Michigan-Ohio State football game canceled due to COVID-19

(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Michigan and Ohio State will not be playing each other this year due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Wolverines' football program.

The cancelation of one of college football's biggest rivalry games, which was scheduled to be played on Saturday, comes after Michigan already canceled a Dec. 5 matchup against Maryland.

"The number of positive tests has continued to trend in an upward direction over the last seven days," said Michigan Athletics Director Warde Manuel in a statement. "Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close-contact individuals. This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making."

Michigan had been cleared by medical personnel for limited workouts on Monday, but made the decision to cancel the annual rivalry game after conversations with medical experts, health department officials and university administration.

Ohio State is 5-0 this season, but needs six games played in order to compete in the Big Ten Championship against Northwestern. Big Ten officials are meeting Wednesday and could change the rule, ESPN reported.

If Ohio State wasn't able to find another Big Ten opponent for Saturday and the rules weren't changed, Indiana would make the Big Ten Championship.

Michigan currently has a 2-4 record in a down year, losing games to Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Wolverines have only won two games against Ohio State since 2003. This is the first year the teams won't match up since 1917.

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