Do we survive the week?

[Newhouser]

The mood swings on this are crazy. Never truly optimistic myself but any good news keeps hopes alive. However I personally don't think the season survives beyond this week.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

That's quite the thread title.

 

[Symphony Steve]

I'm 'day-to-day'.

As Keith Olbermann used to say, "But aren't we all?"

 

[OrangeXtreme]

The human race, or the football season?

 

[City of Cuse]

The human race, or the football season?

I'm not a huge fan of humans, going football all the way.

 

[Redrum]

The mood swings on this are crazy. Never truly optimistic myself but any good news keeps hopes alive. However I personally don't think the season survives beyond this week.

You are correct by Friday if if iif we survive we will have a start to the season . I’m hearing the big 10 May pack it in Friday and if they do Ohio state looking to jump to the big 12 to play . Oklahoma has gone home not given up on season but to far from there season opener to have fall camp . Odd they would go home and not be safer in there pods but Idk the dynamics there . I’m also hearing players have no interest in playing in the spring. The eligibility thing will be huge . Players now know they have power and can boycott spring but will there eligibility be a deal breaker .think about if you suffer and injury in the spring you can miss 2 seasons ! Players will not play in the spring it’s crazy how the conference leaders don’t think that through . I say play in the fall or scrap the school period this year . It’s August 9th and we are all still in no mans land .

 

[RF2044]

You are correct by Friday if if iif we survive we will have a start to the season . I’m hearing the big 10 May pack it in Friday and if they do Ohio state looking to jump to the big 12 to play . Oklahoma has gone home not given up on season but to far from there season opener to have fall camp . Odd they would go home and not be safer in there pods but Idk the dynamics there . I’m also hearing players have no interest in playing in the spring. The eligibility thing will be huge . Players now know they have power and can boycott spring but will there eligibility be a deal breaker .think about if you suffer and injury in the spring you can miss 2 seasons ! Players will not play in the spring it’s crazy how the conference leaders don’t think that through . I say play in the fall or scrap the school period this year . It’s August 9th and we are all still in no mans land .

With this situation so fluid, dynamic, and unprecedented it is pointless to make declarative predictions about how things are going to unfold. ESPECIALLY when a spring season seems more imminent than ever.

And stop with the sweeping generalizations. SOME players might not have an interest in spring football, and hundreds might opt out, but thousands would likely still play... and college football will go on without the players choose to exercise their right to boycott with those players in the rear view mirror.

Players only have power to derail things in the short term with the fall season already having commenced, but if conferences define "the plan" well in advance, players can opt out or in, but all of that dust would settle long before a postponed season commences. And if we get closer to that timeframe and things are still unsafe [i.e., no vaccine, rampant infection rates, things still not under control], then the players' power would ramp up again and cause short-term disruption -- as they could opt not to play similar to what many are doing now.

Nobody WANTS spring football to replace this fall, but if the alternative is postpone until spring or not play -- I'm guessing more players, teams, and conferences will get on board to that being the safer option than trying to play a contact sport in the middle of a pandemic.

Its going to be an interesting week.

 

[Nick44]

Cancel the season. It should be a public health decision, not one about money.

Not to mention, the schedule we were given screams 3-4 wins and this program cannot deal with another one of those.

 

[007]

You are correct by Friday if if iif we survive we will have a start to the season . I’m hearing the big 10 May pack it in Friday and if they do Ohio state looking to jump to the big 12 to play . Oklahoma has gone home not given up on season but to far from there season opener to have fall camp . Odd they would go home and not be safer in there pods but Idk the dynamics there . I’m also hearing players have no interest in playing in the spring. The eligibility thing will be huge . Players now know they have power and can boycott spring but will there eligibility be a deal breaker .think about if you suffer and injury in the spring you can miss 2 seasons ! Players will not play in the spring it’s crazy how the conference leaders don’t think that through . I say play in the fall or scrap the school period this year . It’s August 9th and we are all still in no mans land .

Let's see if I have this right. You either know for certain or are "hearing" that:

1. If we "survive" by Friday, we will have a start to the season​

2. The BiG10 may pack it in Friday​

3. OSU is "looking to jump to the big 12 to play" if #2 happens​

4. Players have "no interest"in playing in the spring​

5. Players "will not play in the spring"​

6. Conference leaders didn't think this through​

​

Is this the hill you are standing on?

 

[Stern]

If the Big 10 and Pac 10 haven't canceled their season by next Sunday this time, I think we have an outside shot of college football in the fall. If either cancels their season this upcoming week or want to put it on pause and say maybe we play it in the spring, then I think the rest of the conferences will follow suit, and it's just a matter of WHEN they pull the plug and not IF they pull it.

 

[SWC75]

I repeat my concern about the players bodies trying to play a football season in the spring and another in the fall without the normal off-season to recover from it.

I also repeat my concern that the decisions being made underline the importance of money to these administrators - money they don't want to share with the players, who have to play the games and risk themselves in the middle of a pandemic. It creates circumstances ripe for an historical rebellion that's been a long time in coming.

 

[Redrum]

With this situation so fluid, dynamic, and unprecedented it is pointless to make declarative predictions about how things are going to unfold. ESPECIALLY when a spring season seems more imminent than ever.

And stop with the sweeping generalizations. SOME players might not have an interest in spring football, and hundreds might opt out, but thousands would likely still play... and college football will go on without the players choose to exercise their right to boycott with those players in the rear view mirror.

Players only have power to derail things in the short term with the fall season already having commenced, but if conferences define "the plan" well in advance, players can opt out or in, but all of that dust would settle long before a postponed season commences. And if we get closer to that timeframe and things are still unsafe [i.e., no vaccine, rampant infection rates, things still not under control], then the players' power would ramp up again and cause short-term disruption -- as they could opt not to play similar to what many are doing now.

Nobody WANTS spring football to replace this fall, but if the alternative is postpone until spring or not play -- I'm guessing more players, teams, and conferences will get on board to that being the safer option than trying to play a contact sport in the middle of a pandemic.

Its going to be an interesting week.

The athletes now have the power plain
And simple and I know hundreds of current players and they all say no way to spring football nobody is going to risk injury for 2 years , watered down due to guys going to draft and then turn around for fall camp ? Not happening.

 

[Redrum]

Let's see if I have this right. You either know for certain or are "hearing" that:

1. If we "survive" by Friday, we will have a start to the season​

2. The BiG10 may pack it in Friday​

3. OSU is "looking to jump to the big 12 to play" if #2 happens​

4. Players have "no interest"in playing in the spring​

5. Players "will not play in the spring"​

6. Conference leaders didn't think this through​

​

Is this the hill you are standing on?

I’m friends with players and families all over the country I get first hand info
I knew about Oklahoma hours before it came out . I just hope I get some good news to share with everyone I’m tired of the doom and gloom .

 

[RF2044]

The athletes now have the power plain
And simple and I know hundreds of current players and they all say no way to spring football nobody is going to risk injury for 2 years , watered down due to guys going to draft and then turn around for fall camp ? Not happening.

Nonsense. The NBA season modified, and the draft modified too -- pushing back several months. It would be the same thing for college and the NFL draft. I seriously doubt we would have a spring season, then turn around and play again with camp opening in August. But some modified version? Now you're cooking with gas.

And let's dispense with applying the use case of surefire NFL prospects to every college player. Very few college players are legitimate NFL prospects, 99% of them will never come close to playing a down in the NFL, and so those who choose to protect their draft prospects by opting out, or want to avoid taking health risks, or opt out for family considerations, I wish them all well. But college football is bigger than any small group of stars. Even if a player like Trevor Lawrence opts out, the college game will survive.

And you keep insisting that there's not going to be spring football, and yet some conferences are already leaning that way, so...

 

[Redrum]

nonsense. Who says it's going to unfold that way? The NBA season modified, and the draft modified too. It would be the same thing for college in the NFL. I seriously doubt we would have a spring season, then turn around and play again with camp opening in August. But some modified version? Now you're cooking with gas.

and you keep insisting that there's not going to be spring football, and yet some conferences are already leaning that way, so...

The conferences are desperate for money anyway than can get it . Employers come up with ideas and assume that the employees will
Like the plan or share there enthusiasm.
They would have to come up with a plan that
The players agree with . This isn’t the NFL that the scrubs will come in . Protesting players will be the new normal. Can the players change there mind ? Sure but right now I’m giving you direct verbal statements most are leaning towards not playing at all till next fall .
But for the first time in my life of you told me the sky way falling I’d actually look up

 

[upperdeck]

anyone know the numbers on who played in the XFL who didnt have a full yr off from the fall games?

 

[RandomGuy]

The conferences are desperate for money anyway than can get it . Employers come up with ideas and assume that the employees will
Like the plan or share there enthusiasm.
They would have to come up with a plan that
The players agree with . This isn’t the NFL that the scrubs will come in . Protesting players will be the new normal. Can the players change there mind ? Sure but right now I’m giving you direct verbal statements most are leaning towards not playing at all till next fall .
But for the first time in my life of you told me the sky way falling I’d actually look up

I don't disagree with most of your statements. I do think there may be some creative solutions, though.

Many hundreds will declare for the NFL. A blanket waiver could keep many for next fall. Many players are going to have an issue with 2 seasons in 1 year.

If we go to spring, I would suggest a bracket system. 4 or 5 games to a conference championship. Eligibility is not effected. Schools make $$. Players hit about the same amount as normal spring. Protect the bowl system, by incorporating it into this structure. Its not a "real" season, but I'd certainly watch. I've always wanted a true playoff system.

NFL having a late supplemental draft, might get more kids to stay, and prove it.

 

[hoopsupstate]

If there is no college football this fall, I wonder how players would feel if they had to pay their own tuition and room and board for this school year? Let them get the feel of being a regular college student. How many players do you think would stick around?

 

[OttoinGrotto]

If there is no college football this fall, I wonder how players would feel if they had to pay their own tuition and room and board for this school year? Let them get the feel of being a regular college student. How many players do you think would stick around?

Oh, brother.

 

[RF2044]

The conferences are desperate for money anyway than can get it . Employers come up with ideas and assume that the employees will
Like the plan or share there enthusiasm.
They would have to come up with a plan that
The players agree with . This isn’t the NFL that the scrubs will come in . Protesting players will be the new normal. Can the players change there mind ? Sure but right now I’m giving you direct verbal statements most are leaning towards not playing at all till next fall .
But for the first time in my life of you told me the sky way falling I’d actually look up

Man, I completely disagree with the highlighted part. Players are protesting right now because there is an unprecedented social movement happening right now, because there is a global health emergency that places them at risk, and because they have LEVERAGE in the short-term due to the season being about to start.

The can't protest in perpetuity, because:

[A.] This isn't PCU
[B.] They won't have the same leverage long-term that they do short-term
[C.] If they choose to opt out, there will be other players who choose a different path to seize the opportunities afforded by college football
[D.] Eventually, the pandemic will go back to normal. This too shall pass, and protesting for the sake of protesting won't be nearly as impactful as it is today, right now

You're right -- this isn't the NFL strike season, where wholesale replacements can be brought in. That is why the players have leverage right now. But when a long term strategy is enacted, where the players can't disrupt it at point in time, everyone will have a choice. And those who want to protect their draft interests will be free to do so. Those who feel like there is still a health risk will similarly be free to opt out. And those who want to try to buck the system for political reasons will be free to continue to do so, if they wish. But LONG-TERM, teams will respond by bringing in players who DO want to play, and who ARE interested in the opportunity that playing college ball provides.

Not everyone is a star. And there are thousands if not tens of thousands across D1, FCS, D2, and D3 who aren't going to be driven or held hostage by the whims of a few who are intent on bringing the system down. And for every player who doesn't want to play in the spring because it is different than when football is usually played, there will probably be 10 other players who choose to do so -- either to capitalize on the opportunity of a scholarship or on the opportunity to showcase their wares for the NFL while others sit out.

College football is an institution that is going to transcend this crisis. It would suck [big picture] to have a season where an impressive talent like Trevor Lawrence elects not to play [hell -- I would hate to play the upcoming season, whenever it occurs, without Andre Cisco if he chooses not to play], but the game will survive. And it NEEDS to, because as imperfect as the system might be, there are tangible benefits for the vast majority of participants. Not all, but the vast majority.

Remember that NCAA commercial where they said that they had 150,000 athletes who will be going professional in something other than the sport they play?

 

[RF2044]

I don't disagree with most of your statements. I do think there may be some creative solutions, though.

Many hundreds will declare for the NFL. A blanket waiver could keep many for next fall. Many players are going to have an issue with 2 seasons in 1 year.

If we go to spring, I would suggest a bracket system. 4 or 5 games to a conference championship. Eligibility is not effected. Schools make $$. Players hit about the same amount as normal spring. Protect the bowl system, by incorporating it into this structure. Its not a "real" season, but I'd certainly watch. I've always wanted a true playoff system.

NFL having a late supplemental draft, might get more kids to stay, and prove it.

Agreed. Like other sports, there will have to be creative approaches that deviate from the "norm" of a regular season, timings associated with off-seasons and professional drafts, etc. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

And at the end of the day, if we get to whenever a "spring" alternative timeframe rolls around and things have not improved, then that will get cancelled, too. As well it should, under those circumstances.

I don't think anything really goes back to normal until there is some form of viable vaccine / inoculation.

 

[griddy]

The NCAA and the college football power structure seems to looking through at this only two ways: 1. Somehow, someway have a football season, and somehow preserve the revenue that it generates. 2. Take all the obvious and prudent steps possible to protect players, coaches, staff and fans, to appease college presidents and faculty and avoid a public relations disaster, if for nothing else.

What‘s missing is recognition of the risks players are taking, both to their health and their football careers, and any concessions that would compensate players for taking such risks.

One example of a logical concession, IMO, would be to give all players full health insurance now and for six years after their eligibility ends. Most fans do no realize that college players must pay for their own health insurance, even when they are playing.

Another would be to grant any players who participate in this truncated season an extra season of eligibility. Imagine if you were a senior who plays five games this season, then gets Covid and is forced to miss the rest of the season. Your career is done, even if you have a redshirt season. Give players a safety net.


The college football power structure today seems to me reminiscent of Major League Baseball through the early 1960s, when owners and the league fought tooth and nail against any concessions to the players. The result, of course, was Curt Flood, and the last 60 years in which players salaries have soared, but so have ticket prices. Players jump from team to team and the game, at least to me, has lost something for it. Could that have been avoided if the baseball had been willing to meet players halfway when the owners had complete control?

The NCAA can’t even agree to minor concessions, such as allowing players to be compensated for their likeness on video games. Meanwhile, coaches salaries continue to break records, with no end in sight. No wonder players are frustrated and demanding changes.

Playing college football requires enormous sacrifice, hard work and skill. These players generate hundreds of millions of dollars for universities around the country. They want their voices heard. And, frankly, I think it is about time they were heard.

 

[corpjet]

Nonsense. The NBA season modified, and the draft modified too -- pushing back several months. It would be the same thing for college and the NFL draft. I seriously doubt we would have a spring season, then turn around and play again with camp opening in August. But some modified version? Now you're cooking with gas.

Not so sure the NFL will move much of anything, they have pretty much stayed the course during this ordeal...I believe they need the fresh crop of players annually and will stick what they've done for years causing many players to skip spring...

 

[RandomGuy]

Man, I completely disagree with the highlighted part. Players are protesting right now because there is an unprecedented social movement happening right now, because there is a global health emergency that places them at risk, and because they have LEVERAGE in the short-term due to the season being about to start.

The can't protest in perpetuity, because:

[A.] This isn't PCU
[B.] They won't have the same leverage long-term that they do short-term
[C.] If they choose to opt out, there will be other players who choose a different path to seize the opportunities afforded by college football
[D.] Eventually, the pandemic will go back to normal. This too shall pass, and protesting for the sake of protesting won't be nearly as impactful as it is today, right now

You're right -- this isn't the NFL strike season, where wholesale replacements can be brought in. That is why the players have leverage right now. But when a long term strategy is enacted, where the players can't disrupt it at point in time, everyone will have a choice. And those who want to protect their draft interests will be free to do so. Those who feel like there is still a health risk will similarly be free to opt out. And those who want to try to buck the system for political reasons will be free to continue to do so, if they wish. But LONG-TERM, teams will respond by bringing in players who DO want to play, and who ARE interested in the opportunity that playing college ball provides.

Not everyone is a star. And there are thousands if not tens of thousands across D1, FCS, D2, and D3 who aren't going to be driven or held hostage by the whims of a few who are intent on bringing the system down. And for every player who doesn't want to play in the spring because it is different than when football is usually played, there will probably be 10 other players who choose to do so -- either to capitalize on the opportunity of a scholarship or on the opportunity to showcase their wares for the NFL while others sit out.

College football is an institution that is going to transcend this crisis. It would suck [big picture] to have a season where an impressive talent like Trevor Lawrence elects not to play [hell -- I would hate to play the upcoming season, whenever it occurs, without Andre Cisco if he chooses not to play], but the game will survive. And it NEEDS to, because as imperfect as the system might be, there are tangible benefits for the vast majority of participants. Not all, but the vast majority.

Remember that NCAA commercial where they said that they had 150,000 athletes who will be going professional in something other than the sport they play?

I'll go with Redrum on this one. Pac12 made $$ demands, and I believe some in the AAC made 20% $$ demands. The NCAA response has led many to thinking it has nothing to do with them, and only the NCAA $$.

I have to think some players are looking at it like another protest against systematic oppression. Feel as you will on that. Either way? Consider the sleeping bear poked, and things are going to get messy.

 

[dan7800]

If I can survive several years of Grob, I can survive this week.