Michigan Takes Step Towards Playing Ohio State, But Game Still Not Slam Dunk

Michigan football has been cleared to resume limited workouts, according to a team spokesperson. After the program paused for COVID-19 issues last week, this is obviously the first step towards the Wolverines taking the field against Ohio State this weekend. While this is positive news, it is uncertain whether the game will be played. Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News weighs in:

The plan right now, I've been told, is for Michigan to practice today and tomorrow. Team should be meeting about now. I'm not sure it's a "sign" they will play — It's a sign they're TRYING to play Am not ready to make that leap yet that The Game is gonna happen

— angelique (@chengelis) December 7, 2020

The Game is important, not just because it’s a historic rivalry, but because under current Big Ten rules, Ohio State needs to get the game in to be eligible for the conference championship game. Nonetheless, at this point, it appears more likely than not that if the game is canceled — and a new opponent for Ohio State does not emerge — that the Big Ten will revisit its rules to accommodate Ohio State.

It would be much better for the conference if it doesn’t have to make that decision, even if it means Ohio State trucks a Michigan program decimated by positive tests and contact tracing.

The world is also waiting to find out whether Jim Harbaugh and Michigan are going to part ways. Harbaugh has one year left on his contract. Sending him out on the recruiting trail as a lame duck would not benefit anyone, but giving him an extension also feels suboptimal. We shall see where this all goes.