Many people have strong opinions on the @bigten decision to cancel football this year. Why would they do it? I think there are several factors involved that fans, coaches, administrators, and players have different perspectives on. Let's review. #CollegeFootball
First, we've had a few outbreaks of the virus so far this summer in college football. Rutgers is just one of the most recent outbreaks. nj.com/rutgersfootbal…
Michigan State's team was put under quarantine a few weeks ago after an outbreak. If this happened during the season they would miss two week of play. cbssports.com/college-footba…
Alabama also had a "small" outbreak of coronavirus this Summer. The players recovered and they have continued to push for football this year. wsj.com/articles/alaba…
South Carolina football has seen a 5% positive rate among their players in the testing they have done this Summer. Note: this is the rate with very low density on campus. charlotteobserver.com/sports/college…
College ADs and Commissioners have been watching MLB and NBA closely to see how playing during the pandemic is working. College will be much closer to MLB than NBA (there is no college football bubble). nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/…
The MLB example is very sobering. The number of postponed games is high. Players who have been diagnosed have had serious complications, most notably Eduardo Rodriguez of the Red Sox. usatoday.com/story/sports/m…
What does all of this mean? The implication is pretty clear-- there will continue to be outbreaks during the season. The likelihood of cancelled games and games with last minute roster changes would be high. si.com/college/2020/0…
Also, even with limited fans, football could bring together groups that are far larger than public health experts would warrant. And then there are the off campus parties to consider as well. usatoday.com/story/news/edu…
The high likelihood of cancelled or altered games due to outbreaks, the already shortened schedules, and the relatively poor example from MLB, it does not look like this is going to work without a strict bubble. And college football does not have a bubble.
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