[jwplayer nZfE78tb]
Another week is nearly in the books — and by the end of this weekend, another month as well — and all systems are “go” for fall football in the Southeastern Conference, as well as the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conferences. But the road from here to Sept. 26 is anything but a smooth one, with more potholes than a Michigan road due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
We begin today’s news with the question, “Is anyone actually thinking of tailgating amid a pandemic?” Only three Power Five schools — Boston College, Duke and West Virginia — have said they will not host fans at the beginning of the season, with others considering hosting partial capacity stadiums.
South Carolina says it can allow approximately 20,000 fans at Williams-Brice Stadium this fall per game. Also says it will "welcome a limited number of students, visiting team families and Gamecock band members."
— Nicole Auerbach 😷 (@NicoleAuerbach) August 27, 2020
While we still have a week before the Football Bowl Subdivision kicks off its season, the Football Championship Subdivision kicks off its schedule on Saturday night as Central Arkansas and Austin Peay face off at 9 p.m. ET, which will be broadcast on ESPN. The match represents the first college football game played during the COVID-19 era.
For those of you interested in fantasy football this fall, USA TODAY Sports has put together a draft kit for the upcoming season. They’ve got you covered with this quick one-stop-shop for fantasy football rankings, draft strategy and everything else you need to dominate your draft.
Around the Swamp
- Florida Gators in mix for three more 2021 top football prospects: Currently consisting of 24 members, the Florida Gators’ 2021 recruiting class is ranked No. 6 in America and third-best in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), per the 247Sports Composite.
- Florida Gators among the best at producing NFL talent this century: Since the year 2000, UF is among the highest-ranked schools in terms of players selected in the NFL Draft, notching 109 overall total picks (24 of which were in the first round) over that time period.
- CBS Sports bowl projections: Florida Gators to the New Year’s Six: Palm has the Gators missing the College Football Playoff but making it to the New Year’s Six for the third time in as many seasons.
- Southeastern Conference announces new start dates, formats for fall seasons: The Southeastern Conference announced its new start dates and formats for fall sports among its member schools in a press release published on Thursday.
- Florida Gators football ranked 5th in Sports Illustrated’s preseason poll: The Gators rank fifth on these new rankings, behind SEC foes Alabama and Georgia, who are ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
It’s great to be a Florida Gator!
🔥 🔥 🔥 #GatorMade 🐊 https://t.co/cXn9LSDsIM
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 26, 2020
[lawrence-related id=21120,21086,21035,21009]