Football games outside of the conference have not been ruled out this fall at three Power 5 conferences.
In fact, three Power 5 conferences are actively trying to preserve their 14 out-of-conference games between ACC, Big 12 and SEC after Big Ten and Pac-12 last week opted to cancel all non-conference games like the COVID-19 pandemic is taking over the country.
Plans may change, especially as the SEC leads the charge to make a decision in late July regarding the upcoming season and the league’s soccer schedule. COVID-19 cases are on the rise and concerns from overburdened hospitals have jeopardized the season, prompting college coaches and administrators to ask fans to wear protective masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
As those public relations campaigns accelerate, so is behind-the-scenes work to save non-conference games between Power 5 programs. Strange Men: FCS and Group 5 programs. Power 5 are discussing various scheduling options, which could also be modified in the next two weeks. One or all three may switch to an eight-game conference time with one or two non-conference games; a nine-game conference schedule with a non-conference game against a Power 5 opponent; and a 10 game schedule, for conferences only.
Four schools could lose games if a nine-plus schedule is approved in late July: the state of Florida, Georgia, West Virginia, and Georgia Tech. It seems likely that an eight-plus-two schedule would maintain the 14 non-game conference between the three Power 5 conferences, but would lead to the cancellation of non-conference games against other FBS and FCS opponents. Unless, of course, conferences decide on an eight game schedule with one FCS / Group 5 school plus one against a Power 5 team.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey This week it became clear that recent trends in COVID-19 infections must change for soccer to play this season.
“We have gone in the wrong direction and that is problematic,” Sankey said Monday on The Paul Finebaum Show after a meeting with conference athletic directors. “That doesn’t mean that is the finish line and that things will never change. We have seen the news about COVID-19 alter in different ways for several weeks. And what we have identified is an opportunity in late July for a important check-up to see our public health reality. From the beginning we were told to take as much time as possible to make a better decision. “
Notre Dame is expected to be an honorary member of the ACC for the 2020 season if a fall soccer schedule is developed. If so, one of the Notre Dame non-conferences would probably be home against Arkansas. The Razorbacks are slated to travel to Notre Dame in Week 2.
“While we are here today, what I believe from our conversations with Commissioner Sankey, the SEC, the Big 12 and the ACC are on the same page regarding our collective desire to be patient before making any decisions,” said the director. Arkansas Athletics Hunter Yurachek said. “If you look at some of the in-state rivalries that exist, especially between the SEC and the ACC, it makes sense that Clemson should play in South Carolina, Georgia at Georgia Tech, and Florida at Florida State. He just eliminates those games because he wants to play a Conference time alone, at least at this point, doesn’t make much sense. “
Still, nothing is certain, even if the Power 5 conferences move forward with one season.
“All options are on the table,” said Yurachek. “I just want to play soccer this year. And I think (just like) our soccer team, our soccer staff. If it’s eight SEC games and one non-conference game or 10 SEC games, we’ll play it all what we can to play this year. “
An eight game schedule with two non-conference Power 5 games opens the door for dream matchups. Could we see Florida State vs. Auburn? How about Oklahoma vs. Clemson? It is possible, although a tilt to lighten the load and even the playing field can prevent us from seeing such unique engagements.
Power 5 vs. games Power 5 are still programmed
September 5
West Virginia vs. Florida State (Atlanta)
September 6
Ole Miss vs. Baylor (Houston)
September 7th
Virginia vs. Georgia (Atlanta)
September 12
Tennessee in Oklahoma
Texas at LSU
Mississippi State at NC State
North Carolina vs. Auburn (Atlanta)
Arkansas at Notre Dame *
September 19th
Boston College in Kansas
Vanderbilt in the state of Kansas
November 28
Florida in the state of Florida
Georgia Tech in Georgia
Kentucky in Louisville
South Carolina at Clemson
Conference vs. conference breakdown
ACC vs. SEC: 8 *
Big 12 vs. SEC: 4
ACC vs. Big 12: 2
* Notre Dame is expected to be a temporary member of the ACC if a season is played in 2020.
