Pac-12 football must follow Big Ten to reinstate fall 2020 season

After the Big Ten made the decision to bring back the 2020 season this fall, Pac-12 football is feeling the pressure to follow.

And just like that, the Pac-12 is on the clock.

On Wednesday, the Big Ten announced that it would join the ACC, Big 12 and SEC and play football this fall after voting a month ago to postpone the 2020 season until the spring. The conference’s presidents and commissioner met with health experts who said that rapid testing and new protocols will help each school move forward without a hitch.

Larry Scott and the rest of the Pac-12 took notice, but there’s still a holdup.

Obviously the Pac-12 is being held back by health officials in California and Oregon which means that until they get the ‘OK’ from that group, they can’t begin practice. This move by the Big Ten could be the perfect precedent for the Pac-12 and Scott needs to put pressure on those health officials to make a ruling within the next couple of weeks.

I’m not sure what type of power he possesses in that regard, but if he could somehow get the information that the Big Ten used and present it to California and Oregon officials, his case would be aided tenfold.

Another wrinkle is the fire issue which has been weakening air quality. Playing in those conditions is not possible for college athletes.

But a plan needs to be put in place and it looks like Scott has already begun the brainstorming process for a return. He was open about wanting to return to action as soon as a handful of his schools from California and Oregon get the thumbs up.

If the Pac-12 wants to stay relevant in the Power Five and not end up as the only member to opt out of the 2020 season, it needs to set up a plan and pick a date to begin. Everything else can be worked around that — even if that means having the California/Oregon schools play across state lines (again, I’m not sure of the legalities there, but it would be like a bubble).

The Big Ten turned on the timer and the Pac-12 is feeling the pressure. The time is ticking and if the Pac-12 wants to be part of the playoff picture and bowl season, it needs to act now.