READY, SET, HIKE. The Big Ten football season was back after an extended off-season due to COVID-19. The conference’s committee made the announcement on September 15 that they would be playing games and fans had been anxious for them to start. Other conferences such as the SEC and ACC had started the season at the original start date and showed that it was possible for college football to take place, even under such harsh conditions because of COVID-19. 

All 14 teams played over the weekend and there was a wide variety of games. There were blowouts like the Ohio State and Wisconsin games, but there were also close games like the Penn State vs Indiana game which was won in the last seconds of overtime. One of the biggest games was an upset by Rutgers vs Michigan State, Rutgers won that game 38-27 and ended their 3-year Big Ten losing streak. The league also has Five ranked teams after Saturday’s games.

I asked a huge Ohio State football fan, Alec Blessing, 11, about the delayed start date. “It sucked because I wanted to watch football and I didnt want to wait, however I understand it because COVID is bigger than football” said Blessing. He went on to explain that “It was better for the teams because they didn’t have to risk being exposed to COVID early and they got extra time to practice.” Blessing also felt that the conference would be able to make it through the year “as long as they continue to be safe and nothing drastic happens.”

Overall, the start of the season was a huge success: all games were played with no COVID-19 related issues, the fans were very satisfied (at least the fans of the teams who won), and it was a great example of what the season will look like later on in the year.