The fate of the 2020 college football season remains very much up in the air here in the second week of August, not too far away from what was supposed to be the opening weekend of action.
As administrators in conferences across the country try to determine if they think it will be safe enough to go through with a season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports and rumors are flying at breakneck speed. And sometimes prevailing sentiments about what will happen next slam on the brakes or completely hit reverse.
While we wait to hear about when — or if — the Kansas football season will finally kick off (it won’t be Aug. 29 as planned) it’s important to remember the decisions being made and discussions being had by other Power Five conferences could influence what happens here in Big 12 country and ultimately to KU. So we’ll keep track of it all here until everything gets sorted out.
Les Miles’ second season at KU has to start sometime doesn’t it?
As outlets first began reporting was possible a couple days ago, the Big Ten moved forward Tuesday afternoon with its decision to call off the 2020 season.
The hope for now appears to be to play the season sometime in the spring of 2021, assuming enough has changed in this country and its dealing with COVID by then.
A postponement to me makes a lot more sense than completely canceling everything. In a best case scenario for these teams and their athletes, maybe a full 12-game regular season could even be achieved by then. Maybe. Obviously so much can change between now and then.
Sources: Big Ten is announcing that the fall is cancelled. League will attempt to play in the spring.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 11, 2020
Two sources tells the Free Press that MSU players were pulled from practice today and told the football season is canceled and that the Big Ten is aiming to be push it to spring. A third source at another Big Ten school confirms no football this fall. https://t.co/N2SO73MWUs
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 11, 2020
“The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward,” Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said in a release announcing the conference’s decision. “As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall.”
Obviously the Big Ten didn’t just cancel its fall football season, but also olympic sports, including soccer, volleyball and cross country.
In less than two hours Tuesday afternoon college football lost 40% of its Power Five.
As reports earlier in the week indicated were possible, the Pac-12’s administrators and medical experts had similar worries about COVID-19’s impact on players and punted on playing in 2020, too.
Yahoo’s Pete Thamel, as well as Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger and Pat Forde reported prior to any official word from the Pac-12 that football’s biggest west coast teams, just like their counterparts in the Big Ten, hope to play football in the spring as well.
BREAKING: Pac-12 is canceling its 2020 fall football season, source tells @SINow. Like the Big Ten, it plans to play in the spring. @Brett_McMurphy first.
All eyes now on the next domino, which could bring them all down: the Big 12.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 11, 2020
BREAKING: The PAC-12 presidents have voted to postpone the 2020 college football season, per sources. I’m told the medical experts didn’t sound very encouraging on prospects of being able to play in spring either.. @brett_mcmurphy first reported the news.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 11, 2020
The Pac-12 announced later none of its athletic programs would be competing for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year.
“All of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors understand the importance of this decision, and the disappointment it will create for our student-athletes, the coaches, support staff and all of our fans,” Michael H. Schill, president of the University of Oregon, stated in the conference’s news release. “Ultimately, our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to the health and welfare of student-athletes. We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the New Year.”
The decisions of the Big Ten and Pac-12 didn’t have any immediate impact on the SEC or ACC, hours ahead of a Big 12 teleconference that figured to shape what’s next for KU’s conference.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey gave no indication of a forthcoming pause or cancellation of the season in that conference.
“I look forward to learning more about the factors that led the Big Ten and Pac-12 leadership to take actions today,” Sankey stated. “I remain comfortable with the thorough and deliberate approach that the SEC and our 14 members are taking to support a healthy environment for our student-athletes.”
Statement from @SEC Commissioner @GregSankey pic.twitter.com/8nyweGPBk1
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) August 11, 2020
The ACC sent out a statement with similar language.
“We understand the need to stay flexible and be prepared to adjust as medical information and the landscape evolves,” the ACC’s message concluded.
Statement from the ACC: pic.twitter.com/9lBY5h8jNy
— The ACC (@theACC) August 11, 2020
Whether it’s responsible to play college football during a pandemic has become a polarizing subject for some. In Nebraska, the Corn Huskers aren’t too pleased with the decision to pull the plug on the 2020 season.
Within minutes of the Big Ten announcing its decision, Nebraska chancellor Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska system president Ted Carter, Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos and Nebraska head football coach Scott Frost released a joint statement that included the following:
• “We are very disappointed in the decision … as we have been and continue to be ready to play.”
• “Safety comes first. Based on the conversations with our medical experts, we continue to strongly believe the absolute safest place for our student-athletes is within the rigorous safety protocols, testing procedures and the structure and support provided by Husker Athletics.”
• “We will continue to consult with medical experts and evaluate the situation as it emerges. We hope it may be possible for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to compete.”
Nebraska’s response to today’s decision. #huskers pic.twitter.com/xsjOSQni1y
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) August 11, 2020
This came a day after Frost got out in front of the coming news, stating in a press conference that the Huskers would like to play this fall against non-Big Ten competition if it came to that.
“Our University is committed to playing no matter what, no matter what that looks like and how that looks. We want to play no matter who it is or where it is.”#Huskers HC Scott Frost on opponents for 2020. pic.twitter.com/kTPN9znv0v
— Huskers Radio Network (@HuskersRadio) August 10, 2020
Is such a radical move even possible? If other conferences forge ahead with a fall season, how many teams would be interested in adding another game to an already uncertain season? It would be fascinating if Nebraska played 10 games against non-Big Ten teams. But we’re still a long way from knowing if that will even be an option for them.
