The Big 12 Conference announced plans to proceed with a fall football season in the wake of the Big Ten and Pac-12 postponing their football schedules due to COVID-19 concerns.
The 10-team conference, which counts Texas and Oklahoma among its most powerful institutions, will follow a “9+1” model of nine conference games plus one nonconference game for football. Volleyball and soccer will play conference-only schedules.
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said that while “opinions vary regarding the best path forward,” the league is comfortable moving ahead with fall sports, pointing to the safe environments the athletic departments can provide.
“Ultimately, our student-athletes have indicated their desire to compete in the sports they love this season and it is up to all of us to deliver a safe, medically sound, and structured academic and athletic environment for accomplishing that outcome,” Bowlsby said in a statement.
The Big 12 joins the ACC and SEC in attempting to move forward with a college football season during the traditional autumn window, creating a split between the Power Five conferences as the Big Ten and Pac-12 sit out and plan to try again in the spring.
The Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma will be played Oct. 10 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The Big 12 Championship Game will be played either Dec. 12 or Dec. 19.
A 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 delivery for #Big12FB fans‼️
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 12, 2020
Your first look at the 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ Conference schedule ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/1W00A3EYuM
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