Everything you need to know ahead of the Pac-12 CEO Group’s Thursday meeting

Big news is on the way.

Whether the Pac-12 CEO Group decides to play football this fall or not, Thursday will be a defining moment in the conference’s response to COVID-19. The group consists of chancellors and presidents from each of the conference’s institutions.

The conference met Friday and outsiders expected a decision to begin the football season in late October or early November. Instead, the CEO Group punted until Thursday. The lack of a decision was, reportedly, the cause for some frustration within the conference.

The #Pac12 had been a tight-knit, unified ship for six months. That has ended. HCs and ADs are deeply frustrated.

— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 19, 2020

The conference released a statement following the meeting.

Statement from the Pac-12 CEO Group: pic.twitter.com/j7n1vZQ2dz

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 19, 2020

One hurdle that still remains in the conference’s path is local restrictions that prevent football teams from practicing. Stanford and Cal are the two universities affected and each will need clearance before they can return to the field.

Stanford head coach David Shaw tweeted Monday that discussions were underway with Santa Clara County, but there hasn’t been an update since.

Stanford University leadership and our department of athletics are working diligently with the Pac 12 and Santa Clara County on how, and when, our student athletes can safely return to sports. #GoStanford

— David Shaw (@CoachDavidShaw) September 21, 2020

If the conference votes in favor of a fall season, I’d expect to see practices begin next week. Since two schools would not be able to participate, they would be at a significant competitive disadvantage.

Pac-12 source confirms “top line” agenda discussion for Thursday’s CEO Group meeting will essentially be a show of hands – “who doesn’t feel they can safely play on Oct 31?”

Could result in a handful of universities essentially getting a bye week on the front end.

— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) September 23, 2020

So, it seems as though the most likely outcome of Friday’s meeting is that some teams will begin play on Oct. 31, while others wait until November to begin. There’s no guarantee though.

Colorado moved all classes online for at least two weeks, following a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. According to data obtained by the Boulder Daily Camera, 1,198 students have tested positive for the virus, as well as 12 staff members.

Across college football, COVID-19 has had resounding effects. The conferences that have already begun play have struggled to put teams on the field.

As of 9/23 at 3pm ET, we’ve played 49 FBS games and had 20 canceled.

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) September 23, 2020

The Pac-12’s newfound daily, rapid testing capabilities give it better odds of success than other conferences but conference leadership could still feel that the risk of infection is too high to justify playing.

Momentum seems to be swinging toward playing football this fall, though, and hopefully we’ll get the good news on Thursday.