I always get a chuckle when player safety is brought up (particularly with Covid) in the context of football when there are so many injuries in college football. I do think I’m the case of the Montana schools that prepping for a season beginning in February is pushing it. Don’t know when the season stArt date was set but it would seem to be a valid decision right off the bat. Just have to wonder if things are going to start to unravel in big sky and if trying to do a 6 game schedule with Covid not getting better is going to work out logistically given all the rules/restrictions.

agalum one thing that most politicians, especially in California, are NOT shifting on is the idea that the demonstrations that occurred during the week just before that upturn had ZERO impact on the surge. If so, I see ZERO reason you couldn’t have several thousand sports fans well spread out at A’s, Giants or Aggie games. Masked, but spread out 6 feet or so.

That’s my one and only COVID opinion post

Agee completely. Very weird seeing completely empty football stadiums on west cost that seat 70,000 plus. Diversity in CA is a religion until it comes to politics and thought. Looking forward to more “normal times” and all of the atmosphere that makes college football great.

I think the majority of football players at Davis realize they are not going pro and would complete their degrees in 5 years (redshirt year included). So unless they want to stay around for graduate school and still play-I don’t see a lot of logic in another year of eligibility. If those slots are taken, seems like you are mortgaging against the incoming freshman cohort in future years. If this is the situation across all FCS then it seems reasonable- but others have already played this fall and likely will have more than a 6 game season. If you are putting all your chips in for fall 2021 it might make sense, but I still think it’s not the best way to go (allowing another year) at this level.

my point was the lack of logic in limiting spectators to that few. In an outdoor stAdium with say 70,000 seats you limit spectators to say maybe 500 at most? I can see no tailgating, but to limit to that extent in an outdoor facility seems draconian. You could have a half-way decent experience with a spread out band and say 10% or 15% of capacity.

agree. I think if a team or league opts out of playing then you should be prepared to move on and not retain scholarships. Players still get their education. It may be unfortunate but that’s life. As you say, make room for the next cohort and hit the real world.

Just saw a trailer on espn that pac-12 was only going to allow patents/relatives into games with no general public allowed. I first thought that was stupid, but then realized, that at least for the Bay Area schools, it’s about their normal attendance anyway.....

Obviously. Did you see Jabrel Cox (NDSU transfer) now at LSU. Long time since he’s lost a game.

I think Mississippi State has a better defense than Wazu. Great win for Miss. State. Win lose or draw they will be exciting. I would not be happy if I was a Cougar fan. Lost a good coach and comedian.

Fun game to watch. I am pulling for the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State ahead of LSU near half with KJ Costello at QB and Mike Leach at helm.

Had to chuckle at the LSU cheerleaders holding up “make noise” signs while wearing masks.

Fresno State and San Jose State would be at a disadvantage compared to others I would guess due to practice restrictions.

....back to the topic. Mountain west will begin football, and a week ahead of PAC-10. MAC to play also. That would leave only 3 FBS schools refraining from football this fall.

pac-12 has many things to iron out - especially while “there is nothing to prevent them from playing” (Governors’ words) some coaches have noted that they have been unable to practice due to restrictions and many players have gone home. Restrictions have not been equal across the respective areas.

Don’t know how recent this was but receiving a Rhodes scholarship is quite impressive.

https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2020/8/28/aggie-evo-the-road-to-the-rhodes-tiger-garcia.aspx

Georgia Southern vs Campbell (down the road in Buies Creek, NC) was a very entertaining game. Campbell has restarted football after about a 40 year hiatus. They resumed in the Pioneer League and are now in the big south conference. Georgia Southern (now FBS after several 1AA titles) had something like 30 players (7 starters) out. No disclosure of discipline or Covid issues. Campbell lost by 1 point after going for the win with a 2point conversion. Kicker had missed an extra point and close field goal. Their QB reminded me of Barrier with combination of pass/run skills.

I think the schools/conferences currently playing (with stated desire to do so by players) have triggered a change in the attitude of the hold-out leagues by showing it can be done. Sure there may be some hiccups, but all in all it is a net positive for players/schools/students/bands and alums.

Personally I think it is either play this fall or bag it till next fall. Most leagues will have played and it would be weird playing on a “temporal island” not to mention that spring is just weird to be playing football. It’s possible that FCS might go in spring given more unanimity in no-play decision this fall.

Central Arkansas woke up at end of game to beat Austin Peay. Both teams looked very rough most of game. UAB then beat Central Arkansas pretty handily the next Thursday night. UAB has a running back that is a beast. They play Miami tonight.

Central Arkansas has about 8 games scheduled this fall. So they just pretty much went OOC to get games. I think Austin Peay is playing Pitt soon. Anyway glad at least some are getting to play. Also saw SF Austin play UTEP. UTEP not quite as awful as usual and beat SFA. No. Arizona had beaten UTEP last year. Saw Houston Baptist play north Texas. HBU has run and gun fun to watch offense. So some FCS teams are playing.

didn’t know that. I would agree with your premonitions that Lance will leave early, but I think he won’t come out this year. Who knows - everything is sort of upside down now.

it is safer now for the UNC football players in that that courses are all distance and and so will not be mingling with classmates. Players are tested weekly at UNC (or more frequently) from a newscast I watched yesterday. Will be interesting to see how this plays out. In the general student population, partying seems to be the issue - at Norte Dame the recent outbreak is associated with that and most that tested positive were male seniors (my wife said “no surprise there”)I don’t think the postponement/cancellation of football will have an extreme impact on those who are going to school primary for a degree. For those whose whole life and hopes lie with football (like last-chance U types) it will likely be psychologically devastating. I suspect some will drop out and go home to not so good environments.

I think rolling over a year of eligibility for everyone would have really effected programs for the next several years. People tend to focus on the seniors getting another year, but it’s everyone. How can you recruit next season’s freshman class, when you have a full freshman class in house? There are only so many slots available.

Exactly right. Are you implying that decision has been made, i.e., not to grant another year of eligibility or are you assuming a spring season avoids the issue?