A Saturday that began with the cancellation of the Mid-American Football Conference this fall turned into speculation that Power 5 conferences are not that far behind.
The MAC became the first FBS conference to cancel its season amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The news brought an avalanche of anonymous sources and reports suggest that the rest of the major college football may also point to spring.
“I think it’s when, not when (the 2020 season is canceled),” an unnamed Power 5 AD told CBS Sportsline on Saturday. (The MAC announcement) adds more momentum to the finish. I think everyone’s medical group is telling them the same thing now. We all have the same conversations. ”
A second athletic director Power 5 also told CBS that it is ‘inevitable’ that the season will not be played this fall.
Count Trevor Lawrence as one of those who want to play. The Clemson quarterback made that clear on social media on Saturday amid all the speculation thrown around.
The speculation seems to be directed at the Big Ten.
First, the Big Ten announced Saturday that it will remain in the initial phase based on advice from its COVID-19 advisory groups. This means that teams will remain in the “acclimatization period” of practices, allowed to use helmets as their only piece of protective equipment until further notice.
Later Saturday, Pete Thamel of Yahoo, citing a source, reported “All options are on the table” for the Big Ten, which held a presidential meeting on Saturday. “There is some presidential momentum for canceling the autumn football season. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. ”
Some credit for this was a report by the Detroit Free Press, which quoted sources again, and Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren preferred a season for football.
However, that may not be the answer either.
AL.com’s John Talty spoke to multiple ADs who felt a move toward spring would ultimately result in no college football this season. At that point, a spring season just doesn’t line up with an NFL calendar.
While no decision was announced on Saturday, one thing has remained consistent in the journey of college football through the pandemic: In the words of college presidents and ADs across the country, it remains fluid.
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.
