Big Ten looking at domed stadiums for winter football season, per report

It seems all the talk about a potential spring Big Ten football season quickly turned into discussions about a winter season instead.

If there is to be a winter season, it’s likely the games won’t be played at Big Ten stadiums, and will instead be played in domed stadiums across the midwest.

According to Columbus Dispatch Ohio State beat writer Bill Rabinowitz, domes in “Indianapolis, St. Louis, Detroit, Minneapolis and possibly even Syracuse, New York, were under consideration.” Rabinowitz inquired about these possible locations with OSU athletic director Gene Smith, who confirmed those sites are under consideration, among others.

A winter season would likely lead to more NFL Draft hopefuls playing in a final collegiate season instead of opting out. A winter start instead of spring would likely mean less players opting out due to injury related concerns knowing a fall season isn’t too far off. The sooner a season begins and it’s safe to do so, the better. As far as domed stadiums go, they’d be a must for a conference that has teams like Wisconsin and Minnesota who endure brutal winters with heavy snowfall. Domed stadiums would allow for two months of football that aren’t marred by blizzards and frigid temperatures.