Pac-12 to make decision on potential fall football season Thursday

Following a meeting Friday, the Pac-12 CEO group said a decision on a potential fall football season would be made when the parties reconvene Thursday.

"The Pac-12 CEO Group had an informative and productive meeting earlier today," the group said in a statement. "We plan to reconvene this coming Thursday, September 24 to make a decision regarding possible return to play prior to January 1. The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports will continue to be our number one priority in all of our decision-making."

The conference is following in the footsteps of the Big Ten and considering playing sooner than anticipated after initially postponing the fall season due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and attempting to play in the new year.

The Big Ten announced this week it is planning to kick off its football season the weekend of Oct. 24. Several players who previously opted out followed suit by announcing their intentions to reverse course and opt back in.

Athletic directors in the Pac-12 are targeting Oct. 31 for the beginning of its season, according to Jon Wilner of The Mercury News.

Schools in California and Oregon initially didn't have state approval to hold team activities, but governors in both states indicated Wednesday there wouldn't be restrictions preventing the conference from having a season.