Home orders for residents of Los Angeles County can continue until August and California State University system plans mainly operate online this fall due to the coronavirus pandemic. After watching this news, it's easy to wonder how college football fits into the state of this picture.
The people of Alabama would wonder the same. According to SEC network host Paul FinebaumTide officials have had conversations with TCU officials about teams competing in week 1 if necessary. TCU is slated to play Cal on September 5, while Alabama is slated to play USC in Arlington, Texas on the same day.
Alabama sports director Greg Byrne responded briefly Tuesday evening.
I received a text message from Alabama AD @Greg_Byrne
A few minutes ago in response to the question about the possibility of an Alabama-TCU starter.Related Downloads:
His response: "Our plan is to play at USC."
– Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) May 12, 2020
On Tuesday, FS1 host Colin Cowherd expanded on Finebaum's article, tweeting that sources had told him that USC-Alabama would not be played and that the Pac-12 conference could not take place before next spring.
Told by two people I trust: USC v Alabama does not happen. Trojans can't even train in Los Angeles for several months. This is why Bama is already talking to other possible opponents. Not official but understood. Now feeling that Pac 12 football in the spring is much more likely.
– Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) May 13, 2020
Shortly after Cowherd's tweet, ESPN reported NCAA President Mark Emmert said it would be up to state officials and university presidents, rather than the association, to decide when or if fall sports can begin.
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USC and Cal are not part of the 23 campuses in the CSU system that will offer most fall courses online, but other California institutions may do the same in the three months leading up to the scheduled start of courses .
Three CSU schools play at the Mountain West conference: Fresno State, San Diego State, and San José State. Presidents of these universities and MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson said Tuesday in a joint statement, "No sports decision has been made."
Clearly, much remains to be determined before a clash between Alabama and TCU in week 1. What will the coronavirus pandemic look like in the coming months? If students are not on university campuses in the fall, will there be college football?
Emmert Said this Last week, on the last question: "All of the commissioners and all the presidents I spoke to agree: if you don't have students on campus, you don't have student athletes on campus. "
With so much pending, schools seem to be considering all possibilities while planning ahead.
Now we all have to wait to see how their plans change.