Ohio State vs. Michigan football rivalry game canceled due to virus issues with Wolverines

Unfortunately for college football fans across the country, the Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry game has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. 

For the first time since 1917, Michigan and Ohio State will not play a football game.

After COVID concerns affected the Wolverines last week, the team was unable to return to practice after attempting on Monday and the determination was made on Tuesday to cancel the game. According to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Michigan was going to be without 45 players because of COVID-19 cases, contract tracing and injuries.

Ohio State won’t play Michigan but could still play this weekend

Due to the cancelation, this means Ohio State will fall below the six-game minimum requirement set by the Big Ten prior to the season to be eligible for the Big Ten Championship Game. However, as Brett McMurphy first reported on Saturday, Big Ten athletic directors are likely to amend that rule to get Justin Fields and the Buckeyes in the game.

Big Ten athletic directors will meet on Wednesday and it’s expected that outcome will see the Buckeyes with their 5-0 record be eligible to play Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game, and not Indiana who has met the minimum requirement but lost to Ohio State earlier this fall.

Additionally, Ryan Day’s Buckeyes are looking for a team to play this weekend and they may get a rematch with Nebraska who may be unable to play their scheduled game vs. Minnesota due to the Gophers having virus issues of their own.

So no game between Ohio State and Michigan.

The Big Ten may change the rule to get Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.

Ohio State may play Nebraska as a backup plan to get the minimum number of games in just in case the Big Ten doesn’t amend their rule.

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