A season on the brink? As COVID-19 cases rise, the college football season could face heavy impact
This has been a difficult subject that many people who follow college football have not wanted to talk about. Eventually it needs to be discussed, and I’ll start it off right here and now.
If you don’t wear your damn masks and do proper social distance measures, there won’t be a college football season. See, you see how freeing that honesty can be?
In the last week and change, numbers regarding newly confirmed coronavirus cases have skyrocketed around the nation. Whether it be a first wave continuing or a second wave beginning, the numbers are also impacting the college football world. Clemson had 20+ cases and LSU had an alarming 30 players in quarantine, this isn’t even including the states of Florida and Texas who have both seen their case numbers jump. For those of you who may say, “well every team is going to have these issues” then imagine this happening during the season. Because it will and you’re gonna see multiple players have to be quarantined a mandatory two weeks, not exactly the best way to assure student athlete health.
So, what does that mean for the college football season? Well, it is in serious danger of seeing some major alterations to conference scheduling or being canceled all together.
Here is a look at the top non-conference games around the nation that could be in serious jeopardy.
Aug. 29
Notre Dame vs. Navy (Annapolis)
Originally set for Ireland, ESPN’s plans to start the season overseas have now been impacted by the coronavirus. The game has now been moved to Navy’s campus in Annapolis, MD where the Fighting Irish will take on the Midshipmen for the first time in the history of the rivalry.
Sept. 3
BYU at Utah
The Holy War on a Thursday night? Sounds like a great way to start off the season. Although the two teams are in-state rivals the lack of a college football season holds off these two rivals from playing in 2020.
Sept. 4
North Carolina at Central Florida
Sept. 5
Michigan at Washington
Jimmy Lake’s first game as Washington’s head coach vs. Jim Harbaugh needing a big win to jump-start an important campaign? Could be in serious danger.
Other games of note
Florida State vs. West Virginia (Atlanta)
Alabama vs. USC (Arlington)
TCU at CAL
Sept. 12
Ohio State at Oregon
A College Football Playoff preview? For the winner, they take a step closer to the playoff while the loser would have to take the more difficult path to the playoff.
Other games of note
North Carolina vs. Auburn (Atlanta)
Texas at LSU
Tennessee at Oklahoma
Penn State at Virginia Tech
Sept. 19
Florida State at Boise State
It is very rare for Florida State to make a trip out west of the Mississippi River (nine times since 2000) so without a season, who knows when the Noles come out west again?
Sept. 26
Cincinnati at Nebraska
The Cincinnati Bearcats have been pegged as the team from the “Group of 5” to watch in 2020. Without the Nebraska game on the schedule, that could potentially impact what happens to Cincinnati’s hopes for a New Year’s Six bid.
Other games of note
Oklahoma at Army
Miami at Michigan State
Oct. 3
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin (Green Bay)
It’s Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin, at Lambeau Field. Hello, put on a mask and you do your part on possibly making this game still happen.
Nov. 6
BYU at Boise State
This game is always a fun and entertaining affair, it would be a shame if we didn’t get to see it in 2020.
Nov. 7
Clemson at Notre Dame
Perhaps the last hurdle for Clemson before the playoff, or could it be a fatal stumbling block that keeps them out of the playoff?
Nov. 28
Notre Dame at USC
Florida at Florida State
Two rivalries that have rarely seen a gap in play over the decades of battle, all of that could be gone or even delayed due to a season cancellation.
A fall full of empty Saturdays and games that are on the brink of delay and or cancellation. Do your part, wear a mask along with doing proper social distancing and maybe, just maybe...we get ourselves a college football season.
This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 2:45 PM.
