The Pac-12 canceled their 2020 football season on Monday, following the Big Ten. There has been controversy around the decision, with players and coaches from around the country feeling as if football can be played.
However, there is one head coach who feels like the ACC, Big 12, and SEC are heading in the same direction as the Big Ten and Pac-12.
Washington’s head coach Chris Petersen stepped down after the 2019 season and was replaced by defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake. The first-year head coach thinks the other three Power Five conferences will be heading down the same direction as the Pac-12.
“I believe all three other conferences are going to follow suit (canceling) in due time.”
Washington coach Jimmy Lake: "I believe all three other conferences are going to follow suit (canceling) in due time."
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) August 14, 2020
The Big 12 took a major step towards playing on Wednesday, releasing its 2020 schedule. Commissioner Bob Bowlsby has done an excellent job making sure players and coaches are as safe as possible.
🚨 Fall sports update from @Big12Conference Commissioner Bob Bowlsby.
➡️ https://t.co/1guHAHmzzW pic.twitter.com/rMR4XFgRQG
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 12, 2020
Given so many conversations have occurred between Bowlsby, student-athletes and medical staff it would be hard to fathom that they would change course now. At least not without new information being provided. As Bowlsby stated “reasonable people can disagree.” That seems to be the case here.
Provided that the three major conferences left proceed, then the questions comes about if there will be a College Football Playoff. The short answer being that seem poised to continue down that road. The committee has given no indication that they won’t move forward given the teams still planning on playing.
The commissioner did mention there is a call next week with the committee so they can hash out the plan. The next question that make come is will the future champion being considered legitimate? If you asked Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, he thinks so.
“Whoever wins it wins it, that’s the champion.” – Swinney to GoUpState.com