If Monday was a punch to SEC's gut, Tuesday was the roundhouse kick to the face ... so what now?
The hits just keep coming, and there’s not an end in sight.
Just throw that phrase on anything that happened in 2020 and I’m sure it’ll apply. That vacation you were gonna take? Sure. That wedding you were supposed to be at? Of course. That full weekend of SEC football and The Masters? Hey, that’s much too good for 2020.
We went from having 7 SEC games to 4 all in one day. Monday’s onslaught of negative COVID-related updates was followed by 2 more postponements. Auburn-Mississippi State, Texas A&M-Tennessee and Alabama-LSU were all pushed off because of COVID cases.
So for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, there will be just 4 games involving SEC teams. That is, assuming that those games aren’t postponed by the end of me typing this sentence.
**Checks Twitter … OK, we’re good!**
Sure, it was inevitable in 2020. It’s still a bummer to have canceled football games. I realize I’m preaching to the choir on that one. Well, unless you’re an LSU fan who probably treated Saturday’s postponement like the kid who’s getting bullied in school but finds out that there’s a snow day.
Perhaps we didn’t realize how inevitable it would be following this stretch of bye weeks and Halloween. What’s the phrase? Kids are gonna be kids? Oh well. I’m not here to point the finger at the problem. Instead, let’s point the finger at a possible solution.
For 2 of those postponed games, the solution is easy. Auburn-MSU and Texas A&M-Tennessee will both move to Dec. 12, which was the SEC’s built-in makeup date (shots fired at the Big Ten). The issue is that like the Big Ten, LSU is now in a position where it doesn’t have that makeup date available because that’s when it was supposed to make up the Florida game.
So does that mean Alabama-LSU is now canceled? Or is LSU-Florida canceled?
Read the end of the statement that the SEC released on Tuesday:
“Because LSU has a game tentatively scheduled for December 12, the opportunity to reschedule the Alabama at LSU game will need to be evaluated.”
As weird as it sounds, playing LSU could actually be meaningless for both Florida and Alabama. If both of those teams have their respective divisions wrapped up, that would be something the SEC would have to, as it said, “evaluate.” If one of those teams has the division clinched but the other one doesn’t, one would think that means LSU gets to play that team on Dec. 12.
Simple enough, right? Not exactly.
While LSU-Florida was technically on the Dec. 12 date first, it creates a scenario in which playing that game doesn’t make sense from the SEC’s standpoint if the divisions are both clinched. Creating a potential land mine for a Playoff team doesn’t create upside for the league. Canceling a game because it simply would have no bearing on the division race would be atypical, but in most ways, it would make sense.
Florida losing 1 more game and Georgia winning out would mean that the Gators would need to play on Dec. 12. Alabama still would have to lose twice in order for that game to carry division significance because the Crimson Tide have the head-to-head tiebreaker with Texas A&M.
Moving parts. I know. And they aren’t done moving. As of right now, these are the games scheduled for Dec. 12:
- LSU at Florida
- Vandy vs. Mizzou
- Texas A&M vs. Tennessee
- Auburn vs. MSU
For those games which wouldn’t impact the SEC winner, the league could actually take a page out of the Big Ten’s playbook. That is, schedule them all for that Saturday, Dec. 19.
From the SEC: “Because LSU has a game tentatively scheduled for December 12, the opportunity to reschedule the Alabama at LSU game will need to be evaluated. The rescheduling of games on the remaining SEC football schedule may include December 19 as a playing date.”
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) November 10, 2020
Yes, that’s the same day as the SEC Championship. Keep in mind that the SEC Championship was moved to an 8 p.m. ET kickoff this year. With potential bowl implications and the whole “teams wanting to make up for lost revenue with a home game” thing, it makes sense to still play these games, which would still happen before the bowl schedule is announced on Dec. 20.
Would that be weird? Absolutely. Then again, it’s 2020. What isn’t weird anymore?
There are more creative solutions to this problem should it get any worse, but it involves major schedule shuffling.
This is an interesting idea that would involve — wait for it — moving the Iron Bowl. But no, it wouldn’t be moved to this weekend, which has reportedly already been ruled out (Auburn also shut down practices because of an outbreak):
How to save the SEC:
– Move Iron Bowl to 12/12 so LSU/Alabama meet 11/28
– A&M (scheduled 11/28 with LSU) plays Tennessee 11/28 to make up for this wknd
– Vandy plays Georgia instead of Tennessee 11/28
– UGA/South Carolina 12/12
– Vandy picks TN or Miz 12/12, other no contest— Olivia Granaiola (@oliviagranaiola) November 10, 2020
Does your brain hurt? So does mine.
The thing to keep in mind is that while the SEC will likely put the emphasis on getting key division games played, teams want that home game revenue, even with a limited crowd.
If LSU doesn’t get to host Alabama and that game is canceled by the SEC with Alabama having already clinched the division, the Tigers have just 3 home games in 2020 (remember that the Mizzou game got moved to a road game because of a tropical storm). In a normal year in which LSU gets 7 home games, it reportedly nets $36 million from ticket sales. Now, with reduced capacity crowds, it gets 3 games with roughly $1 million in ticket revenue.
Yikes. Teams will get creative in the name of playing more football.
The question that looms is whether the Playoff has any sort of flexibility if teams like Clemson and Ohio State start to have games canceled that cannot be made up before Dec. 20. That’s what would really put the Playoff in a tough spot, which it’s already in with just 10 days post-announcement for each semifinal matchup (it’s usually a minimum of 3 weeks).
Things have already gotten weird. They’re about to get weirder.
The SEC is now in a position where it’ll keep its fingers crossed that this is the last weekend with multiple cancelations. No matter what, just don’t get too married to the remaining 2020 SEC slate.
If this week was any indication, it’s more of an idea than a plan set etched in stone.
I guess we’re going to have a bunch of asterisks after all.
Seriously
Coach Drink said yesterday that Mizzou has one new Covid case and contact tracing issues and hinted it may affect this Saturday’s game with the dawgs.
In short..the headline could just be “THIS SUCKS”.
I was glad they decided to play this season but thought from the beginning it would be an asterisk season. So much depends on opt-outs and who is out from game to game due to COVID. When key players miss games like Lawrence at Clemson it puts the legitimacy of the season in question. It has turned into who can dodge COVID the best.
Well, I mean SCAR has dodged COVID like a champ so far and look where that’s gotten them.
Are the Cocks reporting everything ?
It’s just a crazy year. We are very lucky to have football at all. Conferences were talking about not playing at all when the virus numbers were about a third of what they are now. We are setting new virus records daily now, both in this country and around the world. The simply reality is that no one is happy about this but we all have to deal with it. Whatever games that get played need to be looked at as a bonus. We could have games cancelled every week going forward. Adapt and overcome.
That’s what I say, too. Also, here’s an idea for you–let Georgia substitute for Florida on December 12 if Florida has clinched the East. If Florida hasn’t clinched, let Missouri play Georgia.
You can easily point a finger to why was the SEC idle for 3 weeks while college football games were being played? That was the big bugaboo Sankey made putting the conference in this situation.
I commented many times when the schedule was announced that it didn’t allow for enough flexibility. And here we are.
Yup. Sankey wasted precious time and put the conference in this situation all on his own. Even the Big12 started a few weeks before the SEC. There’s definitely a finger to point here, but Saturday err, Sankey Down South refuses to recognize the obvious.
Interesting lead up to the SEC champ game and the 2020* cfb palyoffs.
Some football better than no football.
Time to sweep the leg!
Since LSU has obviously begged off to avoid getting fed to Bama in Tiger stadium on the CBS game, let them play FL in the swamp in an 11 am game on the 12th. Fly them back to Baton Rouge and let them play Bama at 8 pm, also on the 12th. I mean, they would get Bama n Tiger Stadium at night, right??
Maybe add a triathlon between games.
There is something else that must be considered. The virus affect is worsening. Nasvhille-Davidson has had more than 600 new cases two of the last three days, and available beds are getting close to zero. My county, Williamson, has had a large uptick as well, as have all the other counties bordering Nashville.
I am sure the numbers probably look the same in the college towns, where things like Halloween parties and peaceful protests exist. Then, there is the issue of Thanksgiving and exams that can maybe affect the scheduling.
The SEC can re-arrange the schedule all they want, but they cannot guarantee that any games will be able to be played in late November and December.
In hindsight, it might have been wise to wait until Spring. It looks promising that by March, Pfizer’s vaccine will make life close to normal again, assuming people actually take it.
The 2021 college athletics season could have been like the College Olympics where all the sports could be played at the same time, and maybe a large number of spectaculars could be scheduled, where fans could start Saturday morning with football, then have baseball in the afternoon, and then basketball in the evening. They could even sponsor a very large dinner on-campus in tents or a school building. The schools could make up for a lot of lost revenue.
I still disagree with regards to the spring idea. Worst case scenario, the schools are forced to push things back a couple of weeks, which they should’ve allowed for in the first place. The “third wave” is most certainly here, though.
That is dumb. If we had CFB in the spring, we would have to wait until fall of 2022 for more CFB. A fall season keeps the tradition going and brought a sense of security for the players, coaches, and fans
Happy Veterans Day!
To all who served, thank you for you service.
God Bless America.
Guaranteed playoffs
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Notre Dame
I hate that overrated ND gets in only because they beat Clemson in double OT with a backup QB at home. I know I’ve said that A&M is overrated, but they ares till much better than ND. A 9-2 UF team wouldn’t get in unfortunately, because I believe that despite the loss, the Gators are still better than A&M and in a rematch, they would win. So at this moment this is my playoff prediction, however I would prefer:
1. Ohio State
2. Florida
3. Clemson
4. Alabama/Oklahoma State/Oregon
oops *are still* not *ares till*
Clemson’s “backup quarterback” is better than most teams starting quarterback.
That big kid at Clemson can play anywhere.
Notre Dame is still not better than Clemson. Lawrence is going to kill them in the ACC title game. 40-10 Clemson.
I’m thinking it will be worse.
Most likely
I don’t think there’s any way both Clemson and ND are already guaranteed if they still have to play each other one more time. The loser of that game will be out unless they get help like Oklahoma State faceplanting. If Florida gets rolled by Bama then there’s no way they get in, or should get in.
If ND comes into that game undefeated, and having already beaten Clemson, they will easily get in UNLESS Florida beats Alabama. Then Florida gets in and Alabama likely gets the 4 seed.
I disagree ND easily gets in with a loss, especially if the Big12 Champ only has one loss. ND needs Okla St. to falter to have any chance of getting in if they lose the ACC Champ. If ND beats Clemson then they’re in, but then Clemson is clearly not in so I don’t see how they are both guaranteed a spot here.
I’m saying if Clemson wins. If Clemson loses(not happening) ND gets the 1-2 spot depending on Alabama. Lets say for the sake of the argument that ND somehow wins, and Alabama wins, the playoffs would be:
1. Alabama
2. Notre Dame
3. Ohio State
4. Oklahoma State/Oregon/Texas A&M
However, if Florida wins:
1. Notre Dame
2. Ohio State’
3. Florida
4. Alabama
Notre Dame would then proceed to get killed by Alabama and we would probably have a Alabama-Florida rematch in the NC
In this COVID year of 2020 I believe a team with one(1) loss will get in the Playoffs. the Notre Dame vs. Clemson game in the ACC championship in intriguing…as Clemson’s defense is young and not the dominant force(filled with 4-5 year players as previously). They are vulnerable & have been in 2020…even when Trevor played. But playing in the ACC it has been “masked” so to speak.
I don’t care anymore. After losing to Fla and Bama all incentive is gone. Just cancel everything. 2020 is the bummer year. 2021 will be worse with Commies in office.
I see you’re pro-fascist. And now you live in a blue state. Life sure had a way of throwing you a crazy knuckle ball.
Trump is not a facist gtfoh
What is wrong with y’all? Watch too much Fox News and CNN? Trump isn’t a fascist and Biden isn’t a communist. Both of them are just senile old men who lie to your faces just to get your vote, which they then use to just sit in office doing nothing for 4 years. Wake up.
Biden isn’t a communist but Bernie is lol
Newsflash to all. Marxists don’t play or allow football.. 2021 and the entire history of Marxism has taught us this..
Proof that Bammers and Dawggies are some of the dumbest sheep on earth
Worship your politicians, jesus, and head football coach. clowns
The SEC should test every player at LSU for coronavirus. This smells of corn dog shenanigans.
You can’t be serious?
Of course not. Leave me alone and let me troll the corn dogs in peace.
Enjoy. We deserve it.
And your response was the best I’ve seen from anyone here in a long time. Props to you sir. I’m still laughing.
Ah carry on sir.
This is our world now. For your mental health, keep expectations reasonable but changeable. Enjoy whatever games are played, whenever they’re played. And if at the end of the day you are healthy, call it a win and do it again tomorrow.
At winsome…..you don’t know where I live. Do me small favor and just crawl back into your basement and heil hitler yourself.
Look for an “outbreak” at Jawja soon! Seems to be happening at programs with nothing left to play for more and more! After a pounding by Auburn, I truly believe LSU decided to just waive the white flag before getting Bama. Some folks can get lucky every once in a blue moon, but, no one has been as consistent as CNS and the Crimson Tide.
Honestly you and the bama fan above are delusional is you think any universities are postponing games because of their records and not covid.
Not really. Just having a little fun with the Jawja and LSU fans. Didn’t realize Auburn folk were so cozy with them! Kinda comical that a Auburn fan would call someone else delusional, don’t you think?
We recognize the signs. :-)
I am not saying that LSU would be anything less than serious about positive COVID cases or that they would not act to protect their players. I AM saying that they would take advantage of the already existing issue to avoid an embarrassing situation. I don’t think – I know.
i hope games can be played for the players sake. To me It doesn’t matter cause season over.
UGA Mizzou postponed now.
To get all the games in (and not impact gate revenue or TV revenue), here is a possible solution:
– Alabama plays LSU on 11/28 (instead of AU)
– Alabama plays AU on 12/12 (moved from of 11/28)
– AU plays MSU on 11/28 (instead of Alabama)
– AU plays MSU on 12/12 (moved from 11/28)
– LSU plays aTm on 12/19 (moved from 11/28)
– MSU plays Ole Miss on 12/12 (moved from 11/28)
– UGA plays Mizz on 12/19
This gives us the Iron Bowl and the Egg Bowl on 12/12 and also provides for additional interesting games on 12/19.
This assumes no other COVID breakout or extended impacts to current breakouts. If this happens there is just no way to get all the games in and games will have to be canceled.
DOH, third line should read:
– AU plays Alabama on 12/12 (moved from 11/28)
LOL … fourth line even
When do you have Florida playing LSU?
The way things have been going the assuming no other virus effects on this season sadly seems like a pipe dream. We are halfway through the season and already running out of weekends. At the current rate of postponements I will be surprised if any SEC teams get 10 games in this season. Don’t get me wrong I hope I am mistaken about this.
Well, my crystal ball was broken, so I was going with what I knew currently. LOL
Why did they move the MSU-Ole Miss game from Thanksgiving night? I’ve enjoyed watching that game the last couple of years on Thanksgiving
Probably because of our COVID issues. Setting up midweek games is easier and more feasible when team can put a bye week on the Saturday before a Thursday game if needed.
Just setting everything up for Saturday games probably makes it easier to be more flexible in shuffling schedules as needed for COVID concerns.
This was supposed to go away after the election I was told.
Well technically the election isn’t officially over until December 14th when the electoral college votes
Right, so we should be all good to go for the sec championship at least.
I’m a Dawg fan so it really won’t matter but here’s a stupid question that I throw out because I haven’t seen it. BECAUSE it’s 2020, why can’t the SEC and the other major conferences petition the CFP committee to postpone their announcement one week until Dec. 27, and have the SEC championship game on Dec. 26. Yes, I’m aware that is Christmas weekend, but they’re going to play bowl games throughout the holidays (including Jan. 1) so what’s the big deal? Would it compress the playoff schedule? Yes. Definitely. But again, this is 2020 and desperate times call for desperate measures.
Probably has to do with logistics and announcing participants in the week leading up to the semi-final games.
A line has to be drawn somewhere and there are probably other TV contract issues regarding NCAA football bleeding into NFL wildcard/playoff time. For me that would not matter as I care a lot more for college ball over NFL.
I am all for the Iron Bowl being moved back to Dec 12, so that Alabama can play LSU on the week before that.
The one major screw job Florida is staring at right now, after so many years of waiting to get back to where it belongs in The SEC championship game is, that it has a makeup game the week prior while Alabama currently would be sitting on two weeks to prepare. Bad enough you have to face Alabama, but with them getting twice as much prep time as you? Not a good setup.
Easy fix:
Move Alabama vs Kentucky to 12/12
Move LSU vs Arkansas to 12/19
Play Alabama vs LSU 11/14
The rest should have enough open periods with playing on the day of the SECCG.
There problem solved!
Correction: Play Alabama vs LSU 11/21
Postpone the SECCG. The rest of America is dealing with stuff…sports ain’t immune.