Report: Pac-12 To Allow Non-Conference Games If Presidents & Chancellors Approve
Nov 18, 2020, 9:24 AM | Updated: 10:52 am
This is the Pac12 logo in Rice Eccles Stadium before the Utah Utes and Brigham Young Cougars college football game on September 10, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Pac-12 reversed course on their original plan and will now allow teams to play non-conference opponents, according to Pac-12 Insider Jon Wilner.
According to the report, Pac-12 Athletic Directors have agreed on the decision but there is one step left to allow non-conference opponents – presidents and chancellors, who originally stopped non-conference play because of the COVID-19 pandemic, must approve the change.
The change would allow for teams who have had games canceled because their opponent has COVID-19 issues to schedule non-conference games.
Breaking: #Pac12 set to reverse course and allow non-conference games. ADs have agreed, one step remains:https://t.co/KKdO58gqDy
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) November 18, 2020
The Pac-12’s current 2020 schedule has teams playing seven games in seven weeks, leaving no option to reschedule canceled games, causing canceled games to be ruled “no contest”.
The University of Utah football team hasn’t yet played a game because their first two games – against Arizona and UCLA – have been canceled due to COVID-19.
The Utes hope to take the field this Saturday in Salt Lake City against USC. The game is slated for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. MT and both head coaches are optimistic about the game taking place.
If the Pac-12 does allow non-conference opponents it could also benefit the BYU Cougars, who have some open weeks left on their schedule.
