2020 steamrolls on: Our pride and joy feels COVID’s wrath
COVID has wreaked havoc on the SEC this week. The latest we know with some color.
By: The Waco Kid & Bossman Slim
Photo: Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
We all knew it was going to be a different season for coaches, players, and fans. Since April, this virus has impacted our country in ways no one thought imaginable in January. March Madness was cancelled. Restaurants, bars and businesses across the country have been closed or partially closed for months on end. The NBA had to go into a bubble to complete their season, and the MLB and NFL had to modify their schedules, fan experiences, and protocols to keep some semblance of a season going.
College football has not been immune to the effect of the virus. We’ve covered many of the issues right here on B&S. Programs have had to deal with shortened offseasons and our friends in the weaker conferences, the Big 10 and the Pac-12 cancelled their seasons, then whiplashed back on their decision once they realized they were going to be the class clowns of college football. And not the funny class clown, the actual clown.
The Big 10 reporting for duty.
The early part of the season saw a few cancellations, like the entirety of Houston’s first few games, which we covered in the newsletter. But the sport had avoided major issues - until this week. Now the virus seems to have shot out of a cannon like a bat out of hell - actually, China. It’s infecting players and coaches in the SEC faster than the Monstars infected the NBA stars in Space Jam.
Live look at the SEC. It remains to be seen if symptoms of the virus include loss of football IQ.
The week started with the first postponement of an SEC game due to the virus. The Vanderbilt-Mizzou game was rescheduled for December 12th after Vanderbilt determined they would not have enough scholarship athletes to fill the 53 man roster. As discussed in the newsletter this morning (you can sign up here), the University of Florida reported multiple positive test results on Monday after a top 25 matchup on Saturday with Texas A&M. Positive results flooded in throughout the week, and as of today totaled 21 players and 2 coaches. Due to these results the highly anticipated East vs West rivalry game between Florida and LSU has been postponed to a later date. Texas A&M has thus far avoided any positive tests, by some act of divine intervention. But they aren’t out of the woods yet. With any positive tests in the next few days, their game against Mississippi State could be in jeopardy.
And then there’s the big one: this afternoon news broke that Nick Saban and Alabama AD Greg Byrne both tested positive for the virus. Both immediately left the facilities. Saban released a statement earlier today saying that he was not experiencing any symptoms and had already taken another test to confirm his positive test results. We should expect to hear back about those results by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Saban seemed like his normal overly joyful self while being questioned, via video chat, on ESPN.
In fact, according to his Saban’s daughter, he “coached” practice via zoom call today and should be involved in the team’s day to day activities leading up to the Tide’s game this weekend.
#2 Alabama is set to host #3 Georgia in Tuscaloosa Saturday night. That game is obviously in limbo. While Alabama fans breathed one sigh of relief that Nick Saban isn’t experiencing symptoms, they collectively held their breath for another reason: would much maligned Matt Patricia wannabe and Bama defensive coordinator Pete Golding be taking over head coaching duties while the GOAT is sidelined at home?
Breathe easy Tide fans. For now, offensive coordinator and recent teetotaler Steve Sarkisian will serve as interim head coach for this weekend’s big game, because who in their right mind would allow dime store Matt Patricia to be in charge of any game plan? We hope to see Saban back out there as soon as possible, but no matter who is in charge, Georgia will be a formidable opponent come Saturday (please, please happen on Saturday).
Food for thought.
Hopefully the SEC can keep outbreaks contained and continue on with the season. But let’s maybe hold off on packing The Swamp or Neyland. The MLB was able to make its season happen despite early turbulence. The NFL is having issues, same as college ball. But there is a model and a path forward set by the MLB. We wish the best to all teams in this uncertain environment, and trust Greg Sankey and the schools to make smart, sound decisions, unlike the Big 10.
We wish for a speedy recovery for all those who tested positive. Stay safe out there SEC.