DraftKings Network - Tracking if the 2020 college football regular season starts on timeAnother great SB Nation bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52893/DKN_Favicon_32x32..png2020-09-04T15:07:15-07:00http://dknetwork.draftkings.com/rss/stream/209736952020-09-04T15:07:15-07:002020-09-04T15:07:15-07:00TCU vs. SMU postponed indefinitely due to positive Covid-19 tests
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<img alt="A general view of the game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vDxx_SEOQ85hetKtklsFjrdDWpc=/83x0:4484x2934/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67357765/1190965621.jpg.0.jpg" />
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<p>TCU’s season-opener against SMU has been postponed.</p> <p id="GcQ4zj">The <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com/">TCU Horned Frogs</a> were scheduled to open their 2020 regular season schedule hosting the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/smu-mustangs">SMU Mustangs</a>, but the game has been postponed indefinitely. TCU announced they have had “some” of their football players and support staff test positive for Covid-19. Reporter Drew Davison is hearing “a few position groups have been <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article245494150.html">depleted by the recent outbreak</a>.”</p>
<p id="oJVGIK">The two teams are looking at dates to potentially make up the game. TCU’s new opener is also its Big 12 opener when they host Iowa State. SMU is opening their season this coming Saturday when they travel to face Texas State.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TCU vs. SMU game update. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoFrogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoFrogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/RBWloCuUJh">pic.twitter.com/RBWloCuUJh</a></p>— Jeremiah Donati (@JDonati_TCU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDonati_TCU/status/1301996853932818433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2020</a>
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https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/9/4/21423538/tcu-vs-smu-postponed-positive-covid-19-tests-2020-college-football-seasonDavid Fucillo2020-08-31T15:24:03-07:002020-08-31T15:24:03-07:00List of college football players opting out of 2020 season
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<img alt="Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman during the Outback Bowl between the Auburn Tigers and Minnesota Golden Gophers on January 01, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ybUgGsrG9Q3S-yYHe2sIL8KO71s=/0x0:3755x2503/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67153269/1192226306.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The college football season still may not happen, but if it does, some players are choosing to opt out.</p> <p id="tbx9lC">The 2020 college football season is on shaky ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and even before FBS conferences decide if they’ll play the season, players are opting out. We’ll be tracking news as players decide to opt out for the 2020 college football season.</p>
<h2 id="Pq9H9v">Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern</h2>
<p id="wr6Xa7"><a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1296548583706112001">Slater projects as a first-round pick</a>, and will immediately start preparing for the Draft. Listed at 6’4, 315 lbs., the Preseason All-American, Outland Trophy watch list member, and highest-graded returning Big Ten offensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus started 11 games last season and didn’t allow one sack.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wildcat for Life <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NWO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NWO</a> <a href="https://t.co/3n7ELT2zKF">pic.twitter.com/3n7ELT2zKF</a></p>— Rashawn Slater (@rdsl8r) <a href="https://twitter.com/rdsl8r/status/1296537669124726784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="THHkc5">Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue</h2>
<p id="WASZSv">The Boilermakers lead wide receiver only played four games in 2019 before a hamstring injury cost him the rest of the season, but he’ll be one for the NFL Draft for sure. In his first two games before getting hurt, he had 24 catches for 344 yards against Nevada and Vanderbilt.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Farewell <a href="https://t.co/4LioRRoOEM">pic.twitter.com/4LioRRoOEM</a></p>— Rondale Moore (@moore_rondale) <a href="https://twitter.com/moore_rondale/status/1291492884269740033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="Hdpe4L">Greg Rousseau, DE, Miami</h2>
<p id="hdRQsP">The Canes stud DE had 54 tackles and 15.5 sacks in 2019. He’ll be draft eligible after this season, so he might have played his last game in Coral Gables.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Greg Rousseau has told Manny Diaz he will not be playing football this season.</p>— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) <a href="https://twitter.com/Manny_Navarro/status/1291446757784788993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="GsWSgr">Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota</h2>
<p id="AMoSwZ">On Tuesday, August 4th, Minnesota wide receiver <span>Rashod Bateman</span> announced he is opting out of the season and will instead declare for the 2021 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. He is currently the 19th ranked prospect on <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/insider/story/_/id/29224070/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-todd-mcshay-way-too-early-top-32-prospects-class">Todd McShay’s preseason rankings</a>. The 6’2, 210 pound pass catcher finished the 2019 season with 60 catches, 1,219 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wishing well❤️ <a href="https://t.co/fxV1FI7r7o">pic.twitter.com/fxV1FI7r7o</a></p>— Rashod Bateman (@R_bateman2) <a href="https://twitter.com/R_bateman2/status/1290631485222014977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="QDphkq">Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech</h2>
<p id="uw6qdi">This news follows word that Virginia Tech cornerback <span>Caleb Farley</span> is <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1288568015651577856">opting out</a> and beginning preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft. He discussed his reasoning in a guest column for <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/08/02/lamar-jackson-ravens-nfl-fmia-peter-king/">Peter King’s <em>Football Morning In America</em></a>. His concerns grew when he started taking part in workouts this offseason due to lack of testing or any consistent health and safety protocols. He is expected to be among the cornerbacks taken early in the draft.</p>
<h2 id="n2OrCR">Micah Parsons, OLB, Penn State</h2>
<p id="3f9M2L">Parsons <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDjl7pYAy9R/?igshid=1b84bap7ivch1">announced on Thursday, August 6th</a> he will be opting out of the 2020 season and begin preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft. <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/insider/story/_/id/29127655/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-top-25-prospects-best-position-mel-kiper-big-board">Mel Kiper ranks him</a> as the No. 5 prospect in the 2021 draft class. He stands 6’3, 245 pounds, and in two seasons, he had 191 tackles, 19 for loss, 6.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles. He played defensive end in high school and linebacker in college, so there’s some flexibility there.</p>
<h2 id="40t3rm">Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU</h2>
<p id="9znHt1">Chase will enter the 2021 NFL Draft, where <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29773535/source-lsu-receiver-jamarr-chase-enter-nfl-draft">Todd McShay has him listed fourth on his list of Top 50 pro prospects</a>. Considering his upside financially, it’d be silly for him to try and play this season.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you! <a href="https://t.co/elByYq0oNg">pic.twitter.com/elByYq0oNg</a></p>— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) <a href="https://twitter.com/Real10jayy__/status/1300525108193361923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="jkpNJu">Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU</h2>
<p id="Jyb6FS">Despite <a href="https://twitter.com/Bruhman72/status/1217615795326476294">being draft eligible and announcing he was coming back anyway</a>, Shevlin will leave Baton Rouge. Some <a href="https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2020/07/24/nfl-saints-2021-mock-draft-tyler-shelvin-lsu-football-prospects/">mock drafts have him projected as a first-rounder</a>, whereas others <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fcollege-football-top-25-defensive-linemen-returning-2020&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fdknetwork.draftkings.com%2F2020%2F8%2F4%2F21353918%2Fcollege-football-season-2020-players-opting-out-covid-19-coronavirus" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">aren’t as high on his prospects</a>. His huge frame at 346 lbs. will leave scouts drooling.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">NEWS: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LSU</a> DT Tyler Shelvin informed the coaching staff today that he plans to opt out of the 2020 season, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/SInow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SINow</a>.<br><br>He's a redshirt junior and is eligible for the 2021 draft.</p>— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) <a href="https://twitter.com/RossDellenger/status/1300554730884812801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2020</a>
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https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/8/4/21353918/college-football-season-2020-players-opting-out-covid-19-coronavirusDavid Fucillo2020-08-20T11:33:56-07:002020-08-20T11:33:56-07:00Utah Utes football asks season ticket holders if they would kindly pay for games that don’t exist
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<img alt="Samson Nacua of the Utah Utes celebrates after scoring a touchdown and a two point conversion late in the third quarter during the Pac-12 Championship football game against the Oregon Ducks at Levi’s Stadium on December 6, 2019 in Santa Clara, California." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6UUPqUUyMRRLWueqRQAdVGnqMX0=/0x0:5084x3389/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67236467/1193019385.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alika Jenner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Utah asks donors and season ticket holders if they can hold a few dollars until next August. </p> <p id="BEuGAf">College athletic departments across America are featuring massive financial downswings. With no college football games to broadcast or tickets to sell, it has reached crisis scale at schools across America. </p>
<p id="gOEUom">But one of the newest members of the Pac-12 has a solution: the <a href="https://www.blocku.com/">Utah Utes</a> are asking stakeholders for a payday loan with no interest! Oh BTW it’s not a loan as they don’t intend to give you your money back if you agree.</p>
<p id="0FWRdz">The <a href="https://static.utahutes.com/custompages/reinvestinu">ReinvestInU webpage put together by the program</a> is an example of the measures even Power Five FBS programs need to stay afloat in a Covid-19 world. In exchange for not asking for a refund for your season tickets and the tax-deductible donation associated with it, you’ll receive the following benefits. </p>
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<p id="wGuGG1"><strong>What incentives will I receive for reinvesting my 2020 payment as a tax-deductible contribution?</strong></p>
<p id="tAqJkY">Increased Crimson Club priority. For every dollar converted to a tax-deductible donation, Utah Athletics will match with a dollar of additional soft credit to your 2021 Crimson Club priority (up to $1,000 soft credit).</p>
<p id="ZFw4eg">Public recognition of your generous support.</p>
<p id="wSoh9W">Exclusive engagement opportunities in 2020 and beyond.</p>
<p id="juh0y1">Seat purchase and allocation priority for a potential Spring season.</p>
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<p id="NyOJ7a">To give you an idea of the shortfall, here’s part of a letter from athletic director Mark Harlan to fans:</p>
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<p id="8M388v">As our student-athletes continue to do their part, we need to do ours. Utah Athletics, like many of our peers, is facing an unprecedented financial challenge as we navigate the impacts of this pandemic. At this time, we anticipate a $55-60 million revenue loss just in this fiscal year alone. We are prepared to weather this storm, in part because of your generosity through the years, along with difficult but necessary cost-saving measures within the department</p>
<p id="zSwNr4">I write you today to respectfully ask you to consider, as you have so many times, to reinvest in Utah Athletics.</p>
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<p id="bDcZsQ">It’s not a financial hostage situation, as season ticket subscribers can either “reinvest” all or a portion of 2020 payments, apply payments to the fall 2021 football season, or request a full refund including of donation. But creating an entire program hoping people are willing to forfeit the money for services not provided is generally not a normal business practice.</p>
<p id="UTSwfc">Not playing affects the Conference of Champions more than their other P5 brethren, <a href="https://www.si.com/johnwallstreet/sports-business/pac-12-apple">as their media rights deal already pays significantly less than their peers</a>. The revenue gaps for most schools are over 50% of their annual budget, so it’ll be lots of layoffs and other cuts unless dollars come in the door. Some schools can borrow from their foundations or endowments to free up short-term capital, but for the ones that can’t it might come down to the generosity of their fans and alumni. </p>
<p id="bWR6Oq">One thing is for certain: You can bet the 2019 Pac-12 South Champions won’t be the first team to try and add short term cash via this method.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/8/20/21377647/utah-utes-football-2020-season-tickets-refunds-donation-mark-harlan-kyle-whittingham-reinvestCollin Sherwin2020-08-18T04:15:00-07:002020-08-18T04:15:00-07:00Wait: We’re really going to play college football??
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<img alt="Trevor Lawrence of the Clemson Tigers runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the LSU Tigers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana.&nbsp;" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qHQwuyaOQOzUmLeNiMYFIT2q4gs=/0x1:4181x2788/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67218992/1200358395.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Never underestimate the ability of college athletics to do the wrong thing. But if we’re going to play, here’s what the plan is right now. Odds on games included!</p> <p id="sqmcle">From the people that brought you <a href="https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/bad-idea-jeans/n9937">Bad Idea Jeans</a> and the <a href="https://time.com/3586398/ford-edsel-history/">Edsel</a>, it’s time to get ready for College Football 2020!</p>
<p id="hqEO6l">Despite having neither the budget nor inclination to test students on an almost-daily basis, or the capacity to quarantine students from the rest of the student body, athletic directors in six conferences and three independent schools are pushing forward with FBS college football this season.</p>
<p id="zKoF8Z">The ACC, Big 12, and SEC intend to play either conference-only schedules or with one additional game outside the league. Notre Dame joins the ACC for this season only, and BYU and Liberty will be praying the virus doesn’t strike. Non-power leagues The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/american">American</a>, Conference USA, and the Sun Belt will join them. The Big Ten, Pac-12, MAC, and Mountain West will sit at home until at least the spring.</p>
<p id="pWS8I4">And whether this is a good idea or not, the new <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/15/21370153/covid-saliva-test-authorization-fda-nba-yale">saliva testing developed by the Yale, the NBA, and the NBA Players Association</a> will give cover to plenty of athletic directors that want to play this season. And you can be sure every coach and quant in the SEC is looking for labs in their area that can turn these new tests around in just hours.</p>
<p id="i35JyK">Nobody is rooting against The Best Sport returning. We all want to see the kids do what they love, and the most passionate fans in America having something to cheer for as we navigate Covid-19 would be terrific. But even with schedules released and players practicing, there’s still a long way from here to there before we actually kick off a game.</p>
<h2 id="O5xXyj">So this is really going to happen?</h2>
<p id="Q0oWED">For now, yes. Despite the <a href="https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/08/covid-clusters-edit-0816">University of North Carolina looking like a sci-fi film</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/Greg_Byrne/status/1295109367201705984">plenty of other college towns just not respecting social distance</a>, six conferences still think they can play football this year. </p>
<p id="QS4dfF"><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2020/8/17/21372914/sec-football-schedule-2020-odds-championship-game-alabama-auburn-georgia-florida-tennessee-ole-miss">The SEC released a complete schedule yesterday</a>, kicking off on September 26th and ending with a title game on December 19th. They will play no out-of-conference games.</p>
<p id="10a7wb"><a href="https://fbschedules.com/big-12-football-schedule/">The Big XII did the same a few days ago</a>, and they’ll be starting with a non-conference game before kicking off a nine-game league play slate on September 26th. </p>
<p id="WXOhYZ">The <a href="https://fbschedules.com/acc-football-schedule/">ACC is playing 10 conference games</a> plus one non-conference, and will hold their title game on either December 12th or 19th.</p>
<p id="BT9tEk">The <a href="https://theamerican.org/calendar.aspx?path=football">American is playing their usual eight conference games</a>, and allowing teams to play as many as four non-conference as well if they can find opponents.</p>
<p id="LYWRv9"><a href="https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2020/8/4/sun-belt-conference-football-season-update.aspx">The Sun Belt hasn’t released a schedule yet</a>, but is also allowing an 8 conference + 4 non-conference model as soon as Week 0 (that’s August 29th for those of you that can’t believe it either at home).</p>
<p id="YJCtE0"><a href="https://twitter.com/ConferenceUSA/status/1293702946727895042">C-USA is in the same boat as the Sun Belt</a>, but hasn’t released a schedule yet either.</p>
<h2 id="uSFC4F">Great! Can I bet on this?</h2>
<p id="EzmIZ9">Of course! Right now there’s only two individual games on the board at <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/football/2?category=game-lines&subcategory=game">DraftKings Sportsbook</a>:</p>
<h3 id="ys5oZf">October 10th: The Red River Shootout</h3>
<p id="NaOuV1">Oklahoma -2.5 vs. Texas</p>
<h3 id="v3UJmD">November 7th: The best non-conference game that’s now a conference game</h3>
<p id="Q081ls">Clemson -7.5 vs. Notre Dame</p>
<p id="pwe3dq">But the three Power Five leagues all have futures markets for an eventual champion. More on those later this week.</p>
<p id="tfAZMU"><em>If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ NH). NJ/PA/WV/IN/NH/IA/CO/IL only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/</em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured"><em>sportsbook</em></a><em> for full terms and conditions.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/8/18/21371897/college-football-season-2020-start-date-acc-sec-big-12-yep-it-might-just-happenCollin Sherwin2020-08-17T13:11:33-07:002020-08-17T13:11:33-07:00SEC releases opening week schedule
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<img alt="Head Coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers talks with the media during the press conference after the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel on January 14, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana.&nbsp;" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/33vNF6M-_7kda5WHwM3cWk4buhU=/0x0:5400x3600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67216447/1193640278.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>No spreads yet, but at least we know who is (allegedly) playing where</p> <p id="WrLCfn">There’s still a lot that needs to happen before players actually take to the field, but today the Southeastern Conference released the schedule for the opening week of the season, which in this modified 2020 schedule will be September 26th.</p>
<p id="T9sVRQ">Alabama at Missouri<br>Florida at Ole Miss<br>Georgia at Arkansas<br>Kentucky at Auburn<br>Mississippi State at LSU<br>Tennessee at South Carolina<br>Vanderbilt at Texas A&M</p>
<p id="J077Ha">There are five games that are cross-division, and only two within their normal side of the league with the Mississippi State Bulldogs and new head coach Mike Leach heading to Baton Rouge for their crack at Ed Orgeron and the defending champion <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/">LSU Tigers</a>. Also the <a href="https://www.rockytoptalk.com/">Tennessee Volunteers</a> will be in Columbia to take on the <a href="https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/">South Carolina Gamecocks</a>, who have opened on a weeknight for the past few seasons. We’ll see if for television purposes that game gets moved to Thursday or Friday night.</p>
<p id="xKWNN0">Consider this schedule and everything else related to college football written in pencil, but we’ll have odds for the games posted as soon as they’re available. But to the conference where football means more than any other, they’ve now got something to hope for a mere 40 days from today.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/8/17/21372589/sec-football-opening-week-schedule-september-26-alabama-vs-missouri-florida-ole-miss-georgia-lsuCollin Sherwin2020-08-13T07:46:10-07:002020-08-13T07:46:10-07:00Warren Thompson says FSU athletics put ‘my overall well being in jeopardy’
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<img alt="Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Warren Thompson reacts to making a play during the game between the Boise State Broncos and the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, August 31st, 2019." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_XlLa_vXym7C60g0abrYm0bHgxw=/0x0:4511x3007/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67198540/1165787268.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>‘Noles wide receiver Warren Thompson speaks out on Twitter in the wake of what he thinks are ineffective Covid controls in Tallahassee.</p> <p id="4FhBo1">For the most part we haven’t heard much from the FBS football players still in training camp for the upcoming season. But one has spoken out on Twitter, and is very critical of the processes put in place by the <a href="https://www.tomahawknation.com/">Florida State Seminoles</a> while trying to play football in a pandemic.</p>
<p id="uWzU5I">From FSU wide receiver <span>Warren Thompson</span>:</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/FuFqPaXKRL">pic.twitter.com/FuFqPaXKRL</a></p>— UNO.UNO (@Warrenj11__) <a href="https://twitter.com/Warrenj11__/status/1293910729335029763?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a>
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<p id="NO0AZ5"><span>Thompson</span>, recruited out of Tampa talent factory Armwood High School, appeared in only the first five games last season before being injured, amassing six catches for 91 receiving yards in his redshirt freshman campaign.</p>
<p id="iQ7CU0">Thompson’s post will surely generate attention, particularly on the heels of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-gov-ron-de-santis-wants-all-of-college-football-to-play-in-his-state-184704817.html">inviting all of college football to come to the state to play</a> despite being one of the hot spots for the virus. Support for the governor was also sent by new head coach Mike Norvell yesterday on Twitter.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you to <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovRonDeSantis</a> for supporting our student athletes! <a href="https://t.co/XRQ41c3Wmt">pic.twitter.com/XRQ41c3Wmt</a></p>— Mike Norvell (@Coach_Norvell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Norvell/status/1293303693845069833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="z9W4ET">Norvell had been criticized earlier this summer for his <a href="https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/06/04/florida-state-football-players-mike-norvell-clear-air/">misrepresenting his communication with players about the virus</a>. But his support for a politician likely unpopular with his players might begin to backfire. Others have accused FSU of not releasing testing numbers in fear of having that information get out.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This comes on the heels of DJ Matthews tweeting last night that he was Covid positive, quickly deleting the tweet, then posting today “All the lies smh.”<br><br>FSU has refused to share COVID numbers so far.<br><br>This is REALLY problematic. <a href="https://t.co/pLZ9vAv3ig">https://t.co/pLZ9vAv3ig</a></p>— ️♈️ (@ADavidHaleJoint) <a href="https://twitter.com/ADavidHaleJoint/status/1293914950176399362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a>
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<p id="2KZw50">A difficult summer in Tallahassee related to the pandemic just got even more complicated. We’ll see if there’s any repercussions for this downstream, or if other players in the program show support for what he’s saying. </p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/8/13/21366401/warren-thompson-tweet-florida-state-seminoles-football-season-acc-covid-19-coronavirus-liesCollin Sherwin2020-08-11T17:33:51-07:002020-08-11T17:33:51-07:00Tracking rumors as college football figures out the fall season
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<p>College football is close to being canceled for the fall. We’re tracking all the news and rumors from each conference.</p> <p id="RwxCQC">The 2020 college football season is on the precipice of being postponed to the spring, if not canceled outright. The Mid-American Conference shut down its season over the weekend, and the University of Connecticut (Independent) and Old Dominion University (Conference USA) have both shut down football for the fall.</p>
<p id="2oZ7fe">Rumors are flying about the power five conferences, and things are changing almost by the hour. There is an abundance of rumor and speculation and this week could see things finally get sorted out. The speculation has most conferences expected to cancel, or at least postpone their season, but university presidents and conference committees are still meeting to sort out the decisions.</p>
<p id="8Uldc2">We’ll be tracking news for each conference individually, but this article will serve as a clearing house for all the rumors and news around the fall 2020 FBS season.</p>
<h2 id="NVfkHX">August 11</h2>
<p id="5XwUPv"><strong>8:33 p.m.</strong>: One league does look like it’s going forward, and that’s the Big 12 for now.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: The Big 12 Presidents are wrapping up their call. The league is going to continue to pursue playing this season. A schedule, which was already prepared, will be released in the near future. This confirms what our <a href="https://twitter.com/Rivals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rivals</a> friends at <a href="https://twitter.com/SoonerScoop?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SoonerScoop</a> reported.</p>— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1293344487188635652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2020</a>
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<p id="BMmzXv"><strong>6:33 p.m.</strong>: Looks like we might not be done for the evening.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hard to keep up on what's been reported but hearing the American is planning to delay the start of its season and the Big 12 is meeting. Unclear if it will have a definitive decision tonight.</p>— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP/status/1293313539915030529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="x42uKi"><strong>3:05 p.m.</strong>: The Big Ten announced <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2020/8/11/21363810/big-ten-postpones-college-football-season-canceled-2020-spring-covid-19-coronavirus">it is postponing football and all other fall sports</a>. The spring remains an option for resuming play, but the conference is considering all options.</p>
<p id="II91MX"><strong>2:59 p.m.</strong>: The Pac-12 should have a decision this afternoon.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pac-12 CEO Group still in its meeting, per conference source.<br><br>Expect an official announcement on the fall football season around 1p PT. Multiple Pac-12 universities are preparing statements.</p>— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) <a href="https://twitter.com/johncanzanobft/status/1293260855572754432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="CseOxf">August 10</h2>
<p id="VgeR1t">6:31 p.m. Rice has decided to push back their season for now, and the Sun Belt is going to continue to try and play for now.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rice is pushing back its start of the season to Sept. 26</p>— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1292951184773468160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sun Belt Conference plans to follow SEC’s lead & play sports this fall, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a></p>— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1292949769552195584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p id="2ziO5Z">5:43 p.m. The <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2020/8/10/21362588/mountain-west-conference-suspends-2020-football-season-boise-state-hawaii-unlv-new-mexico-fresno-st">Mountain West Conference will suspend play until 2021</a> at least.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">More news: Mountain West cancels fall football season because of COVID player health & safety concerns, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>. League will consider playing in spring. MW & MAC are 1st two FBS leagues opting not to play, bringing total to 26 FBS programs <a href="https://t.co/LPi7iX4tzA">https://t.co/LPi7iX4tzA</a></p>— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1292937363535036417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p id="fLAXXO"><strong>5:19 p.m.</strong> American Conference prepares to move forward for now</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: ACC ADs met today and are "moving forward in an attempt to play," in the words of one staffer. League presidents could be meeting today as well.</p>— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByPatForde/status/1292932034374045697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p id="pGo73D"><strong>1:52 p.m.</strong> Dozens of American Athletic Conference players publicly support #WeWantToPlay movement, which includes “players association” that can bargain like a union.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We want to play and I believe we will Please don’t take this away from us. <a href="https://t.co/X4I32LlnIT">pic.twitter.com/X4I32LlnIT</a></p>— KJ Sails 9⃣‼️ (@KJ2LiVE) <a href="https://twitter.com/KJ2LiVE/status/1292876441533775873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p id="rqjF2s"><strong>12:37 p.m.</strong>: Old Dominion cancels fall sports</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Old Dominion Athletics Announces Cancellation of Fall Sports Season<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ODUSports?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ODUSports</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ODU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ODU</a> <a href="https://t.co/T3blXPvfLf">https://t.co/T3blXPvfLf</a></p>— ODU Athletics (@ODUSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/ODUSports/status/1292856859771240448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p id="woY0Qr"><strong>11:42 a.m.</strong>: Big Ten to cancel season</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: Big Ten cancels football season; no games for Michigan, Michigan State in 2020 <a href="https://t.co/ir96jXjCE1">https://t.co/ir96jXjCE1</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/freep?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@freep</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/reporterdavidj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@reporterdavidj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ByChrisThomas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ByChrisThomas</a></p>— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrissolari/status/1292844587489406977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p id="V8Vrcn"><strong>9:10 a.m.</strong>: Dan Patrick hearing rumors about Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC, ACC, Big 12</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DP was told an hour ago that the Big 10 and Pac 12 will cancel their football seasons tomorrow... The ACC and the Big 12 are on the fence.. And the SEC is trying to get teams to join them for a season. <br><br>Watch live: <a href="https://t.co/sMaeXQkLfl">https://t.co/sMaeXQkLfl</a> <a href="https://t.co/oSUNGMTEqw">pic.twitter.com/oSUNGMTEqw</a></p>— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/dpshow/status/1292810469779136512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="jP7Usr">August 8</h2>
<p id="eaHIzl">MAC cancels fall football season</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge news: Mid-American cancels fall football season because of COVID player health & safety concerns, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>. MAC took a huge financial hit when Power 5’s cut nonconference games & intends to try & play in spring, sources said <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPMACtion?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPMACtion</a> <a href="https://t.co/V8F488nrF0">https://t.co/V8F488nrF0</a></p>— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1292101098518589440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="MYYRJE">August 5</h2>
<p id="Fqb9jW">UConn suspends fall football</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources UConn suspends fb for season</p>— Mark Blaudschun (@blauds) <a href="https://twitter.com/blauds/status/1290976712629657601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2020</a>
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https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/8/10/21362176/college-football-season-2020-rumors-news-cancellation-list-of-teams-conferencesDavid Fucillo2020-08-11T12:10:47-07:002020-08-11T12:10:47-07:00Big Ten postpones football until at least spring
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<img alt="Chase Young of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases down the ballcarrier against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Xc1h5159WjET3uP4WrFKnjxILHA=/0x0:4563x3042/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67189096/1190283646.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The conference of 14 schools is the first Power Five league to give up on playing football this fall.</p> <p id="EuA7NP">The Big Ten conference, that of the largest media deal in the sport has decided that tens of millions of dollars isn’t worth the risk for now, and has suspended the start of the 2020 football season until at least the spring semester.</p>
<p id="B8N7TL">Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren <a href="https://bigten.org/news/2020/8/11/general-big-ten-statement-on-2020-21-fall-season.aspx">had the following to say</a> about the decision.</p>
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<p id="TyzBn9">“The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. “As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall. </p>
<p id="nAugd0">“We know how significant the student-athlete experience can be in shaping the future of the talented young women and men who compete in the Big Ten Conference. Although that knowledge made this a painstaking decision, it did not make it difficult. While I know our decision today will be disappointing in many ways for our thousands of student-athletes and their families, I am heartened and inspired by their resilience, their insightful and discerning thoughts, and their participation through our conversations to this point. Everyone associated with the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions is committed to getting everyone back to competition as soon as it is safe to do so.”</p>
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<p id="VdCZ0x">As a league that emphasizes the academic side of the college experience as much as any other, it’s not a surprise this is the first Power Five league to cancel football in 2020. With all 14 schools at one time members of the <a href="http://aau.org">American Association of Universities</a> (Nebraska was removed in 2011), the scholar in scholar-athlete is something the league values highly.</p>
<p id="kaSbUS">But the media and ticket revenue lost will be in the hundreds of millions, not to mention the economic impact on many college towns across the league that are built around those special Saturdays in the fall. Look for the league to get back on the field as quickly as possible once either a vaccine or some other way to keep student-athletes safe is established.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/8/11/21363810/big-ten-postpones-college-football-season-canceled-2020-spring-covid-19-coronavirusCollin Sherwin