Big Ten Votes To Cancel Fall Football Season: Reports

MICHIGAN — There will not be a fall football season for the Big Ten, after 12 of the conference's 14 schools voted in favor of cancelling the season amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

University of Michigan president Mark Schlissel and Michigan State University president Samuel Stanley voted to not play football this fall, according to The Detroit Free Press. Presidents from the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska voted in favor of playing.

The original report regarding the vote and how respective universities voted came from Dan Patrick, who reported the information live on The Dan Patrick Show Monday.

Some notable names have come out opposing the Big Ten's apparent vote, such as Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines' coach said in a news release that he believes football could be played, citing his university's handling of its players who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Harbaugh said the football program has administered 893 tests, with 11 positive results. He said the program has adhered to CDC guidelines and has not had to pause its training once due to positive coronavirus cases.

"It is proven that the conduct, discipline and structure within our program have led to these stellar results," Harbaugh said. "We respect the challenge the virus has presented however we will not cower from it."

Former and current Michigan players and coaches supported Harbaugh's statement on Twitter.

The conference had released a conference only schedule last week.

On Saturday, the Mid-American Conference, which features Western Michigan, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan, voted to cancel its fall season.