Every day leading up to the college football season feels like waiting for the other shoe to drop. The coronavirus pandemic is still ravaging our country and that is forcing changes across sports leagues. Professional leagues are engaging in discussions between players unions and the owners to promote safety. The reality of the NCAA is that players are not paid and it is more difficult to justify putting them in harm's way.
The MEAC and Ivy League have already canceled their football seasons. The Big Ten announced that it will solely play conference games this season, which has a rippling effect on smaller programs like the MAC. When the Big Ten announced that they would only play in-conference games, it meant that Nebraska and Northwestern would be removed from Central Michigan's roster. Central Michigan tight end Tony Poljan, a potential draft prospect, decided to transfer so that he would have the opportunity to show his skills against Power 5 schools. He has since landed at Virginia. Group of five teams are not only losing statement games, but they could be watching as their talent bolts for greener pastures. If the SEC were to play a conference-only schedule, it would remove Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Louisville and Eastern Illinois from UK's schedule. Kentucky, and other SEC programs, would likely be on the hook for payments owed to those schools regardless of whether or not the games are played.
The reason for conference-only games is that teams would be playing the same opponents. It limits travel to certain towns and interactions with fewer people. If UK and Louisville meet late in the season, then the Cardinals will have traveled to Syracuse, Clemson and other schools. The Wildcats would be exposed to players that have traveled to different parts of the country whereas a conference-only schedule would limit exposure to only member cities.
NFL Media's "Move the Sticks" podcast speculated about whether or not G5 schools might push their respective seasons back to the spring to allow more time for a vaccine. Those schools are not getting the type of television deals that the Oregons, Indianas, Kentuckys, Oklahoma States and N.C. State's of the world receive. They rely on ticket sales. With states like Pennsylvania already prohibiting large crowds, it would mean zero attendance for schools in that state, which would deter schools that rely on attendance from playing. If leagues wait until the spring to play, then potential draft picks will not be able to go through pre-NFL Draft events, such as the NFL Combine and senior showcases. The NFL Draft has taken place at the end of the April in recent years. If games are played as scheduled this fall, then it will certainly mean changes to game day atmosphere and seating capacity.
If the college football season does go on as planned, what happens if a player tests positive? One would think that they will be quarantined for a few weeks, which would mean the loss of at least one and potentially more games. What if that player is Terry Wilson or another key player? What if Kyle Trask at Florida tests positive? It could have huge implications on the coming season. I firmly believe that UK is fielding one of their most talented, deep rosters this fall but there is so much that must go off without a hitch for it to be a success.
There is also a discussion that draft-eligible players might choose to sit out this season rather than contracting COVID-19 or putting together bad film in an unorthodox year. In all likelihood, the only players that will consider this option are those that receive early round grades. Those projected to be taken on Day 2 or later will likely be motivated by the opportunity to improve their stock.
The Southeastern Conference announced that their institutions will honor a player's scholarship even if the player determines that they are uncomfortable playing for health or safety reasons. The NCAA could eventually take it a step further and allow that player to retain a year of eligibility as well.
Despite players returning to campus, there is so much left to sort out before the Week 1 kickoff. No one knows what will happen but there are big time ramifications behind each decision.
"football" - Google News
July 20, 2020 at 07:02AM
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Coronavirus could force more change across college football - 247Sports
"football" - Google News
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