ThePonyConquerer

July 28th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^

If I could change the world, I'd make everyday Shea Patterson Appreciation Day. 

On Shea Patterson Appreciation Day, everyone has to write exactly one hundred reasons as to why Shea Patterson is the GOAT.

ijohnb

July 28th, 2020 at 1:03 PM ^

The inconsistencies in decision making between different agencies and organizations on all of this is enough to make your head spin.  

Go ahead with the season or cancel it completely?

Hmmmmm.  This is a tough call.  Wait a minute...... (pause and an emerging grin implying a brilliant thought), let's start it early!

 

I just can't keep up.

crg

July 28th, 2020 at 1:41 PM ^

I'm not going to defend or assail any decisions made by the White House for several reasons, not the least of which is that *this is not the place for it*.

However,  I find it curious how much power/authority people assume the federal executive branch actually has in this situation.   We have seen instances where both "red" and "blue" state governors have railed at various orders/directives/etc. from the federal executive... and ultimately implement their own directives.  The fact is that state governors have more authority (in general) regarding what transpires in their state than the federal government does.  Certain exceptions apply of course,  but this is the primary reason why the response has been a patchwork.   If the opposite party were in the White House, there would still be a fractious and patchwork response at the state level.

1VaBlue1

July 28th, 2020 at 2:34 PM ^

While I understand your point - that the Fed Gov't cannot force implement things on states - I can disagree on your view of implementation.  For example, we'll use masks: nobody wants (or expects) the Feds to implement a nation-wide mask mandate.  But leadership entails a strong recommendation for using them, and 'leading by example' - actually using them.  Instead, this administration recommended wearing masks (CDC) while also, very publicly, deriding those deciding to use them!

The Executive Branch is expected to lead, and it is expected to bring people together towards the common good (whatever that political view may be).  But this particular administration has done everything possible to divide the country.  Divide and conquer, right?

blue in dc

July 28th, 2020 at 6:28 PM ^

The federal government has pretty significant relevant power

1. Approving testing

2. Defense Production Act

3. Strategic National Stockpile

4. Approval of drugs and vaccines 

5. Research (both direct and funding of other)

6. international travel restrictions 

7. Expertise 

8. Financial aid to states, companies and individuals - all of which could come with strings

9. Power of the bully pulpit

10. Ability to work (or not work) with other countries and international bodies.
 

 

TrueBlue2003

July 28th, 2020 at 3:58 PM ^

It's smart to allow them to start early if they think they can do it safely. 

The B1G Ten should be pushing to start as early as possible (assuming relative safety thresholds can be met of course) if they plan to have a season at all.  The conference footprint is doing relatively well right now but cases in the north are probably going to spike when the weather forces everyone back indoors and kids go back to school. 

Starting earlier would allow them to space out games more.  More two week breaks means they'd have more time between games to ensure participants didn't pick something up the previous game (positives are not necessarily immediately detectable so two weeks gives you a longer runway)

Bo Harbaugh

July 28th, 2020 at 1:08 PM ^

If teams/conference expect that shutdowns are inevitable, this makes perfect sense. 

NCAA getting in as many games as possible and hoping to extend/spread out a season in flux/jeopardy makes perfect sense. 

You can always count on the NCAA to be consistently inconsistent, except when it comes to one thing.....$ grabbing. 

Mike Damone

July 28th, 2020 at 1:14 PM ^

Can we call "Omaha" and get Nebraska, Northwestern or Illinois scheduled at home for Week Zero?  That would be something great to look forward to...

jerseyblue

July 28th, 2020 at 1:16 PM ^

I still think Spring is the best option. Phase 3 vaccine trials started yesterday. Results will be out in November. If they are successful we would have a couple months to mass produce viles. Everyone will have their shots by Feb. First weekend in March start the conference only schedule. Have no meaningless bowls. Just have the 3 playoff games and be done by late May. All this and everyone can enjoy without the stress.

jerseyblue

July 28th, 2020 at 1:36 PM ^

No, the vaccine info is actual news and the plan is my own thoughts. If your argument is about player safety I'd rather they play in pandemic free conditions that could cause life long respiratory damage or even death and have only 2 months down time before camp starts than the alternative.

Solecismic

July 28th, 2020 at 3:53 PM ^

I think the 2020 season should be skipped. These are not professional athletes. If we can't hold classes in-person, it makes no sense to offer sports, which requires closer contact. Fans can't attend safely.

If the landscape changes by the end of fall, we can talk about winter semester sports. This is different from the professional leagues, which I hope are learning from MLB's difficulties operating without some sort of "bubble".

Macenblu

July 28th, 2020 at 2:56 PM ^

I like your optimism and truly hope that you're right but over the past couple of weeks you've got Big Pharma, Fauci and the CDC saying that mass production of a vaccine could take awhile.  I'm assuming that even if they can produce something by the end of the year a large amount of those doses will be directed towards health care professionals.  The thought that 300 million doses will be available by February seems a bit unrealistic unfortunately

Sambojangles

July 28th, 2020 at 1:25 PM ^

This allows the season to be 14 weeks - allowing conferences to do 10 games and 4 bye weeks, with byes coming weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12. It's been long discussed that 2 on 1 off makes some sense as you would have two weeks between games to quarantine any positive cases, and theoretically limit the missed time to two games in most cases. 

LDNfan

July 28th, 2020 at 5:30 PM ^

Doesn't this assume that game day is of greater risk to the players than any other day...which, IDK..these are young men on a college campus with lots of women and parties...game day might be the safest day of the week for them. 

Also I assume players who test positive will not be able to practice w the team so doubt they would be game ready coming straight out of quarantine. So 2 weeks becomes 3 or more weeks from being ready to play.

WolverineHistorian

July 28th, 2020 at 3:14 PM ^

Lots of changes being made to schedules for a college football season I still don't see happening.  

Isn't this pretty much the rearranging of the deck chairs on the Titanic argument?  The end result is still going to be the same.  

MRunner73

July 28th, 2020 at 4:12 PM ^

I'm all in for an Aug 29th start then have more padding for rescheduling games if needed. The 10 game season still works, just spread them out. Also, end before Thanksgiving. Wait two weeks then have the conference championship game.