–@RossDellenger: “Many thought the Big Ten’s decision, or pending decision, would put pressure on other conferences to make a similar decision. … What we’re seeing now is wild. The Big Ten is the one now with immense pressure coming from within.”
HY was just on finebaum, said they were still planning on playing, looking for the best possible way to do it, but everything could change in the future but as of now,they’re planning on trying to play it sounded like.
I see no reason to decide now. I think they rushed shutting down baseball a bit soon last spring. They probably could have played it since it was outdoors & unlike basketball & football, requires less close contact. At that time there were very few cases in the south & the odds were good it could have been played. Of course, there would have been a good argument to limit fans in the stands.
Regardless, no one is going to catch the virus by “still planning to play.”
I agree.
I do think if the Big 14 and the Pac 12 shut down it puts pressure on the other three P5 leagues. As Richard noted in another thread, it’s a gamble to play. They could get through the season and look brilliant, or have a bunch of cases (and even worse, myocarditis or fatalities) and look like they put money ahead of health,
I just think it’s too early to decide. They have plenty of time to delay a decision. In the meantime, it’s good to plan on playing. I think they will start the season in the SEC, ACC and probably the Big 10. The Pac-12 is a whole different conversation and we all know that.
If the SEC and ACC play, and no one else plays, it will be huge in the players’/recruits’ eyes. on Twitter, Ohio State players are wanting to join the SEC ( I remarked that the SEC would be happy to give them a home and home with us), to be able to play football. Nebraska would clearly join us.
Recruits are commenting on this as well.
It’s amazing to me, what effect Twitter can have on rational adults’ comments. There is a huge backlash ongoing, as we old folks type here.
GHG
I’m stunned that the Big Ten just thought everybody else would just fall in line.
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Watching the Big Ten Network right now, there is a continuous crawler on the bottom of the screen quoting players and coaches about wanting to play. Already there are reports that Nebraska and Iowa may go independent for this season and find teams to play. The reports that came out earlier today that this was the beginning of the inevitable cancellation of football are now looking to be premature. They still may cancel (or more likely postpone), but it sure isn’t a done deal yet.
There’s no need to rush the decision. I still think the inevitable decision will be to cancel the season at some point—perhaps not until after it has started—but once several outbreaks occur on campuses or on teams. However, “waiting to see” won’t increase the spread.
Latest I’m seeing:
Pac-12 is probably going to pull the plug today. Momentum to shut down in the Big Ten has slowed but presidents very concerned about liability for players who get sick and sustain permanent organ damage (such as the Indiana player) or die. ACC and SEC pushing forward toward playing. Big Twelve is split down the middle and could go either way.
Big 12 may gain some Big Ten schools for this season
Writing is on the wall with the liability issue and no waivers.
But it would appear the writing was with an erasable pen.
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Recruits might be wanting to play but plenty of parents I talk to aren’t on board.
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I feel like college football taking its lead from our national leadership.
We don’t have any national strategy to control and fight the pandemic. It is 50 states having 50 different strategies. And Puerto Rico probably makes it 51.
Football is following the same path. Every conference having its own strategy and decision making. No national leadership. It is destined for failure just like the fight against pandemic is.
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We quit having national leadership in college football, if we ever had it, when the Supreme Court shot down the NCAA TV package in 1984. Even before that it was largely the conferences – and the bowls.
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