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This coming weekend’s game between the Michigan State Spartans and Maryland Terrapins in College Park, Maryland is officially set for a noon kickoff. This marks the fifth time in five games this season that Michigan State plays in the early slot.
Noon kickoff at Maryland on @BigTenNetwork next Saturday. #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/lncOSBoHgz
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) November 15, 2020
While the majority of kickoff announcements have been released 12 days prior to the game this season, this news comes just six days out.
Of course, there is certainly a possibility that this game doesn’t happen at all. Maryland had to cancel its game against Ohio State on Nov. 14 due to an “elevated number of COVID-19 cases” within the program.
Meanwhile in Michigan, it was announced today by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that a new three-week shutdown is in effect for the state, including college athletics to some degree. However, at this time it seems the restrictions for college sports only affect attendance, as family and friends will no longer be permitted to attend games, and as has been the case all season, no fans of any kind will be allowed into the stadium. Surely something to keep an eye on, though.
Michigan's new order says "professional and college sports meeting extraordinary standards for risk mitigation may continue without spectators, however all other organized sports must stop,"
— Brandon Champion (@BrandonthaChamp) November 15, 2020
College sports should be able to continue.
After being soundly defeated by Northwestern in the opening game, Maryland now enters this contest with a 2-1 record following victories over Minnesota and Penn State. Meanwhile, Michigan State limps into College Park with a 1-3 record after being outscored by a total score of 73-7 in its last two contests against Iowa and Indiana.
The Terps open up as three-point favorites.