “I told you so” while looking ahead to January.