One report claims Big Ten considering Thanksgiving weekend start for football

The “will they or won’t they” saga continues with the state of college football, especially in the Midwest.

According to reports from The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and CBS Sports on Friday morning, it appears that there have been conversations for the Big Ten Conference to start an eight-game football season on the weekend of Thanksgiving. This would also presumably create a quasi-bubble situation on campuses, as students will be home for holiday break after Thanksgiving and running into January.

According to two college football people familiar with the Big Ten, those talks have generated a new option, starting a Big Ten season of at least eight games the week of Thanksgiving. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The Journal Sentinel reported earlier this month that league officials were working on a plan to play an eight-game season beginning in January, with the games to be played in indoor facilities.

Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports also notes that the Big Ten could default to the January or later proposal if this is the route it decides to go.

Reported indoor sites in consideration have been US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Ford Field in Detroit, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis and the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Rapid coronavirus testing has been at the forefront of the discussion as to when it would be safe for football to return. Earlier this week, a $5 test that sends back results in 15 minutes was launched by Abbot, which could be a game-changer as it pertains to the return of sports.

We’ll have more on this story as it develops.