Pac-12, Utah will kick off their football season the weekend of Nov. 6-7, play a 6-game conference schedule

The Pac-12 is going to attempt to play a fall football season.

The league announced late Thursday afternoon that the conference’s presidents and chancellors unanimously approved a return-to-play plan, which will include a six-game regular-season schedule beginning the weekend of Nov. 6-7. There are no open weeks built in, and the Pac-12 championship game is slated for Dec. 18, two days before the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six bowl matchups will be selected.

In addition to the title game on Dec. 18, that weekend will feature divisional crossover games to give everyone seven games for the season. The likely scenario is while the division winners play each other, so too will each second-place team, each third-place team, etc.

“At every stage of this process, the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff has been our highest priority, and the guidance of medical experts has informed each decision,” Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said as part of a school-released statement. “We are grateful for the diligent work of the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee, the game-changing partnership with Quidel, and the leadership of the Pac-12 CEO Group to continuously evaluate new information to reach the decisions announced today.”

Per the league’s announcement Thursday, “Pac-12 universities with the necessary public health approvals may commence practice immediately.” Utah has the necessary health approvals, but it was unclear Thursday afternoon when the Utes will begin practice. Utah student-athletes began returning to campus to begin athletic activities as early as mid-June.

The decision to play football backs off the Pac-12′s Aug. 11 announcement in which it postponed all sports competitions through at least Jan. 1. To that end, the league also announced Thursday afternoon that men’s and women’s basketball teams may begin their seasons on Nov. 25. The NCAA set that as the start date last week, 15 days later than originally scheduled.

Basketball scheduling details were not released Thursday, but the expectation is the league will stick with 20 conference games, leaving room for seven non-conference games to be played.

A Pac-12 media conference call, headed by commissioner Larry Scott, is scheduled for later Thursday evening.

The Tribune will update this story.

from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/32YzaQw