While many of you spent the better half of the last 72 hours constantly refreshing sports sites waiting for an answer to come from the chaos that has been college football – some of you may not be as in tune to what has been going on in the sports world.
So, ICYMI: It looks as though the Southeast will see college football this fall. 🏈
On Tuesday evening, statements made by SEC + ACC officials made it clear that both conferences are planning to move forward with football this fall, following Big 10 + Pac-12’s decisions to cancel their fall seasons due to COVID-19 concerns. See SEC statement here + ACC statement here.
However, during an emergency meeting on Monday, an ACC official stated, “I don’t know if there is a drop dead time period [to decide]. We don’t start play until Sept. 12 as a league.” Additionally, SEC Commissioner Greg Sanky stated, “We know concerns remain. We have never had a [football] season in a COVID-19 environment. Can we play? I don’t know. We haven’t stopped trying.”
What this translates to is while these conferences are planning to have fall seasons, things could change in the coming weeks. But for now, here’s what the 2020-21 season is slated to look like for our local teams:
🐔 University of South Carolina | Conference-only schedule here | The Gamecocks will be participating in a 10-game conference-only schedule, with the team’s first game slated for Sat., Sep. 26.
🐅 Clemson University | Schedule here | The Tigers will be participating in an 11-game schedule, with the team’s first game slated for Sat., Sep. 12.
🏈 While both the SEC + ACC have plans to move forward with the fall season, both divisions remain steadfast that the rival teams will not play each other. This means that the Palmetto Bowl will remain cancelled for the first time in over 100 years.
The highlight reel
Let’s roll it back. Over the course of the week, social media was alive with players, coaches + fans weighing in on the possibilities of the season. Here are some of the highlights:
○ Who’s going with the Big 10? Anyone?
○ Well, definitely not the SEC
○ UofSC + Clemson fans don’t agree on much, but UofSC quarterback Ryan Hilinski retweeted Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence’s Twitter post to show his support for the upcoming season.
○ Even President Trump joined in
○ But really, though, is Coach Spurrier wrong?
○ And, I’m sure we can all relate to this confused Cocky
Turning it over to you, the fans
While no official decision has been announced regarding spectator attendance, UofSC Athletic Director Ray Tanner is assessing different scenarios such as limiting stadium seating capacity, and the Clemson Athletics Department recently polled IPTAY 2020-21 season ticket holders to collect feedback on various scenarios including a fall kickoff with no fans present or limiting stadium capacity.
As a fan, what scenario would allow you to enjoy the 2020-21 football season as much as possible while still feeling comfortable during the COVID-19 pandemic? Let us know in the poll below.