Michigan Scraps Ohio State Game, Breaking 100-Year Rivalry Tradition

The University of Michigan has officially called off its game against Ohio State, citing the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases.

That decision breaks a streak of more than 100 years of the longstanding rivals facing off against one another.

“The number of positive tests has continued to trend in an upward direction over the last seven days,” Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel said in a statement Tuesday (December 8). “We have not been cleared to participate in practice at this time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close-contact individuals. This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making.”

On November 30, Michigan officials confirmed that the team would halt in-person activities “out of caution” as some awaited COVID-19 test results.

ESPN noted that Michigan would continue daily COVID-19 testing to get back to the field when people are ready.

Currently, Ohio State University is undefeated and ranks No. 3 in the AP polls and No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, according to ESPN. This cancelation blocks Ohio State from becoming eligible for the Big Ten championship game, which Ohio State Coach Ryan Day urges to be reconsidered.

"I think it's one of those things that was put into place early on, and decisions are made based on the information you have at the time, and things change, as we know," Day said. "... I just think we have to take a hard look periodically at all of this stuff and this is one of those situations. If we don't quite get the game we need to get in the championship game, I think that needs to be looked at hard, just like anybody else in the conference…There's no easy solution in times like this. I know those guys are going to come together and take a hard look at it and make sure it was the right decision."

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