Could the SEC be the only conference that plays college football in 2020? Paul Finebaum doesn’t think that would happen
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Would the Southeastern Conference really go it alone this fall and be the only conference that plays college football?
Paul Finebaum doesn’t think so.
We all know the importance of college football in the South but when it comes to playing in the fall, the SEC Network host believes the league would like to see at least one other conference take the field in 2020.
During a recent appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Finebaum was asked if the SEC would go it alone if need be in the fall.
“I don’t think they will. And I know what the reputation is, I live down here, but I think the SEC would certainly, let me use a NASCAR phrase here, like to have a drafting partner,” Finebaum said on the show. “They don’t want to be alone. And I think you could see several conferences do it and some not but I don’t think you’ll only see the SEC play college football this year.”
While Finebaum didn’t mention any other league by name here, the ACC seems like a logical partner for the SEC considering the two share much of the same geographic footprint. The Big Ten and the Big 12 also appear open to playing the upcoming college football season, if possible.
When it comes to playing the upcoming season, two key points for Finebaum centers around the ability for campuses to open up to students fans and the ability to host fans in the stands this fall.
“I think to start, I do not believe that college football will be played this fall unless there are fans in the stands and most important Dan, students on campus,” Finebaum shared. “I know we’re not gonna try to make college football sacrosanct here, we all know what it is, but I think the people that run these universities, the college presidents, are not going to take that type of hit. They’ll do almost anything for money, that’s been proven time and time again, but I think the look would be so bad.
“I’ve spoken to countless commissioners and athletic directors and coaches and while there may be a desire and a need to play to stay afloat, I don’t believe the overwhelming majority of colleges will play unless I can get students back. And I’m not talking about online. And that is why, now that the draft is passed and ultimately the Michael Jordan documentary will move on as well. I think the biggest sports question, moving into the next four to six weeks is going to be college football, because it is a mystery. It’s not like the NFL where you can quarantine and get the players to sign waivers, it’s real and I’ve had parents and players call me on the air and say, ‘I’m not letting my son play unless there are students on campus.’ It is a really intriguing question.”
That’s another interesting point made by Finebaum, with the clock ticking down closer to a decision date, the world will be eagerly awaiting a decision from college football this summer when it comes to playing the 2020 season.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
