Reports: Growing optimism for an October start for Big Ten

The fourteen Big Ten Presidents and Chancellors met today and were presented with a comprehensive plan on medical protocols that have changed in the weeks since their vote to push Big Ten football from the fall to the spring.

Multiple reports this afternoon share that there is growing optimism that the advances in testing technology could lead to a vote that could see the Big Ten return to play as soon as October 17th. While that is the date that has been targeted, reports share that there is some flexibility in the event that the start date needed to be pushed back.

No official vote has taken place yet, and Big Ten reporter Adam Rittenberg notes that a vote will not happen today. Pat Forde notes that the vote could take place as early as tomorrow. A lot of minds in that room would have to change based on the previous 11-3 split to postpone the season just a month ago.

The last month (plus) has been perhaps the most tumultuous time in the Big Ten conference's history. The vote, and reasoning behind the decision to postpone the fall season and aim for a restart in the spring was not transparent at all, leading to players, their parents, and their coaches to speak up looking for clarity. By all accounts, commissioner Kevin Warren took far too long to respond to those concerns and many have felt like the league has been in limbo since President Trump called and encouraged the Big Ten to restart their season.

We've covered the surreal situation that has unfolded among the league in our popular "As the Big Ten Turns" seriesyou can catch up here.

This one could play out in the next few days, so stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.

Update >> Late Sunday night, Brett McMurphy adds that if Big Ten leadership votes to play football this fall, then all Big Ten schools would play.

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