Discouraging news continues to flow in regarding fall sports this year due to the current landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the State Fair of Texas was canceled for the first time since World War II. How this may impact the classic Red River Rivalry game is yet to be seen as this is a fluid situation. However, both the Texas and Oklahoma athletic directors have voiced their optimism that the game will be played as scheduled.
On top of that, it was reported on Wednesday that the Ivy League, part of the FCS, has canceled all fall sports. CBS insider Jon Rothstein stated via Twitter that the conference will not entertain any sports until the beginning of next year.
Sources: Ivy League programs have been informed that fall sports have been cancelled.
The conference will not entertain any sports being played until after January 1st.
Winter sports will have an update in mid-July on their respective practice schedules.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 8, 2020
While this isn’t necessarily an indication of what is to come for the FBS, it’s certainly worth noting. What could potentially save the Power Five conferences in terms of allowing them to play football this fall is the financial strain.
The FBS and FCS are quite different in terms of the national spotlight. The main indicator between the two is how a final winner is determined. The FBS hosts a four-team College Football Playoff while the FCS hosts a 24-team playoff for the NCAA D-1 Football Championship. FCS teams can only have 63 players on scholarship, while FBS teams can have 85.
Ivy League cancels all of fall sports. It could determine at later date whether football will be played in spring or not until fall 2021. 1st reported by @JonRothstein. Don’t expect FBS to necessarily make same call, sources told @Stadium. “Ivies aren’t as vulnerable financially"
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 8, 2020
The Ivy League has the freedom to make such a decision since they’re built on their educational superiority, while the FBS could suffer substantially. However, it’s still too early to determine what the FBS will consider.
There are several avenues to explore such as moving the college football season to the spring, shortening the schedule to conference opponents only, limiting fan attendance, etc.
Regardless of which route is ultimately taken, the public’s health and safety measures should be the ultimate priority.