The Big Ten football season that never was (and what could have been)

This is the story of the Big Ten football season that never was and what could have been, including Ohio State’s national title pursuit with Justin Fields.

For the first time since the year 1918, the Big Ten won’t be playing a college football season, at least not in the fall, with the potential of a winter or spring season looming. With the league’s decision to postpone the fall season due to concerns about the coronavirus and the long-term effects of it, comes the cancellation of many of college football’s best storylines that had fans anticipating a great football season.

From top dog to underdog, the Big Ten had it all coming into 2020. With a Heisman favorite and national title contender, and a number of All-Americans, Saturdays will look a lot different without Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Nebraska and the rest of the league’s teams in action.

Along with those storylines, the college football world will miss out on one of the toughest divisions overall, as well as seeing some of the best players take the field in the 2020 season—some of whom won’t be returning to college football, instead heading into the NFL.

Let’s look at some of the things we’ll be missing out on with the postponed fall Big Ten football season.

The rise of the Big Ten’s lower and middle-class

As mentioned above, aiming to compete with some of the conference’s powerhouse teams, the Big Ten also has its fair share of teams looking to knock them off their perch—some, with recent successes. We’ve got a team challenging from the throne, a team reaching for success in the middle, and a team looking for a fresh start.

By missing out on the 2020 season, we’re going to be missing another step in the culmination of P.J. Fleck’s rebuild of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota lost talents like Tyler Johnson and Antoine Winfield last season but returned a majority of last year’s 11-2 team, including quarterback Tanner Morgan who could be one of the top players under center in the Big Ten, and potentially the 2021 draft class. Last season’s team was their best in decades, but we’ll miss out on seeing if the Gophers could have taken that next step.

Another patented underdog storyline we’ll miss out on the next chapter of comes in the form of Lovie Smith’s continued rebuild of Illinois. From Santa beards to clean-shaven, fans of all facial hair types will miss out on seeing if Lovie’s team, which finally climbed to six wins last season and featured in a bowl game for the first time in years. Missing out on the fall season is a big blow to the progress that the Illini have made, which included wins over Wisconsin, Purdue and Michigan State last season.

Though the farthest behind in their rebuild status of the three mentioned here, Maryland is another team that was set up for a big, if not just intriguing, season in 2020. Having brought in a big name in Alabama transfer quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, which may have finally solved their ever-elusive quarterback issue.

Mike Locksley also brought in multiple community college transfers in an attempt to help rebuild this Maryland team, as well as flipping five-star receiver Rakim Jarrett from the LSU Tigers to head up an impressive recruiting class.

Year 3 for Scott Frost at Nebraska

Expectations were high (read: too high) last year for the Nebraska Cornhuskers under second-year head coach Scott Frost. Needless to say, things didn’t quite go according to plan. The Cornhuskers finished 5-7 and missed a bowl for the third year in a row.

Nebraska would’ve come into 2020 looking to claw back into the postseason, attempting to solve the offensive problems on a side that put up just 25.1 points per game in Big Ten contests.

Quarterback Adrian Martinez was set to return to the squad for 2020, as well as sophomore wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who could’ve ended up as one of the top all-purpose talents in the conference.

The Huskers finally would’ve had a stronger chance at keeping Martinez injury-free, thanks to a more complete offensive line that comprises of players in their natural positions. Familiarity buys time, and if a healthy Martinez can have time to make his reads and operate, this team could finally have clicked under Frost, living up to expectations of attaining bowl-eligible status.

The intriguing slate of non-conference games

It doesn’t take embellishment to see that without the Big Ten playing collegiate football this season, in addition to the storylines, we’re missing out on what could’ve been some matchups between some of college football’s top teams.

Just in terms of out of conference schedule, we’ll see big-time games like Ohio State vs. Oregon, Michigan versus Washington, Iowa vs. Iowa State, Miami vs. Michigan State and Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame all canceled.

It’s logical to say that when one of college football’s biggest and best conferences cancels their season, we also lose out on some of the game’s best non-conference matchups. Naturally, the first game that stands out is the Big Ten’s top team in Ohio State, heading out to the PNW to take on the Oregon Ducks—a showdown that had top-five potential.

In addition to that heavyweight brawl, we’re missing out on the revival of the in-state rivalry between two solid programs in the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones. With such a stacked schedule planned for 2020, there are plenty of games that won’t fit in one article.

“The Game” that never happened

Perhaps one of the most unsung sadnesses that will come from the cancellation of the Big Ten season is that we won’t get to see the latest chapter in one of the game’s most historic rivalries.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines are known for their rivalry,  on and off the field, and the game is always one circled on calendars across the country. Its history is full of blood feuds, animosity and sometimes down-right hatred. Anytime two teams won’t even name the other school, you know it’s going to go down on the gridiron.

The game had initially been moved backward in the year to October to increase flexibility so it could be played, but now the historic rivalry won’t be played at all, a massive blow to the incredible and deep history that the Big Ten brings to the table.

If the game had stuck on the postponed date, it would’ve brought an even more interesting environment to the game. It would have been the first time the two teams had gone head-to-head in the final week of the regular season since 1942.

This game always comes with a huge weight for both programs, but with an Ohio State Buckeyes team that was gunning for glory a win, or a loss, could’ve had a huge impact on their season.

Rivalry games have gone by the wayside

In such a historic conference, it’s only natural that some of the nation’s best teams line up to go head to head against one another year in, and year out.

Thanks to the absence of the 2020 season, we’ll miss out on the next chapter of rivalries like Ohio State playing at Penn State. The Buckeyes’ high-powered offense led by Justin Fields (more on him later) won’t be taking the field against Micah Parsons and a strong Nittany Lions’ defense. The game likely would have had Big Ten title implications, but not anymore.

It’s not just the top teams that lose out on rivalry games, though. Northwestern and Illinois were set to meet again, and for two teams that are working on climbing back to consistency within their conference, those games always come with an edge that keeps them interesting.

One of my personal favorites as a new Indiana resident comes in the Indiana-Purdue rivalry. Over the years this game has tended to be more exciting on the hardwood than the gridiron, but with Indiana returning a strong group of player from last seasons eight-win team, and Purdue (ideally) healthy after dealing with an injury bug last season, this game could’ve been one for the ages.

On the other side of things, the upstart Minnesota Gophers that we mentioned won’t be taking on their in-conference rival Wisconsin Badgers. A game that always comes with a bit of edge and vitriol of its own, this year’s game would also have been the first in quite some time that likely would’ve been a deciding factor in the Big Ten’s Western division.

Every team in the conference has rivals, and that leads to lots of fun matchups during the in-conference periods. With so many trophies changing hands, and so many rivalries along the way, we’ll miss out on more than just these three games in the 2020 season.

Ohio State’s title pursuit

The Buckeyes have been the favorite for years on end it seems like when it comes to Big Ten football (and a numerous amount of other sports in the conference). There wasn’t to be any type of change to that mindset heading into 2020.

Should there have been a conference, it’s not unlikely that Ohio State would’ve won the conference—and maybe even the national title.

Head coach Ryan Day stated that this year’s team could’ve been legendary. It’s not hard to wonder why, with Heisman-contender quarterback Justin Fields returning to his roster, especially when you combine that with one of the best receiving corps and offensive lines in all of football.

Even with the questions on the defensive end of things — it’s never easy to replace players like Okudah and defensive end Chase Young — you could almost have gone ahead and given the Buckeyes the conference title, it’s clearly still the best team in the Big Ten.

That is if the season had actually happened.

Justin Fields’ Heisman bid

After finishing third in last year’s Heisman race behind Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts, both now gone to the NFL, you can bet the Buckeye gunslinger was rearing and ready to go for this season, seeking to make this his year to claim the trophy.

As the betting favorite to win, Fields had all the tools needed to do just that. He had great help all the way from the coaching to the offensive line, and back again to the receiving corps. Add that to Fields being one of the highest potential prospects in this year’s draft class, and you’ve got a lock for success, even with fellow phenom Trevor Lawrence also seeking out the award.

Should Fields have had the successful season that most think he would have in 2020, it could’ve meant a Heisman win, and potentially even a natty for the Buckeyes, fully locking in Fields’ role as one of the most legendary quarterbacks in Ohio State football history.

The coaching carousel continues

The Big Ten is one of the few conferences that have multiple teams that demand success year in and year out. Disappoint on those expectations, and you might just find yourself out of a job. That means a fresh in-take of coaches, nearly every year.

Of course, a new in-take also means a new out-take, per sorts. After five seasons with the Wolverines, head coach Jim Harbaugh is 47-18, including a 32-12 mark in the Big Ten. You might be asking, and perhaps rightfully so: “How can someone with that record be on the hot seat?”

Well, this isn’t any old program we’re talking about.

Harbaugh’s tenure will ultimately be defined by what he does against the big boys of the Ohio State Buckeyes, and how close he can take his team to the College Football Playoff picture. Despite finishing in the NCAA Top 20 four times, he hasn’t accomplished either of those objectives just yet.

Fans will also have an eye on second-year coaches like Maryland head coach Mike Locksley. He’s a bit safer in his seat heading into year two, despite a tumultuous end to last season. In the offseason, the Terps added some weapons, as mentioned above, and look to be a rising force in the Big Ten recruiting picture.

As well as the returnees, the Big Ten welcomes new coaches like Mel Tucker to the group. Tucker will be taking the helm for the Michigan State Spartans, a team whose quarterbacks managed only seven passing players longer than 40 yards in the past two years. The offense has been a problem in East Lansing, but the defense has been solid and looks strong despite returning just three starters.

The star players (besides Fields) we’ll never see in college again

Micah Parsons – the leader of the Nittany Lions defense from the linebacker spot, and my top defensive player of the draft. In a league that is ever-growing in speed and size, Parsons will undoubtedly be one of the top prospects in the 2020 Draft class after departing Penn State. Any NFL team would love to have a player of his caliber manning the inside linebacker spot, and Parsons can cover nearly any spot.

Rondale Moore – An electric receiver, Moore runs like a running back with the ball and his hands and hits the field like a human joystick. He’s a lethal gadget player, with a ceiling that should excite most NFL teams. One question remains though, without seeing the field in 2020, what will happen to his draft stock?

Rashod Bateman – Set to be the top receiver of what looked, on paper before he opted out, to be one of the best rosters Minnesota has had in years. An All-American last season, Bateman went for 1,219 yards last year, finding the endzone 11 times. Bateman still could find his name being called in the first round of the NFL Draft this year, but if things had been different, Bateman could have lit up the Big Ten in 2020.

Shaun Wade – We’ve already covered star quarterback Justin Fields on the offensive side for the Buckeyes, but Wade came into the year as one of the top defensive players in football. Wade is a top-five player in this class, and an All-American to boot. It’s an absolute travesty we’re being robbed of his talent in the 2020 season.

 Wyatt Davis – You shouldn’t be surprised how many insanely talented players the Buckeyes have in their ranks in any given year, much less this year. Davis is a rare talent at the offensive guard position, who will be on every team’s radar for this draft. Davis was first-team All-Big Ten and All-American and decided to return to the Buckeyes for 2020. Even though he’s not playing, Davis is likely to be an early first-round pick in the 2021 Draft.

The Finale, the Championship

Just like everything else we’re missing out on that you’ve now read about, perhaps the biggest hole in this year’s college football season will be the lack of a Big Ten championship game. The game that has provided us with so many national title winners and so many big moments all around will certainly be missed.

To me, it’s more likely that no that this game would have been a challenge between the inevitable winners of the East, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the routine winners of the West in the Wisconsin Badgers. There’s the potential for Minnesota to sneak into the equation, but Wisconsin is my pick.

Though, I don’t see this as being a rousing game between the two strong conference foes, as Ohio State’s team is just too dominant for almost anyone in this often-cannibalizing conference. Powered by Fields, the likely Offensive Player of the Year, we would’ve seen Ryan Day coach this team into the College Football Playoff and could have won it all.

Now that we’ve recapped what could have been, what are you most sad about missing out on with the cancellation of the Big Ten season?

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.