The countdown for the college football season is officially underway.

With training camps set to open the first week in August, college football programs across the country are anxiously awaiting word on whether they can begin practicing and what adjustments will be made to their schedules. Those decrees will come by July 31.

The decisions will be made by the various conference commissioners, the governors of the states in their footprints and if universities are comfortable with medical protocols rolled out.

Some conferences, like the Big Ten and Pac 12, have said it is safer to play games only between member schools. That, in turn, has left non-conference opponents in limbo about their schedules.

Speaking for the ACC coaches, who have had weekly conference calls for the last two months, Mack Brown said Tuesday, “Everybody wants to play, but nobody wants to play if it is not safe.”

And safety starts and ends with the players, coaches and staff, because whether fans will be allowed in the stands is incidental. If stadiums are open to spectators, those who want to take the risk will come, those who don’t will stay home and watch the games on TV.

The most money, hundreds of millions, to be lost is with the national television contracts, if no games are played at all.

Added expenditures skew the equation even more. Keeping all facilities disinfected, provide single rooms for athletes and test them regularly (at Carolina, it costs between $80 sand $150 per test.)

An undisclosed number of UNC athletes have tested positive after three prior weeks of clean results. Brown says players can sit out and still keep their scholarships. “Kids react differently,” he said, “with some there is depression and anxiety.” He said many want to play because of their potential future in the NFL.

Schedule changes are likely to be the most dramatic news. Will the Heels go to Central Florida and/or play Auburn in Atlanta the first two weeks? How does associated ACC member Notre Dame factor in?

Stay tuned. The countdown is on.

 

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