Two anonymous P5 ADs say that canceling the 2020 CFB season is "inevitable"
Being reported by Dennis Dodd at CBS sports.
Spring college football will probably happen.
Per the report, it first depends on the issue of eligibility and scholarships. Next issue would be logistics. It would be difficult to hold two CFB seasons in a single calander year and it won't happen if it's not worth it for all involved. They may up just skipping this season altogether and just shoot for next fall.
Not to mention, there's no indication that the virus will be any more contained by then anyway. If there's a vaccine, there may be a shot. If not, well, I don't see how things are going to be appreciably better
Don’t know why you are so pessimistic. We are clearly better off than we were 4 months ago in terms of testing, therapeutics and knowledge about Covid. There is every reason to think we will be similarly better off 4 months from now.
There are nearly twice as many new cases per day than there were 4 months ago. Part of that is the increased testing capacity, but it doesn't lend any confidence to our ability to contain the virus.
And things are starting to open again despite no real progress being made containing anything. Our national stance on containment seems to be "welp, we give up." Mask wearing is still a political issue.
The only way I see any real improvement between now and then is a vaccine. And even then, a lot of people won't be taking it. Not to mention, we are still in the "first wave," and many theorize there will be multiple waves. I really don't see any reason for optimism barring a vaccine
Comparing cases now to 4 months ago is not a fair comparison. Four months ago, when the pandemic was in it's early stages, the cases being reported were almost entirely the ones already in serious condition. Now, a very large (if not majority) of cases reported are those that are either asymptomatic or with very light symptoms. This is not to downplay the seriousness of the outbreak, but the outlook is much better now than it was in early April.
Don't know about your location, but where I live, people are still not wearing masks. In fact, the local school district opened up last week and told the kids that masks were optional. Until people take this more seriously, it's not going to get better. Also, a vaccine only helps if people are willing to take it. The people refusing to mask are likely the same that are going to refuse to get the vaccine.
We have multiple treatment options we did not have four months ago. Our testing is not good enough but it is significantly better.
Here's an example - my parents just got tested and they won't get the results for 5-6 days. What the hell good does that do? Why is this the case 5 months into the pandemic? To have any hope at all of containing anything, we need results within hours, not days or weeks.
Sure, testing volume is up. That's dandy. Doesn't do much good if they don't come back in a reasonable timeframe
August 9th, 2020 at 10:20 AM ^
Scientifically we know more about the virus than we did months ago, and I guess is a greater knowledge about treatment options (though to say we have therapeutics is a stretch since there is no known antiviral treatment AFAIK). But 4 months ago this country recorded 1800 deaths; yesterday the death count was 1200. That's...an improvement, I guess, but a steady state of 1k deaths isn't a sign we're doing great, especially compared to other countries that actually smashed the curve.
The US knew about this disease in late 2019, saw other countries struggle with it, and still found a way to mess up our handling of it royally. What makes you believe that 4 more months of the same half-ass policies and increased reopening efforts, starting with schools, will magically change the current trajectory?
Or we could look at statistics and assess risk rationally... nah!
Per@cdcgov
Since Feb. 1, 45 American kids under 15 have died of #Covid. 13,088 have died of all other causes.
Since Feb. 1, 11,371 Americans under 55 have died of #Covid (most with serious comorbidities). 189,592 have died of all other causes.
What on earth are we doing?
This is a shitty, stupid and intellectually dishonest take.
Are these people living in some sort of bubble without any contact with people over the age of 55?
Are there not any people under the age of 55 who might have pre-existing conditions that would make them more susceptible to becoming seriously ill or dying from the virus?
Are we not seeing that, while most people won't die from the virus, many may have long-lasting heart, lung and kidney issues as a result of having the virus?
Just focusing on the immediate effects of a young person contracting the virus shows a lack of ability or willingness to engage in even slightly complex thinking.
August 9th, 2020 at 10:28 AM ^
Over 55? CDC just said yesterday they are more worried about kids this fall.
"Are we not seeing that, while most people won't die from the virus, many may have long-lasting heart, lung and kidney issues as a result of having the virus?"
You mean like every single other infection that people get, some have longer lasting side effects? There is nothing--nothing, unique about Covid in this respect.
How many college students that you know live with people over 55? Put another way, do you think it's possible they can avoid people over 55 who are vulnerable? Of course they can, FFS. What possible obstacle to them avoiding them is there? Zero.
Fear and blind emotion over statistical risk and objective facts win every day. Your take is suitable for flat earth and Salem witch trial thinking.
Yes, you're the complex thinker
I am as unWavering in my optimism as you are in your pessimism.
From an eligibility point of view, aren’t they better off having a spring season? If players get in their season, there is no need/argument to give them an extra season in fall 2021 and you don’t have the challenges of those kids getting an extra season while 2021 freshman come in.
it creates a big challenge for players that have a shot at going pro for sure. If you are a sure-fire draft pick, easy choice not to play, but if you are on the margins, really tough call.
Here's another hiccup I thought about while mowing my lawn. Spring season would likely overlap with the NFL draft. If I am a talented player with NFL options, do I even bother to play and risk getting hurt that close to the draft? A fall season ends in early January, normally. This gives me at least 3-4 months to rehab before the draft. If I tear or strain something a week before the draft, playing a likely meaningless season, I will regret it for a very long time.
A couple of other things along those lines. What does a spring season mean? Will they start in the spring or end in the spring? Would the NFL move their draft back? I can't see how the season could overlap the draft without causing a lot more problems. NFL teams aren't going to sign anyone still playing and won't want their draft picks to keep playing. That's hundreds of of the best players.
Will it? It's been about 5 months of this and look where the US is at now. Spring football is only another 6ish months from now. I hope it will happen, but the US' strategy here has consistently been try a few things half assed and act incredulous when nothing changes. I hope we're in a much better spot in 5 months but I wouldn't bet any money on it
August 9th, 2020 at 10:21 AM ^
We're all gonna get Corona. No matter how much social distancing you do.
Honesty is the best policy
Just rip the band aid off and get it over with.
If you’re going to die, would you rather take a bullet to the head, or get five in the chest and bleed to death?
Vat of hot acid.
i'm no doctor, but 5 in the chest seems like a pretty high likelihood of quick death as well...
What if the one to the head only grazes me or gets embedded in my skull? Do you know how long it took me to get my part-line just the way I wanted it? With a scar like that, I'll never have good hair. You're a monster.
August 9th, 2020 at 12:41 PM ^
Small caliber issues. .45 ACP or stay home.
August 9th, 2020 at 11:10 AM ^
Are those my only two choices?
At 89 years of age, in my 28 year-old mistress‘ bed, pumped full of Red Bull, Viagra and Brawndo.
Not by some shitty wanna-be-Ebola virus that I catch in my mid 40s at Meijer because the sneezy Fratstar buying his case of Moslon thinks masks are for pussies.
And then there's this:
https://twitter.com/MattHayesCFB/status/1292218344943255554?s=19
Power 5 AD just texted: “You and your colleagues are chasing the wrong story. The virus alone is enough to stop the season. But presidents are terrified of players organizing. It’s the paradigm shift to change amateur sports. You potentially lose one season with the virus. You lose the entire framework of your mission statement with players organizing. They need time to figure out how to attack it.”
CFB (and college athletics in general) as we know it could be coming to an end.
That's one angle under serious consideration. It's going to be a long rest of year.
August 9th, 2020 at 10:36 AM ^
That sound you hear is the ice cracking under the entire college sports landscape.
August 9th, 2020 at 12:13 PM ^
The anti-NIL crowd have been pining for a truly Amateur model for years. Right now we have a pretend amateur model whereas NIL rights would give Football and Basketball a hybrid model.
Now that the players are in the early stages of organizing - one of the two things will happen:
1. Everybody uses common sense and figures out the details around the NIL model.
2. NFL is forced to pay for a minor league / developmental proven for the top prospects. NBA is already on this road - only question is whether it ends up being 10 players or 50 players.
#1 keeps things pretty much as is on the field / court.
#2 means that college football and basketball get gutted on the top talent and look more like baseball and hockey. A few top guys on the best teams but mostly 2nd tier athletes.
Nothing wrong with #2 and I could easily make an argument that this model probably fits better with the foundational mission of a University; however, don’t expect the pomp and pageantry and tv popularity for these sports if we aren’t seeing the top athletes compete.
Speaking for myself here, obviously, but I really hope that college football doesn't go the "G-league" route. I am sort of OK with the current state of affairs in basketball because it isn't anywhere near destroying college basketball. But I can easily see these developmental leagues expanding quite rapidly over time and nabbing most of the top talent in both football and basketball. I have little interest in pro football and basketball games. Why would I want to watch their minor league games?
Yeah, it'll be pretty interesting to see what happens with minor league football. The fan bases for the universities largely aren't going anywhere, and a new football league will have to start from scratch in terms of fans, and minor league sports are notoriously hard to draw fans for. As a top player, given the choice between college and minor league football, what choice do you make? I honestly still think college, depending on pay of the minor league teams
#2 please. Let's get back to college sports and let the pros go be pros.
The TV popularity will be just fine. People LOVE to cheer for their school/team.
This is my vote. I would just as readily watch a team of UM walk-ons play as much as a team of 5 stars *provided* that the opponent team is at the same skill level. If the NFL opens up (or a viable pro minor league becomes an option) such that most 4 and 5 stars just go there instead of college (assuming they don't actually want to stay and get a degree first), that should be fine. It would actually open up full ride scholarships for kids that would otherwise be paying to get 4 year degrees and doing football on the side... actual student-athletes.
The sky is NOT falling! The world will get through this pandemic like all of the others we have faces (including World Wars). Yes, that very well might require a season cancellation or postponement, but let’s all get a grip. Most of these “stories” won’t be stories a year from now.
This has been inevitable for months. The only shocking or surprising thing is that it's taking this long.
You hear that, Mr. Anderson? That's the sound of inevitability, that's the sound of your death. Goodbye, Mr. Anderson.
My name is Power Conference Football!
cowards. Pro sports are happening. Why cancel college?
Pro sports are struggling. And they are professionals. Hard to justify amateur athletes being put at risk.
Pro sports shouldn't be happening either imo. Sports are only going to contribute to the spread of the virus and make it that much harder to return to any sense of "normalcy."
I cant watch the pro sports for numerous reasons BUT without the crowds? BORING
Tigers have actually played some exciting games this year. They won’t win the WS but they have been fun to watch (like 1st inning last night).
The Tigers have been a pleasant surprise this season. It's a shortened regular season where the law of averages may not take a foothold. I guess I am saying the Tigers will win the WS this year. I even put $1 on a futures bet so before anyone says anything I put my money where my mouth is.
You must be the kind of person that requires a laugh track to know when the show is being funny
OK, then let’s all go back to watching Murder She Wrote and Golden Girls reruns. That’s exciting! Some of my fellow Wolverines need to get out and take a walk.
Show us where European Soccer leagues, MLS, NBA, or NHL restarts have contributed to the spread. Certain leagues have figured this out. Those that can should be able to play.
Even MLB is able to play. The Marlins and Cardinals have had to stop at times but at least they are containing the spread, not perpetuating it.
Soccer leagues in Europe have continued in countries where the number of new cases is minuscule compared to ours. It’s an apples and oranges comparison.
MLS, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA etc etc All do an incredible amount of testing. More testing than college athletic departments can get their hands on. Pro leagues can also stay in a bubble if they wish (we see what happens with MLB without one but there’s 3x as many football players and staff as baseball if you don’t count walk ons, more if you do) while college sports can’t because they’re on campuses.
MLB games are easier to reschedule as well. You can do double headers. If a football team has to cancel, how do you reschedule? Only so many chances to do so. A lot more difficult to navigate.
Look at all the precautions they’ve taken to get pro sports back:
- bubble (NBA/NHL)
- frequent testing (multiple per week)
- strict guidelines for players on what they can/can’t do on off time
None of these are possible for college football or other college sports.