The 2020 Pac-12 football schedule has gained two conference games and dropped all non-conference opponents due to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to an announcement by the league on Friday.
“From the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, we have been committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to our athletic programs,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. “The schedule and plans approved today and path to return to competition are subject to public health orders and will be taken in accordance with the health and well-being guidelines developed by our Pac-12 Medical Advisory Committee.”
Each Pac-12 team will now play a 10-game schedule of Pac-12 opponents only. The move eliminates all three non-conference games for each team.
As for the start date, the conference announced that the 2020 Pac-12 football season will begin on Saturday, Sept. 26. That will be four weeks after some schools start in Week Zero (Aug. 29) and three weeks after Week 1 (Sept. 3-5).
“The schedule and return to play plans provide for maximum flexibility and the best opportunity to play all fall sports in an environment that prioritizes safety. At the same time, we will continue to evaluate the best available science, data and advice of public health officials as we make decisions and any required adjustments going forward,” said Scott.
The 2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game has been pushed back two weeks and will now be played on Friday, December 18 or Saturday, December 19 at a campus site. The 2020 Pac-12 football schedule will also include one mid-season open date and an open date on December 12 for all 14 schools.
A revised Pac-12 football schedule for the 2020 season was also included in the release.
The move eliminates “three” non-conference games.