ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel strongly rebuked any notion that the Wolverines would try to avoid facing rival Ohio State in the regular-season finale, calling the notion "ridiculous" and infuriating in a scathing statement Wednesday.

Manuel spoke hours after Michigan's game against Maryland this weekend was canceled because of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Wolverines' program. The outbreak could also threaten Michigan's annual rivalry game against Ohio State on Dec. 12 - and the Buckeyes' chances to play for a Big Ten title.

Ohio State had to cancel its game last week at Illinois because of a spike in COVID-19 cases in its program. It was the second game the Buckeyes (4-0) have lost from their regular-season schedule. One more would leave them unable to reach a conference-mandated minimum to be eligible for the Big Ten championship game.