Southeast Conference football matches will have general scenes of crowded stadiums and revelers.
Some of the league’s most productive players are also on their way, adding LSU catcher Ja’Marr Chase and new Georgian quarterback Jamie Newman. During the COVID-19 season, SEC groups, however, open their 10-game league schedule alone. Saturday.
Mix emotion with a healthy dose of insecurity, how many games will be canceled or postponed?Which groups can be decimated by positive tests in a safe position or wasting their initial shift?
Even SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Wednesday, “I’m holding my breath a little bit. “
Coaches too. Players retire before the first few games, adding Vanderbilt supporter Feleti Afemui and Texas A supporter
Sankey, meanwhile, has a new definition of what qualifies as a successful season.
“Being in Atlanta on December 19 to call a convention champion would describe it as a success,” he said.
Most SEC coaches play closely to identify players who will miss the game due to COVID-19, if they do. Their silence has as much to do with competitive merit as it is with player privacy.
As Florida coach Dan Mullen said, “You’ll know on Saturday.
Situations can be fluid, and testing will continue the week. Alabama coach Nick Saban said Monday that there were no players for second-placed Crimson Tide who were absent because of COVID-related issues.
“But we check every single day, so it’s a kind of continuous procedure to figure out how it’s going,” Saban said.
Auburn’s number 8 had a dozen quarantine players on Tuesday, coach Gus Malzahn said.
In addition to the available players, the setting will be for the most commonly empty stadiums.
Most organizations allow 20-25% gaming capacity, Vanderbilt has no enthusiasts until at least October. There is also no escora on campus, nor is there any performance of the organization.
There is no way to measure the effect of COVID-19 this weekend, let alone during the season, but there have already been winners and losers, with players retiring, creating unforeseen demanding situations for teams.
– Taxes A
– Chase’s loss was a blow to an LSU team that has already replaced Trophy-winning quarterback Heisman, Joe Burrows. Chase set SEC records with 1,780 yards received and 20 touchdowns to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s most sensible catcher. Security Kary Vincent (47 takes, 4 interceptions) and a remarkable defensive take of Tyler Shelvin also retired.
Coach Ed Orgeron expects his team to remain largely in transparency for much of the season because “most of our players have outperformed it. “He said players who have recovered from COVID-19 do not have to be re-examined for 90 days. according to SEC protocols.
Georgia may dispense with Newman, especially with former USC incumbent JT Daniels, eligible for the season and join the festival with D’wan Mathis (assuming his knee is considered in an action position). team wishing to upgrade Jake Fromm. In addition, late Wednesday morning, coach Kirby Smart said Daniels “did not get medical clearance” to play while recovering from an injury last season.
Fans and grazing traditions are also very successful, with generally empty stadiums and no pre-match walks through cheered fans. Even The Grove in Mississippi will be closed to prostitutes and the Champions Walk.
“We played for others,” said Middle Ole Miss Ben Brown, who took on the initial task after Eli Johnson retired for the season. “It’s wonderful to have a crowd. It’s wonderful to have the Grove and the Champions Walk. It’s wonderful. . It’s an Ole Miss tradition, but we still have to play on Saturday. “
Many have to play with teammates who have also retired from the season.
Vandy’s intermission, Grant Miller, said it wasn’t entirely new, comparing the loss of players to teammates who were injured.
“You just have to have a kind of mentality next to the man,” Miller said.
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AP Sports editors Teresa Walker, Charles Odum, Pete Iacobelli and Mark Long contributed to the report.
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