2020 ND Football Schedule Options

[tussin]

I do agree with this, btw. But I am curious how this changes when other students return.

I think anyone who argues that athletes are more protected from COVID by cancelling the season either 1) hasn't considered what college-aged individuals do with their free time or 2) is insincere. Those are really the only two possibilities.

I'd be willing to bet that half of ND's team gets COVID if the season is cancelled. They may not get sick, or ever get tested, but they will almost certainly get it.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Fingers crossed this happens. College football won't even notice Pac 12 is out this year, and the only reason to watch Big 10 is to see OSU slaughter Michigan by 30.

I'm still convinced the SEC won't cancel football unless an asteroid hits Tuscaloosa.

Well... a tornado in T Town didn't shut down the 2011 season... much to the chagrin of my Irish friends out here.

I think the players are much safer in their current environment and having athletes in a bubble of sorts does work IF the protocols are followed. To the extent that programs can pull that off is open for debate. I want CFB as much as the next person but I want it for the right reasons. Player safety has to be paramount. Everything else... including revenue is secondary. On the flip side I can say that with relative ease. I don't have to balance the books at these institutions. It's just not an easy answer and one I am glad I don't have to make.

 

[BeauBenken]

I think anyone who argues that athletes are more protected from COVID by cancelling the season either 1) hasn't considered what college-aged individuals do with their free time or 2) is insincere. Those are really the only two possibilities.

I'd be willing to bet that half of ND's team gets COVID if the season is cancelled. They may not get sick, or ever get tested, but they will almost certainly get it.

But I also wonder if you can trust other mid-major or smaller (for us, the ACC) schools to properly test.

Some student-athletes have called out their schools who have reported testing or having no positive cases, when in actuality, no one (or only some of them) had been tested.

 

[Sea Turtle]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DP was told an hour ago that the Big 10 and Pac 12 will cancel their football seasons tomorrow... The ACC and the Big 12 are on the fence.. And the SEC is trying to get teams to join them for a season. <br><br>Watch live: <a href="https://t.co/sMaeXQkLfl">https://t.co/sMaeXQkLfl</a> <a href="https://t.co/oSUNGMTEqw">pic.twitter.com/oSUNGMTEqw</a></p>— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/dpshow/status/1292810469779136512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wimps

 

[calvegas04]

Trump tweeted out his support for college football going forward. Might be the nail in the coffin

 

[goldandblue]

So then play it the same time as baseball down there?

Baseball and Soccer are the same season down here. My son already had to make a decision on what he wanted to play upon entering Jr. High between those two. Baseball was the choice.

 

[texbender]

Sounds to me that, when push comes to shove, the players will play regardless of what the unions want. If the schools tell the unions to go piss up a rope a few players will opt out but the vast majority will play.

The schools are worried about players getting sick and possibly dying. The potential liability is enormous. I wonder if the players would sign a liability waiver?

What happens if the season is cancelled and the athletes return to home environments that in many cases may be less safe as far as COVID protocol, let alone potentially more temptation in an uncontrolled environment? Yeah, school can't be held liable if players go home and they die.
Is it not as simple as ...if you opt out, ok, you retain eligibility and scholarship for next season (if in good academic standing) or, if you opt in you can't blame someone if you contract the virus and die.

My job was classified as essential from the get-go, so haven't missed a day of work and have come to my office every work day and most weekends. While i get that the virus exists and presents dangers, I haven't seen too many people contract it. Certainly not to the extent that it is constantly reported.

Would love for a season, but if not one, see you in 2021.

 

[TP81989]

Wimps

So they're wimps because they aren't willing to risk a bunch of college kid's health for your enjoyment?

 

[Irish#1]

Again, this can't be said enough, there is no evidence whatsoever that these players will be safer not playing football. When playing, they are getting tested and monitored on a regular basis, and only interacting with cleared people (unless they choose to socialize outside of that group). That socializing is the risk, and that happens regardless of whether sports are played.

Trevor Lawrence was spot on about this stuff last night.

They are probably safer being under the eye of the athletic program where they can be tested on a daily basis and have immediate access to doctors. That's not really the point IMO. It's all about liability. No school president or board wants to be the first one to have a player contract COVID and then die. The ramifications are huge. What's the probability of that happening? Pretty small from what we've learned these past months, but they don't want to take the chance of hitting the COVID lottery.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

EDIT: The B1G denial is specifically:

"No vote has been held by our presidents and chancellors."

So that's not exactly a blanket denial.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Clay Travis is a bellend

I actually, really, hope he's just "acting" like this for his "base".

It's pathetic that he has to do that to "make a living". But it's even worse if he actually believes himself and takes himself seriously.

 

[Irishize]

The HUB project has a long way to go but it’s not surprising to see folks w/ the knowledge, money & entrepreneurship looking at an alternative to college football.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/spor...t-has-plan-for-football-players-to-find-path/

 

[Irish#1]

What happens if the season is cancelled and the athletes return to home environments that in many cases may be less safe as far as COVID protocol, let alone potentially more temptation in an uncontrolled environment? Yeah, school can't be held liable if players go home and they die.
Is it not as simple as ...if you opt out, ok, you retain eligibility and scholarship for next season (if in good academic standing) or, if you opt in you can't blame someone if you contract the virus and die.

My job was classified as essential from the get-go, so haven't missed a day of work and have come to my office every work day and most weekends. While i get that the virus exists and presents dangers, I haven't seen too many people contract it. Certainly not to the extent that it is constantly reported.

Would love for a season, but if not one, see you in 2021.

You need a new job!

 

[IrishLax]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/feature...acc-could-just-help-it-win/?ex_cid=538twitter

This is pretty interesting. Basically shows that ND has a *much* easier path to the playoffs as an ACC member rather than as an independent.

 

[dublinirish]

I actually, really, hope he's just "acting" like this for his "base".

It's pathetic that he has to do that to "make a living". But it's even worse if he actually believes himself and takes himself seriously.

him and his "base" are as bad as each other tbh

 

[greyhammer90]

I actually, really, hope he's just "acting" like this for his "base".

It's pathetic that he has to do that to "make a living". But it's even worse if he actually believes himself and takes himself seriously.

I'd say its actually much worse if he doesn't believe it?

When did being a dangerous asshole become better if you were making a good living at it?

 

[T Town Tommy]

EDIT: The B1G denial is specifically:



So that's not exactly a blanket denial.

I think the B1G put that feeler out there after they had taken an unofficial vote with their Presidents - 12-2 in favor of cancelling with Iowa and Nebraska voting to continue the fall season according to what some have reported. Rumor was that the thought process was that the PAC 12 would follow and then the remaining three P5s' shortly after. However, that apparently didn't go as planned by the B1G. Apparently the ACC, SEC, and Big 12 said they weren't ready to concede the fall season. That puts the B1G - with the ACC to a degree- in a pickle IMO. They have to decide very quickly on whether they try to have a season. Meanwhile, those conferences that pushed their start dates back to the end of September have more time to decide what they will do.

 

[Irish#1]

I think the B1G put that feeler out there after they had taken an unofficial vote with their Presidents - 12-2 in favor of cancelling with Iowa and Nebraska voting to continue the fall season according to what some have reported. Rumor was that the thought process was that the PAC 12 would follow and then the remaining three P5s' shortly after. However, that apparently didn't go as planned by the B1G. Apparently the ACC, SEC, and Big 12 said they weren't ready to concede the fall season. That puts the B1G - with the ACC to a degree- in a pickle IMO. They have to decide very quickly on whether they try to have a season. Meanwhile, those conferences that pushed their start dates back to the end of September have more time to decide what they will do.

Sounds like the B1G's clout isn't quite as big as they believe it to be.

Any president that thinks the season can be pushed to the spring doesn't really understand the rigors of playing CFB and the impact of trying to play two seasons so close together.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Sounds like the B1G's clout isn't quite as big as they believe it to be.

Any president that thinks the season can be pushed to the spring doesn't really understand the rigors of playing CFB and the impact of trying to play two seasons so close together.

A couple of things. I do believe the conference commissioners were trying to stay together early on and speak as one. But then the B1G goes out and announces conference only games. I believe the other commissioners didn't like the fact that the B1G tried to dsiplay their ego and "be the first." This hasn't set well with the other commissioners outside of probably the Pac 12 commissioner who seems lost as times.

The B1G, in trying to be the first" and trying to appear to "lead the way" hasn't set well with the commisioners in the ACC, SEC, and Big 12. It's to the point that I honestly believe those three P5 conferences will at least give it a go. If the B1G, and Pac 12 to a lesser extent are left out, I imagine the others could care less at this point.

 

[Irishize]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/feature...acc-could-just-help-it-win/?ex_cid=538twitter

This is pretty interesting. Basically shows that ND has a *much* easier path to the playoffs as an ACC member rather than as an independent.

Thx for sharing. Good article. I think in a “normal” season, their path is definitely easier. Even if one makes the case that there are some equal or better teams replacing ND’s traditional rivals, you still have to factor in the advantage of not traveling to Ireland or California...both multiple time zones away. How may P5 football players travel as much as ND?

Even if they do play that schedule, who knows how they’ll perform w/ the requisite Spring & Summer camps interrupted due to COVID? As fun as betting on CFB is, I would give it a few weeks to see if the perennial powers are still playing that way or if COVID interruptions have made ‘sure things” not so sure.

 

[NDMontana]

I applaud the BIG 10 for making a tough decision and being the first P5 conference to delay the season until the spring (at the very least).

I am glad they did because jr./sr. high schools will not budge on this until they see leaders and larger organizations make decisions like this.

I love football, and I coach football, but delaying the season is what should happen especially at the younger levels. We should have available vaccines before the spring, and we will hopefully know more about the long term side effects of the virus by then. As a coach of young people, the last thing I want to do is feel responsible for their health (in a new way). We already go through training to be able to help protect our children from concussions, heat sickness/stroke, etc. but viruses are not something we can be expected to be experts on, and without the resources of these major universities, I believe it is foolish for us to think that we can compete safely.

No one wants to lose football, but you will really lose football if the season creates a health crisis. And again, I would not be as worried about the college athletes at the major universities that will get great health care, but I worry for the smaller universities and high schools across America.

I might ask a few questions:
- How many kids have even contracted this? I've read repeatedly that it doesn't even impact them except in some very rare, highly anecdotal cases.
-How will know the long term effects of this virus in six more months?
-How about the impact of a rushed to market vaccine? There are some real horror stories out there are about past rushed to market vaccines. And, again, what if a lot of kids parent don't want their children taken a vaccine for a disease that has not impacted children nor of which they know the impact?

 

[Sea Turtle]

So they're wimps because they aren't willing to risk a bunch of college kid's health for your enjoyment?

Give me a break. 17 Clemson players had it and didn't even know it. Every player can opt out if they want to. Let the young men who want to play, play under a waiver.

If these young men were over 65 or had COPD then I would rethink things. 18 year olds have no problem serving in the military. I think they can play football

 

[snoopdog]

And America would finally get a wake up call in realizing that very few individuals in CFB & CBB go on to earn millions as pro athletes. What happens to all the others who were using their athletic scholarship to get a four year degree? That doesn’t even address the fact that Olympic sports & the other non-revenue generating sports would be eliminated.

Completely agree.

I said it before and I will say again....it is borderline criminal that Notre Dame gets to use the 4 for 40 slogan. That should be the slogan of the NCAA. But the NCAA would rather have....one and done.... than true student athletes. And then the NCAA questions why the Athletes want to get paid?

 

[JurDocDuLac]

Give me a break. 17 Clemson players had it and didn't even know it. Every player can opt out if they want to. Let the young men who want to play, play under a waiver.l

The NCAA last week specifically ruled out the use of waivers.

Removing the University/Conference legal liability to players in order to enable a profitable season is too unethical even for the NCAA.

 

[texbender]

You need a new job!

I love my job, love my paycheck, and love my contribution to society. And I love ND Football.

 

[BeauBenken]

Do you feel the same about kids attending classes, both at the college and high school level? Seems that if playing a sport is too dangerous, then having hundreds of kids together in a building is so as well. I'm not saying you're wrong, just curious if you think they go hand in hand.

I also do not think we should be back in brick and mortar schools -- at least not to normal capacity. Home room models where teachers are still teaching virtually minimize contact while still allowing for kids to be out of the home and parents to return to work. The school I teach at is planning to use a block schedule model but we will be in charge of contact tracing if a kid/staff member gets sick which could prove to be quite difficult.


College level seemingly does not need and cannot have a model like that, and I think virtual learning for the start of the year is the current best model there. That makes it impossible to have "student-athletes" on campus though with out really pulling the covers off of everyone's eyes in regards to the idea that football players and basketball players aren't students. (Though they should be.)

I might ask a few questions:
- How many kids have even contracted this? I've read repeatedly that it doesn't even impact them except in some very rare, highly anecdotal cases.
-How will know the long term effects of this virus in six more months?
-How about the impact of a rushed to market vaccine? There are some real horror stories out there are about past rushed to market vaccines. And, again, what if a lot of kids parent don't want their children taken a vaccine for a disease that has not impacted children nor of which they know the impact?

I mean, I don't how you want to determine anecdotal cases. I'm saying we do not know everything about this virus yet, particularly the long term effects which seem to be able to impact young, healthy individuals...even those who were not hit extraordinarily hard by the virus. Here is an article referencing specifically the cases of college/pro athletes. It appears that there may be legitimate long term health effects, many of which are extremely problematic -- myocarditis, blood clots, strokes, scarring and inflammation of the lungs. More time might give us an opportunity to see if this is essentially permanent or just a long lasting side effect or if we can help prevent these issues from arising at all.

In terms of a rushed to market vaccine...the CDC's webpage of recalled vaccines tells me that there hasn't been one successfully connected to creating more, severe health problems since before the millennium (RotaShield). Let me know if I'm just ignorant on this though -- I am relatively young. The vaccines which are being produced currently are still going through testing. The virus has simply created a demand that has caused company's to spend more time and energy than usual to get one out. I don't think there's need to worry.

 

[Legacy]

If the season is canceled, what's to stop athletes from signing with an agent with a nice signing bonus while finishing their last year of college? This could soon be a very busy time for agents.

 

[Valpodoc85]

This may very well go to 2022. Getting ahead of the pandemic is no joke. I have also seen lasting issues in patients with minimal symptoms. Imagine a pro cornerback retiring after contracting covid never needing hospitalization but developing persistent respiratory symptoms. With ongoing admission deferrals and short falls in sports revenue there will be schools that opt out of football. At least in the short hall

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

We still have the politics thread to keep IE going strong if there is no football season...

 

[Sea Turtle]

This may very well go to 2022. Getting ahead of the pandemic is no joke. I have also seen lasting issues in patients with minimal symptoms. Imagine a pro cornerback retiring after contracting covid never needing hospitalization but developing persistent respiratory symptoms. With ongoing admission deferrals and short falls in sports revenue there will be schools that opt out of football. At least in the short hall

2022? At that point you'd probably have lawsuits from players demanding that they can play.