Ohio State AD 'very concerned' about fall sports

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith is no longer cautiously optimistic about the prospect of team sports in the fall.

In a teleconference with reporters Thursday, Smith expressed doubt about the college football season taking place as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spike in the United States.

"I'm really concerned," he said, according to Ari Wasserman of The Athletic. "When you look at the behavior of our country and in May, we were on a downward trajectory. ... Now, if we are not the worst in the world, one of the worst in the world."

The Big Ten announced it has shifted to a conference-only football schedule. Smith said he's hopeful for a 10-game conference schedule, but noted a drastic change needs to be made if games are to be played with fans in the stands.

"People need to follow the protocols and give our kids a chance to compete," he added, according to Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch.