The players are 18-23 year olds who have prepared years for this opportunity. I would expect nothing less from them. I would expect the coaches to support their players, ditto for the families.
But it's the school presidents that make this call. They obviously have to juggle much more than just football. For example, Nebraska sent a survey out to faculty asking them if they support leaving the Big 10 to play football this fall....90% voted to stay with the Big 10. I think people believe this is just about football and sports. I think it's more about allocation of resources.
Those administrators chose caution and want to prioritize resources towards higher education. Personally, if there is one thing that has worked on a worldwide level with regards to Covid, its caution. I think the ACC, SEC and Big XII are flying blind here. Sure, they have their protocols. But it's a gigantic unknown. Saban and other coaches saying " they are safer playing than running around at home" is a complete straw man. Why would they go hpme? OSU is keeping practices up and people are staying around. Or, is going to class a problem? Let's just get rid of that pesky educational component of student athlete.
My personal belief is that in the end, the Big 10 and Pac 12 will come out looking better than the other conferences. Games will be played, but you will have countless people poking and asking "at what cost?". It's a damn if you do, damn if you don't, but being late is worse than being early.
