Big 12 Releases Revised Conference Schedule, Pushes Forward With Fall Football Season

As the Big 12 plans to have a fall football season, the University of Oklahoma football players are ready to be on the field.

As talks of postponing fall sports have circulated for weeks, football players across the country have been voicing their desire to play, including OU's likely starting quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler tweeted, "We NEED football, the country NEEDS football! We understand the precautions we have to take every single day for this to happen and we are more than willing to do that. There's been too much hard work put in to bring everything to a (halt). #WeWantToPlay !!!"

News 9's sports analyst Dusty Dvoracek said he expects to see teams throughout the Big 12 being put through new safety protocols.

"Expect to see more COVID-19 testing implemented throughout big 12 schools also cardiac test for players with enlarged hearts and potentially what COVID19 can do with them and their heart situation," said Dvoracek.

Officials said each player will take three COVID-19 tests per week and return to play protocols will be in place following a positive test.

As for OU officials, they said they have worked all summer to manage COVID-19 risks, and since football practices started, only one positive case has been reported.

"These next three weeks are crucial. These players are going to have to be responsible and really display a level of professionalism that most college athletes wouldn't have to," said Dvoracek.

The schedule has the Big 12 kicking off on September 26.

Each team must complete their one non-conference match-up by the Big 12 start date, but each game will be announced individually.

As for fan attendance, OU and OSU stadiums will be open, but capacities will be set by each university conference-wide.

As of Wednesday, the ACC and SEC are also pushing forward with fall sports.