SEC football updates: Here’s the latest news about fall sports on Aug. 19
SEC football teams returned to the practice field in force over the past few days, starting preseason camp roughly six weeks ahead of the Sept. 26 opener.
At the same time, several universities across the country have had to roll back their reopening plans after outbreaks of COVID-19 on campuses, though none of them have been schools in the Southeastern Conference.
Here is the latest news on how the conference and its teams are preparing for the week and season ahead.
D1 Council recommends eligibility freeze
The NCAA’s Division I issued a recommendation Wednesday that all fall sport athletes be allowed to “freeze” their eligibilty this season, regardless of how many games they play in.
The council’s recommendation needs to be approved Division I board of directors, which meets Friday, according to ESPN. If it is implemented, it would expand on the council’s previous recommendations that fall sport athletes get a season of competition back if they participate in 50% or less of their team’s competitions and the season is canceled due to COVID-19.
SEC releases protocols for fans
It’s not a given that every SEC team will be able to host fans this season due to the global pandemic, but for those who will, the SEC released a set of guidelines that will govern stadiums this fall.
Most importantly, facial coverings will be required for everyone in attendance at all times entering, leaving or moving through the stadium, and in the stands if physical distancing is not possible.
In addition, “grab and go” concessions will be encouraged and physical distancing in lines will be required. All tickets will be digitally scanned, as well.
Alabama announced Tuesday it will allow fans this year but limit capacity at Bryant-Denny Stadium to 20%, while Texas A&M said it will limit capacity to 30%. Georgia announced Wednesday it will allow for 20 to 25% capacity, available to students, high-level donors and season ticket owners.
10-game schedule released
The SEC unveiled its revamped 10-game schedule on Monday after switching to a conference-only slate because of the pandemic. Teams already knew who their opponents would be, but Monday put those matchups on the calendar. Some of the highlights:
▪ The annual Alabama-LSU matchup, a key game in the race for the SEC West, will take place Nov. 14, the same weekend as the rescheduled Masters golf tournament
▪ Mike Leach’s debut at Mississippi State will be against defending national champion LSU on Sept. 26.
▪ Georgia, the favorite in the SEC East, visits Alabama on Oct. 17.
▪ The annual Florida-Georgia rivalry game in Jacksonville will be Nov. 7.
▪ The Iron Bowl, the annual Alabama-Auburn matchup, won’t be played on the final weekend of the season as it traditionally is, but will be Nov. 28, the second-to-last week of the regular season.
A complete team-by-team SEC schedule can be found here.
Some Florida players are no-shows
Florida held its first full practice on Monday without some of its top players.
Kadarius Toney, Trevon Grimes and Jacob Copeland and Zachary Carter were no-shows, according to Sports Illustrated and the Tampa Bay Times.
Gators coach Dan Mullen didn’t address which players specifically weren’t there in a Zoom video call with reporters after practice.
“We had a couple guys not practice today,” Mullen said, “but we’ll see how that goes moving forward for us. But, you know, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have guys opt out. I’m going to support them fully.”
Auburn announces COVID-19 testing numbers
Auburn coach Gus Malzhan said Monday that his program had 33 players and one staff member positive for COVID-19 since testing began this summer.
According to Malzhan, the players were tested seven times and staff members five times over the summer beginning June 4. The team had no positive tests last week.
Two Tiger players, linebacker Chandler Wooten and Travion Leonard, have opted out of the season.
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 8:10 AM.
