If proof was ever needed that football “just means more” in the Southeastern Conference, one need look no further than Fayetteville.
Think a pandemic is threatening? Try a 10-game schedule that includes No. 3 Alabama, No. 4 Georgia, No. 5 LSU, No. 8 Florida, No. 11 Auburn and No. 13 Texas A&M as ranked by the initial Coaches’ poll.
That grind is treacherous. Perhaps, historically so. That’s the opinion of Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek, anyway.
After learning last Friday that East Division powerhouses Georgia and Florida would be added to the Razorbacks’ SEC-only schedule, Yurachek tweeted:
“We already owned the nation’s strongest 2020 football schedule, and with these additions to our SEC only schedule, we now own the most challenging schedule in the history of college football.”
Remember, these are the Razorbacks that haven’t beaten an SEC opponent in the last two seasons. In that span, they’ve also lost to San Jose State, Western Kentucky and North Texas by a combined score of 120-60.
Yet, on Sunday, Yuracek also tweeted this message:
“On behalf of the Razorbacks football team (that includes my son) and each of @ArkRazorbacks student-athletes that I represent, serve, support, care for, fight for and love. #WeWantToPlay.”
If any football program could be excused for wanting to sit out a season due to coronavirus, Swine Flu or even just a charley horse, it would be Arkansas.
The Razorbacks wanting to play that schedule is like turkeys wanting to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Apparently, though, the Hogs have joined the #WeWantToPlay movement started by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and several other star players across the country.
Texas A&M’s DeMarvin Leal, Leon O’Neal, Devin Morris, Jaylon Jones, Isaiah Spiller, Clifford Chattman, Dylan Wright and Anthony Hines are among players expressing a desire to play this season via social media as well.
Will that be enough to save the season? Probably not. Some issues must be worked out, and drastic measures must be taken.
COVID-19 cases for many college football teams were consistently reduced when players returned to campus to workout under guidelines set by individual programs and conferences. Oklahoma and Notre Dame are among those that recently reported no cases.
TexAgs
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has said that his conference will likely defer on more decisions regarding the 2020 season for a little longer.
A few weeks ago, the SEC said all of its members had fewer than 10 cases in their entire athletic programs, not just the football programs.
Yet, cases spiked at Rutgers and Kansas State after players went to parties. Would college football players agree to isolate themselves during the season?
Maybe they would. Maybe they wouldn’t. It might not matter.
The Pac-12 appears ready to cancel the football season. That really wouldn’t matter. The conference has become largely irrelevant already.
However, the incredibly relevant Big Ten is reportedly also on the edge of canceling the season. A report said Big Ten university presidents voted 12-2 to cancel the season, with only Iowa and Nebraska voting to play.
Politicians even got involved. On a radio interview with Outkick’s Clay Travis, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis encouraged the SEC and ACC to play and suggested top Big Ten players transfer to play in the south.
That seemed to jibe with reports that the Southeastern Conference planned to play and was trying to convince the Big 12 and ACC to go along with them.
Then, Monday afternoon rumors surfaced that Big Ten members Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Nebraska were negotiating to join the Big 12 for this season.
What to believe? Who to believe? Who knows?
But if Arkansas players are willing to face that schedule, you can believe there’s still at least a chance for a college football season.
