It is official, the Big Ten will not play football this fall in a decision released on Tuesday afternoon.
In breaking news first reported by Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports, the Big Ten is deciding to postpone the fall football season and will try to restart everything back up in the spring. This is a decision that is sending Illinois football fans into sports depression and players into confusion and anger.
Illinois players weren’t shying away from the social media stream after the announcement was made either.
The news hurts but God’s timing is always right. I’m appreciative of the fight everyone put up behind the scenes, especially our AD. We all can’t wait to play, trust me. Till then, back to work✌️🔶🔷
— Mike Epstein (@Dat26Kid) August 11, 2020
So much work and dedication over these past few months! Love my teammates. #Illini
— Conner Lillig (@clillig22) August 11, 2020
Love this team. Our hard work won’t go unnoticed #ILL
— James McCourt (@McCourtJ_38) August 11, 2020
Pain without football hit different 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
— Reggie Love III ⷢ ⷥ (@Reggie22x) August 11, 2020
At some point we will play. Time to get right! 🔶🔷 https://t.co/G0PTCl26v5
— Blake Jeresaty (@Bmjeresaty) August 11, 2020
Love my brothers! #ILL
— Ethan Tabel (@ethan_tabel) August 11, 2020
I honestly wish y’all got to witness a little bit of fall camp 😯 it’s was going to get reallllllll special.
— Dylan Wyatt™ (@PresidentialDyl) August 11, 2020
I thank the U Of I whole staff and trainers. They put us in the best position since we got here! It’s out of our control🤷🏾♂️
— Dylan Wyatt™ (@PresidentialDyl) August 11, 2020
G my heart... 💔
— Kendall Smith🐉 (@Kendallsmith_23) August 11, 2020
Great run 😢 ITS ALL LOVE 🧡💙
— Jamal “Bobo” Woods (@jamal4425) August 11, 2020
There will be some ripple effects on what was announced today. One of the ripple effects is to see what other conferences out of the power five end up shutting down.
As of right now, the PAC-12 is looking like they are about to shut their doors for the fall. But I think that might end up being the only other conference. Shannon Terry of 247Sports is reporting that the ACC and SEC are going to push through and likely have a season. That means there will be some college football on this fall.
But with some teams playing also brings up another big worry that I have right now. That worry is transfers and the possibility for Illinois to have some key guys depart the program so they can play this fall.
Mainly, I am looking at seniors and graduate transfers. Illinois has a few big names who want to show the NFL scouts that they are good enough for the next level. Some names include quarterback Brandon Peters, wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe and his brother Daniel. I am also worried that some big-time talent could depart that is young but could be eligible immediately due to the ongoing situation. The players that come to mind include Marquez Beason and Reggie Love. We can’t afford to lose these two studs.
The Big Ten deciding to not have football this fall will have massive ramifications. I am curious to see if anything happens to the Illinois roster over the next couple of weeks.