Southern California AD responds to speculation regarding potential cancelation of season opener against Alabama
We may be months out from the start of the college football season but that isn’t going to prevent schools from exploring all options when it comes to the upcoming season.
While things appear to be trending in the right direction for SEC country, the same can’t be said at the moment, for the Pac-12. This week, there’s even been talk of stay-at-home orders being extended another three months in Los Angeles.
That could affect Alabama’s upcoming season as the Crimson Tide are set to play USC in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to open the 2020 season.
During a recent appearance on ESPN morning show “Get Up,” Paul Finebaum broke the news that Alabama is discussing the possibility of switching opponents for the upcoming season opener if USC isn’t able to make the trip to Arlington.
“There’s already scrambling going on,” Finebaum said on Tuesday. “Alabama plays Southern Cal in the first game of the season at Jerry’s World, there’s already talk going on between Alabama and TCU about meeting instead of the other two because TCU plays at Berkeley and the California schools, they do not believe, will be available for that date.”
That comment was followed by Colin Cowherd saying the Alabama-USC isn’t happening, according to his sources.
Following those reports, Southern California AD Mike Bohn issued the following comment on Tuesday evening:
“I enjoy regular conversations with Greg Byrne. We have every intention of playing our game against Alabama. I’d like to remind all our fans that this is an uncertain time and there will be much disinformation. We continue to explore every model for the 2020 football season.
“We will certainly communicate relevant updates when we have them.”
What’s interesting there is the fact that Bohn mentions the fact USC is planning to play the Alabama game but, at the same time, notes the uncertainty of the situation and that all options remain on the table. Based on that response, Alabama would be wise to do the same, which includes lining up TCU in the event that USC fails to make the trip to Arlington.