Ohio State’s game at Illinois on Saturday is in jeopardy after some OSU players tested positive for COVID-19, multiple sources have informed Bucknuts. The No. 4 Buckeyes (4-0) have already had one game canceled this season — at Maryland on Nov. 14. Per Big Ten rules, teams must play at least six games to be eligible for the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 19 in Indianapolis (unless the average number of games played per team in the conference drops below 6). Ohio State has scheduled games remaining at Michigan State on Dec. 5 and against Michigan on Dec. 12.
Ohio State declined to comment when contacted by Bucknuts.
Thus far this season, the Buckeyes have defeated Nebraska 52-17, Penn State 38-25, Rutgers 49-27 and Indiana 42-35. Of that group, only No. 12 Indiana (4-1) has a winning record and is ranked.
Ohio State is ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff, behind No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 3 Clemson.
In addition to the Buckeyes’ game at Maryland, Wisconsin had to cancel two games early in this season and Minnesota announced this week that it will not play its game against the Badgers on Saturday. Due to the Big Ten schedule, these games cannot be rescheduled with the Big Ten Championship week set for Dec. 19.
Bucknuts will have more on this developing story.
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2020 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (Kickoff times TBA unless otherwise noted)
Oct. 24: Nebraska [Final score: Ohio State 52, Nebraska 17]
Oct. 31: at Penn State [Ohio State 38, Penn State 25]
Nov. 7: Rutgers [Ohio State 49, Rutgers 27]
Nov. 14: at Maryland — [Canceled]
Nov. 21: Indiana [Ohio State 42, Indiana 35]
Nov. 28: at Illinois — 12 p.m. (FS1)
Dec. 5: at Michigan State
Dec. 12: Michigan — 12 p.m. ET (FOX)
Dec. 19: Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, Ind.