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QB Justin Fields (2019-20 B1G Off POY, 2020 Silver Football, 2019 B1G CCG MVP, Pittsburgh Steelers)

“The development of a saliva-based COVID-19 test serves as proof, in Mars' view, that the Big Ten acted prematurely. That new test could also open the door to the conference reconsidering its decision, he said.

"Kevin Warren has a second chance here to do the right thing," Mars said of the first-year Big Ten commissioner.

If he doesn't, he predicts that it "might shorten his tenure as a college football commissioner. I say that because these parents are not going to give up, and neither are the players."

Once in a while I get it right....

Buckle up boys, indeed.....things are heating up.


 
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I have been pushing liability waivers from day one, glad I'm not the only one saying this. Not getting my hopes up too much, but there's enough teeth here where I might bust out some popcorn at least. If Fields somehow plays a role in getting this decision reversed, talk about going down in program history (aside from stats and on the field performance).
 
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It'd be great if all the teams in the B1G were as responsible and prepared as the Buckeyes are. Unfortunately, they're not. And the failures of the other teams would likely have adverse effects on the Bucks.

This one is by no means cut and dried.

I honestly believe the behind the scenes work right now, is Universities determining if they have labs that can get “Yale Certified” in a short period of time.

If the answer is “yes”, game on. If the answer is “no” at some schools, they’ll have to sit it out likely.

But based on the Emergency Use Authorization, the basic equipment needed to run the test, and the general appetite to play football if it can be safe, I truly think they find a way. I believe this Saliva test is going to save the day, and had it been announced prior to the Big 10 decision to cancel, they’d have held off altogether, or simply postponed for several weeks to see what the chances are of beginning to test daily via the Saliva test.

This test has potential to give real time results to players, making it infinitely safer to play. I ran the math a few days ago, but you could in theory test twice a day (morning and evening) at a cost of $40 per person (I’d run two saliva tests to get a 99.9% accuracy). Each test costs $10.

At $40 a day, by 150 people (players/coaches/staff) over 120 days, you’re looking at a total cost of $720,000.

And I’m prob going way overkill on my tests (prob don’t need twice a day, and maybe 90% accuracy is deemed safe enough on 1 test). But a price tag of $720k per school is well worth it to honor the TV deal and cash that check. Again, it’s a no brainer to me....
 
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I honestly believe the behind the scenes work right now, is Universities determining if they have labs that can get “Yale Certified” in a short period of time.

If the answer is “yes”, game on. If the answer is “no” at some schools, they’ll have to sit it out likely.

But based on the Emergency Use Authorization, the basic equipment needed to run the test, and the general appetite to play football if it can be safe, I truly think they find a way. I believe this Saliva test is going to save the day, and had it been announced prior to the Big 10 decision to cancel, they’d have held off altogether, or simply postponed for several weeks to see what the chances are of beginning to test daily via the Saliva test.
It ain't just testing. There needs to be a commitment to do everything else to keep athletes reliably protected from the transmission hotspots that already are exploding on campuses that have "opened up." And that commitment needs to be strong and complete at every single school in the B1G.

Much as I want Buckeye football this fall, I don't want our players put at risk by a bunch of yahoos at programs we play who just don't give a shit.
 
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It ain't just testing. There needs to be a commitment to do everything else to keep athletes reliably protected from the transmission hotspots that already are exploding on campuses that have "opened up." And that commitment needs to be strong and complete at every single school in the B1G.

Much as I want Buckeye football this fall, I don't want our players put at risk by a bunch of yahoos at programs we play who just don't give a shit.

I guess thinking through your scenario, if their players are being tested daily, including day of games, where is the risk?
 
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I guess thinking through your scenario, if their players are being tested daily, including day of games, where is the risk?
False negatives come to mind. And the notion that results turnaround can be that rapid for entire teams strikes me as ridiculously optimistic.

BTW, ever heard of athletes using fake urine to evade PED tests? Do you seriously believe that wouldn't be a problem here?
 
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False negatives come to mind. And the notion that results turnaround can be that rapid for entire teams strikes me as ridiculously optimistic.

BTW, ever heard of athletes using fake urine to evade PED tests? Do you seriously believe that wouldn't be a problem here?

No, I don’t think players jeopardizing other players via another players spit would be widespread here at all. That actually sounds ludicrous to me....and quite criminal when talking about a disease. People have been arrested for intentionally coughing on others in public. I’d imagine if a player used a fake spit sample, the could literally be arrested for endangering others.

Again, false negatives and positives can easily be ruled out by the cost effectiveness of the test. On game days especially, there is zero reason to not have players take (2) tests at one time, to get a 99.9% accuracy. Just to reiterate, we are talking about a $10 test. Have the kids spit twice at $20 to go the extra step, and ensure safety.

But from the article: "(The Yale test) loses a little bit of sensitivity, but what we gain is speed and that it should be up to 10 times cheaper," Grubaugh said. The Yale test replaces the extraction step with the introduction of a reagent -- chemicals mixed with the saliva sample -- and a short heating process that releases the virus genome. The team found successful results using reagents that are commonly available, meaning labs everywhere could implement the Yale protocol, Grubaugh said.“

With most Big 10 cities having amazing health centers on campus, and surrounding areas, it’s not unreasonable at all to think they couldn’t develop a system of getting 100-150 tests done on a Saturday morning.

Have each player spit into (2) vials around 7am, compile the samples diligently, and transport them to local test centers. If it’s a noon kickoff, you get the results by 11ish. It’d obviously be a lot easier if kickoff was 3:30 so maybe more games get pushed to afternoon/night...which is fine for a season, especially if it gets the kids and parents what they want, which is a season. Only players with (2) negatives on day of game get to play.

It’s very possible.
 
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I genuinely do not believe these guys are that selfish to jeopardize other players.

Look what is happening even at a professional level among baseball, football, and basketball teams. These guys hold one another accountable.

I personally, don’t think you’re giving them nearly enough credit for being responsible.
 
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Ohio high schools are fixing to play football, the Juggalos are still on course to play football, one of the best players in the country has to beg for a chance to play. :roll1:

Shame on the B1G. I don't want to hear about player safety. They didn't even try. They ran to cover their own behinds at the first opportunity. That's why they're hiding.
 
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BTW, ever heard of athletes using fake urine to evade PED tests? Do you seriously believe that wouldn't be a problem here?

I wouldn't bet against Dabo testing another player's spit and calling it Trevor's. That's what I think.

And I thought I was cynical.

The fact that March Madness - it makes billion$ - was cancelled should've told you something. Suddenly, months later, everyone is going to use fake piss and spit.
 
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