Ohio State Vs Michigan Football Game Canceled Due To Coronavirus

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio State Buckeyes football team will not play Michigan in 2020.

University of Michigan officials announced Tuesday that the game would be canceled. The Wolverines were left depleted of players due to a rash of positive COVID-19 tests. University officials met with medical experts and health department leaders before canceling the contest.

"The number of positive tests has continued to trend in an upward direction over the last seven days," said Warde Manuel, Michigan's director of athletics. "We have not been cleared to participate in practice at this time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close-contact individuals. This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making."

The game was set to be played Saturday in Columbus. Michigan officials said the team hopes to be cleared by medical officials and eventually return to the practice field.

The Big Ten is scheduled to hold its Champions Week games Dec. 18 and Dec. 19.

Michigan vs Ohio State is one of college football's most iconic rivalries. The two teams first met on the gridiron in 1897 and have now played more than 100 contests against each other. The Wolverines hold a slight edge over the Buckeyes in the all-time series, according to the NCAA, with a 58-51-6 record.

While Michigan has won more all-time games, Ohio State has dominated over the past decade. Since 2012, the Buckeyes have won eight straight games against the Wolverines. With a team ranked in the top 5 in college football, Ohio State would have looked to win its ninth straight contest had Saturday's game not been canceled.