Report: Multiple Ohio State Players Test Positive for COVID-19

Saturday's Ohio State vs. Illinois game could be in jeopardy after multiple Buckeyes tested positive for COVID-19, according to Dave Biddle of 247Sports. 

Per Kyle Rowland of the Toledo Blade, Ohio State's positive tests affect "multiple position groups." A decision regarding this weekend's game will be made Thursday. 

Ohio State had its matchup against Maryland canceled two weeks ago amid a COVID-19 outbreak among Maryland players, per ESPN's Heather Dinich.

More recently, the Big Ten has dealt with an outbreak in the Minnesota program, which had sidelined nine players and six staff members in the days before the cancellation of their Saturday game against Wisconsin. That cancellation was the first of the season for Minnesota but the third for the Badgers, who missed two consecutive games earlier this season because of positive tests within their program. 

Big Ten rules dictate that teams must play at least six times to be eligible for the conference championship game. So if Saturday's contest is canceled, the No. 3 Buckeyes—who at 4-0 were No. 4 in the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings—must complete scheduled games against Michigan State (Dec. 5) and Michigan (Dec. 12) to have a chance at the trophy. However, the rule will change if the average number of games played dips under six conferencewide.