I doubt it. Still no word out of the PAC 12. Don't know how the AP will come up with their top 10 - complicated by the staggered start. The sign-up/tiebreaker process is fatally compromised.
Pac-12 announces football season will begin on Nov. 6 The Pac-12 Conference completed the full return of Power Five college football in the fall on Thursday in announcing it would play a seven-game season beginning on Nov. 6, reversing a previous decision to postpone sports competition until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference's plan includes daily antigen testing and weekly PCR testing, per a release from the league. "The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports remains our guiding light and number one priority," stated Pac-12 CEO group chair and University of Oregon president Michael Schill in the release announcing the return of football and plans for other sports. "Our CEO Group has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today's decision, including extensive consultation with stakeholders on the evolving information and data related to health and safety." The announcement could help stop the flow on what has been a steady stream of top players in the league to opt out to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Oregon OT Penei Sewell, Oregon DB Thomas Graham, Oregon DB Deommodore Lenoir, USC OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Stanford OT Walker Little, Cal DB Camryn Bynum, USC DL Jay Tufele and Washington edge rusher Joe Tryon have announced opt outs. Opt-out players can attempt to opt back into the college season, although that proposition would require NCAA reinstatement for those that already have entered into an agreement with or accepted benefits from an agent. NCAA bylaw 12.3.1 rules players ineligible whether their agreement to be represented by an agent is oral or written, and bylaw 12.3.1.4 prohibits receiving benefits (gifts, cash, loans, etc.) from a prospective agent. Playing a fall schedule is a crucial consideration for draft prospects who otherwise faced potential scheduling conflicts with the NFL Scouting Combine, which typically begins in late February, and the prospect of being inadequately trained for either the combine or pro day events, most of which are held in March. The Pac-12's move comes eight days after the Big Ten Conference did the same in bringing back fall football starting Oct. 23-24. The two leagues are just six weeks removed from a decision to shut down fall sports, while the other three Power Five conferences (SEC, ACC, Big 12) have remained steadfast to play in the fall, but with adjusted schedules. The ACC and Big 12 seasons are underway, while the SEC will begin play this weekend. Following shortly after the Pac-12's announcement, the Mountain West Conference announced it would return to the field, as well, with games resuming Oct. 24 as part of an eight-game schedule. The conference title game will take place Dec. 19. NFL.com
PAC-12 will play... scedule was released yesterday. By November 7th, even the MAC will pick up action. Shortened season, but all the majors are a go.
Nebraska just tied up the Buckeyes at 14 in the 2nd quarter. Good game as many picked OSU to run all over the Huskers.
Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle expected to miss rest of season with right ankle injury College football likely lost arguably its most electrifying offensive player for the season on Saturday, and potentially for his college career, when Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle injured his right ankle in Alabama's 48-17 win over rival Tennessee. Waddle was injured on the opening kickoff when he was tackled from behind by Volunteers LB Kenneth George, and got his right foot caught between George's body and the turf. "He's got a very similar to what Kenyan Drake had (at Alabama in 2014), the high ankle sprain but also a fracture," Alabama coach Nick Saban said following the victory. "They'll probably have to do surgery on him. We'll fly him back privately with the doctors and take him right to Birmingham and see what we have to do right away." A junior, Waddle was in the midst of his best season as a receiver, having caught 25 passes for 557 yards and four touchdowns in only four games prior to Saturday. Entering the game, his 22.3 yards per catch average led the nation among receivers with 16 or more receptions. If Waddle chooses to file for early draft eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL Draft, he is considered a strong candidate for first-round selection. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Waddle one of the best run-after-catch prospects he has ever evaluated, noted his speed provides him with "massive separation" on deeper routes, and compared him to former Pro Bowler Santana Moss. Waddle (5-foot-10, 182 pounds, per school measurements) is also an explosive return specialist. As a sophomore in 2019, he averaged 35 yards on five returns. He combines blazing speed with quickness in the open field that made him an easy target for former UA QB Tua Tagovailoa and current QB Mac Jones. Teammates considered him as fast as Henry Ruggs III when the two were Alabama teammates, and Ruggs clocked the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.27. NFL.com
Wisconsin-Nebraska game canceled because of COVID-19 outbreak The Big Ten first scheduled its season, then canceled its season, then re-scheduled its season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week the Big Ten finally started its season, and this week a Big Ten game has to be canceled because of an outbreak. Wisconsin has announced that its football program is shutting down for at least one week because of a COVID-19 outbreak that has seen six players and six staffers test positive. Among those testing positive are starting quarterback Graham Mertz and head coach Paul Chryst. The eight-game Big Ten season has no bye weeks, so the Wisconsin-Nebraska game will apparently need to be canceled, and not just postponed. Although most major programs are playing, the college football season has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are few signs that college football (or America) is trending in the right direction. NBC
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence does indeed have COVID-19. Coach Dabo Swinney confirmed the diagnosis on Thursday night. “Trevor has authorized us this evening to announce that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now in isolation,” Swinney said in a statement. “He is doing well with mild symptoms but will not be available for this week’s game against Boston College. While we certainly will miss Trevor, this is an opportunity for other guys to step up and we’re excited about competing against a very good BC team on Saturday. Go Tigers.” The “Go Tigers” seems a little odd, given the context. Regardless, Lawrence isn’t available this week and it remains to be seen if he’ll face Notre Dame next weekend. Go Irish. NBC
