Links: SEC might test football players three times a week
Some SEC football links of interest:
SEC plans to test players three times a week. Brooks Kubena of The Advocate reports, “The Southeastern Conference might be planning on testing its players for coronavirus three times a week during the football season, South Carolina Coach Will Muschamp told reporters Wednesday. The fifth-year head coach said the league plans on testing players on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays of game weeks, but SEC spokesman Herb Vincent did not confirm what Muschamp said.”
[SEC football players concerned about what they’re hearing from league]
Mississippi governor wants to see football. Nick Suss of the Clarion-Ledger reports on Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. “I know that I want to see college football in the fall,” Reeves said in a press briefing. “The best way for that to occur is for us all to recognize that wearing a mask — as irritating as it can be, and I promise you I hate it more than anybody watching today — it is critical.”
Gainesville columnist has doubts if football will work. Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun writes, “Remember all of those times that national media members who don’t understand college football would demand that a potential high draft pick clock out of his season to get ready for the pros? Now, it’s not because of injury, but because of a virus. It doesn’t look good for a college football season today. It might look better tomorrow. It might look worse Friday.”
Alabama could owe $3.4 million in canceled games. Brett Hudson of the Tuscaloosa News reports, “UA signed contracts worth $1.3 million for the Georgia State game, $1.75 million for the Kent State game and $500,000 for the UT Martin game, according to documents obtained by The Tuscaloosa News through an open records request.”
Kentucky football stat of the day
SEC returning defensive starters
Vandy - 11
Tex A&M - 9
Georgia - 8
Tennessee - 8
KENTUCKY - 7
Mizzou - 7
Arkansas - 6
Florida - 6
S Carolina - 6
Alabama - 5
Auburn - 5
LSU - 5
Ole Miss - 5
Miss St - 5#bbn #ukfootball
Source @philsteele042 pic.twitter.com/FyUriBQQbw— John Clay (@johnclayiv) August 6, 2020
Georgia AD knows a season isn’t certain. Brandon Sudge of the Columbus Ledger-Enqurier reports, “(Greg) McGarity understands that the direction of a football season could change in a moment’s notice. The SEC’s schedule model allows for some relief financially, but it won’t be a sure thing until an opening kickoff. ‘It’s a date we’re holding. We sure hope we can start then,’ McGarity said. ‘It does put kind of a marker in the sand. We’re just hoping we can certainly do our part and that date does become a reality.’”
Alabama offensive coordinator gets a raise. David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports, “Not everybody is hurting financially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. University of Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, whose first season in Tuscaloosa produced record-setting numbers, has received an $850,000 raise and is now making $2.5 million a year. Sarkisian’s new contract was approved Wednesday in a special meeting called by the UA Board of Trustees.”
Not an SEC football link, but a college football link of interest:
Pac-12 players should take it over leave it. Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes, “Eventually, and that moment draws nearer by the day, college athletic administrators need to make a choice: Are they going to continue backpedaling, or are they going to make a tackle? Are they going to stand up and stand by their product? Is enough ever going to be enough?”
More reading:
Phil Steele is bullish on a college football season and Kentucky
A brief history of Kentucky football coaches
Tennessee’s Phil Fulmer on new SEC football schedule
All-SEC schedule will be ultimate test for Kentucky
