Miami Hurricanes lose marquee nonconference football game, likely to lose more games
With the status of the college football season already in question, the University of Miami lost the only marquee nonconference game on its 2020 schedule on Thursday when the Big Ten announced plans to play a conference-only football schedule this season — if it plays football at all — because of rising cases of COVID-19.
That means UM’s Sept. 26 game against Michigan State has been canceled.
The Atlantic Coast Conference declined to say whether it would cancel its nonconference games, but UM athletic director Blake James said in a radio interview this week that the conference-only scenario is among several under consideration. And Stadium reported that the ACC likely will cancel its non-conference football games.
That means the Hurricanes’ home games against Temple on Sept. 5, Wagner on Sept. 12 and UAB on Sept. 17 appear in very serious doubt.
UM was scheduled to play its four nonconference games in consecutive weeks before opening ACC play at home against Pittsburgh on Oct. 3.
“I am aware of the announcement made by the Big 10 today,” James said in a statement. “While we are disappointed to lose the opportunity to face Michigan State during the 2020 season, we will work with the ACC to best position our program for the upcoming season.”
ESPN said the Big Ten might move to a 10-game conference schedule, up from nine, but there was no reference to that in the conference’s announcement.
ACC teams play eight league games, but that number could increase if the conference moves to a league-only schedule. ACC commissioner John Swofford has said Notre Dame — which has six ACC opponents — could play more ACC games in such a scenario.
Notre Dame is scheduled to play six games against ACC teams, including Clemson. Miami-Notre Dame would be the most appealing potential matchup that could be added, though it was initially unclear if that was something that would interest either school. Miami and Notre Dame are scheduled to play in 2024 and 2025.
In a poll of FBS athletic directors, Stadium’s Brett McMurphy reported that 73 percent believe the start of the season will be delayed.
The UM-Michigan State matchup was the first in a two-game home-and-home series that was booked several years ago. Michigan State is scheduled to play the return game on Sept. 18, 2021, at Hard Rock Stadium.
UM’s 2021 nonconference schedule includes an opening game against Alabama in Atlanta, plus home games against Appalachian State and Central Connecticut.
Besides the Miami-Michigan State game, other big games canceled by the Big Ten’s decision include Ohio State-Oregon, Michigan-Washington, Penn State-Virginia Tech, Michigan-Washington and Wisconsin-Notre Dame.
UM says it is scheduled to begin mandatory football workouts on Monday, the first day permitted for FBS teams. Players have been participating in voluntary workouts on campus for the past month.
In its statement, the Big Ten said:” We are facing uncertain and unprecedented times, and the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, game officials, and others associated with our sports programs and campuses remain our number one priority.
“To that end, the Big Ten Conference announced today that if the Conference is able to participate in fall sports (men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball) based on medical advice, it will move to Conference-only schedules in those sports. Details for these sports will be released at a later date, while decisions on sports not listed above will continue to be evaluated.
“By limiting competition to other Big Ten institutions, the Conference will have the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic...
“Big Ten student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics at any time during the summer and/or the 2020-21 academic year due to concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarship honored by their institution and will remain in good standing with their team.”
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 4:08 PM.
