Big Ten decision on returning to play expected by Tuesday

The Big Ten took a step towards returning to play on Saturday with a vote expected in the next 72 hours.

As the ACC and Big 12 kicked off their seasons on Saturday, Big Ten presidents and chancellors were meeting for a presentation from the league’s return-to-competition task force.

It’s just one step toward the Big Ten returning to play, but any potential return will come down to two more steps.

First, the full Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors will need to hear the presentation which was put before the steering committee. Then, they will have to vote on when and how the conference will return to action.

Whether that decision so to push for a fall restart or stick to the spring plan, a vote is expected to go down in the next 72 hours, all according to a report by Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.

The conference could return as early as Oct. 17, but they need to flip a vote which was originally 11-3 in favor of shutting down.

The Big Ten has been divided on whether or not to play this fall.

Presidents and chancellors in the Big Ten have faced plenty of pressure from coaches and athletic directors since the decision to cancel the fall season was announced. Call for a return to play have only gotten louder as other conferences moved forward with games.

Earlier this week, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Penn State head coach James Franklin openly questioned the Big Ten’s decision-making on the issue.

Commissioner Kevin Warren has taken a beating across the board.

Will all of that push back be enough to convince the same figures who voted against playing this fall to change their tune? How much will the development of rapid testing options factor in?

Answers are coming.

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