For the first time since 1919, Purdue and Indiana will not play a football game.
The two schools announced that they had “mutually agreed to cancel” Saturday’s game. Both schools paused football activities earlier this week due to COVID-19 issues.
“We’re certainly disappointed that we had to cancel the Old Oaken Bucket game. We both understand the history and tradition of one of the best rivalries in college football, but the safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff is our primary priority. We will continue to monitor the situation on both campuses and listen to the advice of our medical professionals,” said a joint statement from Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski and Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson.
The Hoosiers, ranked No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings, are 6-1 on the year. Purdue started the year 2-0 but has since dropped four straight to sit at 2-4.
Cincinnati and Tulsa will play just once
Saturday’s Cincinnati at Tulsa game will not be played.
The American Athletic Conference announced Tuesday that the game between the Bearcats and Golden Hurricane has been called off because of COVID-19 issues at Cincinnati.
Both teams are undefeated in AAC play and have clinched a matchup on Dec. 19 in the conference title game. Saturday’s game would have determined the home team for the title game.
Now, without a head-to-head matchup to determine the tiebreaker, the site of the championship game will be the home stadium of the team that is ranked higher in Tuesday night’s College Football Playoff rankings.
Cincinnati, at 8-0, was ranked No. 7 last week. Tulsa, No. 24 last week, is now 6-1 after beating Navy on Saturday. Tulsa’s only loss came in its opening game against Oklahoma State. The Golden Hurricane have not lost since.
Cincinnati was originally scheduled to play at Tulsa on Oct. 17.
Michigan can’t play Ohio State
Michigan and Ohio State won’t play for the first time since 1917 after COVID-19 caused Michigan to have to cancel the game.
Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss could be canceled altogether
Texas A&M will spend another weekend on the sideline.
The SEC announced Monday that the Aggies, currently ranked No. 5 in the country, will not be able to play Ole Miss this weekend due to the COVID-19 issues in the Ole Miss program. The game is the first from Week 15 to be canceled or postponed due to COVID-19.
Ole Miss paused all football activities last week due to multiple positive tests. The combination of positive tests, contact tracing and quarantining caused the need to postpone Saturday’s game at Texas A&M.
Ole Miss said it has extended its suspension of team activities “until at least Friday.”
The game may end up being declared a no-contest. The SEC said the only way the game can be rescheduled is if any of the other games currently scheduled for Dec. 19 get canceled.
The Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss matchup, originally scheduled for Nov. 21, was postponed due to COVID-19 issues in the A&M program. A&M missed back-to-back games last month — at Tennessee and vs. Ole Miss. The Tennessee game has been rescheduled for Dec. 19. Ole Miss (4-4) has a game at LSU on Dec. 19.
The Aggies are 7-1 on the year and in the mix for a College Football Playoff berth. The team’s loss to No. 1 Alabama means it won’t play in the SEC title game, so the Aggies will need some help to move into the top four.
Week 15 postponed or canceled games
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Texas A&M at Ole Miss (postponed or canceled)
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Cincinnati at Tulsa (canceled)
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Michigan at Ohio State (canceled)
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Ohio at Kent State (canceled)
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Charlotte at Marshall (canceled)
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Purdue at Indiana (canceled)
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