The Big 12 joined the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Southeastern Conference, the American Athletic Conference and others in deciding to play fall football while the Big Ten, Mountain West, Mid-American, Pac-12 and other conferences canceled fall football and will try to play in the spring.

Big 12 officials and school leaders think the health protocols they have in place will make players, coaches and staff members safe from the coronavirus.

The top two finishers in the regular season Big 12 standings will compete in the 2020 championship game, which is scheduled for Dec. 12, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Dates are subject to change, and kickoff times and television information will be released in the future.

“Any (player) who tests positive (for COVID-19) before they go back to any form of activity is going to have to have a cardiac MRI, an EKG, an echocardiogram and a troponin (blood) test,” Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said.

Bowlsby, who is a member of the College Football Playoff management committee, said Wednesday that there is a playoff call soon to discuss the recent changes.