The novel coronavirus is sweeping the United State like wildfire and could impact the coming college football season.
Having topped two million people worldwide, the virus is not being taken lightly by governors — especially Ohio’s Mike DeWine who has put into place a shelter-at-home order till May 1.
Hailed as one of the governors being at the forefront of preventing the disease, he offered hesitation recently regarding a 100,000-plus crowd watching Ohio State this fall.
But, if the highly contagious virus continues at its current pace, there’s no denying the entire season could be in jeopardy as playing at all would put players at an increased risk of exposure.
After all, the bulk of major sports leagues like the NBA, MLB and MLS have yet to give solid timetables for their return. That said, if the season is canceled, this pandemic may cost fans another chance to Justin Fields in a Buckeye uniform.
It is true it’s pure speculation to think there won’t be a college football season, and nobody is pretending to have insight on something here. It’s just simply a real possibility that things won’t be at a point where everyone will agree across different locations, management, and situations to make everything work for large gatherings like a major college football game.
There are concessions that can be made, like games without fans, testing protocols, and more to help mitigate the health risk, but there’s no way to completely eliminate it at this point. The chances of that changing dramatically over the next few months isn’t looking promising either.
Governor Mike DeWine not confident in masses at Ohio State football games https://t.co/ikV6SeHgqJ
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) April 15, 2020
We also don’t know how the NCAA will treat any of this in regards to eligibility and exceptions. But if the utmost in caution continues (and there’s reason to believe that it might), Fields could have a decision to make on the next step in his career. He’ll be NFL eligible once he’s three years removed from High School. That means he could hypothetically enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
It’s not Justin Just Fields either.
Cornerback Shaun Wade and wide receiver Chris Olave would also have a options. It’d most saddening for Wade who could’ve been preparing for the NFL Draft now but opted to return.
For Fields, the Heisman Trophy finalist really could use another solid season. After several dynamic, dual-threat Ohio State quarterbacks failed at the highest level, it would’ve been ideal for another utterly dominant season. One in which he might even bring some coveted hardware home.
One of the best in college football, Fields ended the 2019 season with 41 touchdowns and three interceptions. His dual-threat natural was huge for Ohio State in multiple games — tacking on almost 500 yards and 10 touchdowns to his resume.
Head coach Ryan Day is planning and hoping for a season like many others in the same boat.
“Some football is better than no football,” Ryan Day said on a teleconference call with reporters Wednesday. Basically, Day is noting that having games without fans isn’t ideal, but it’s better than not playing at all.
We are right there with you coach. But, the health of everyone is of utmost concern and we’ll just have to see how it all plays out.