:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67136098/usa_today_13761446.0.jpg)
The SEC made the announcement earlier today that the conference would be playing a 10-game, conference only schedule for their football season.
Of course, for Kentucky vs. Louisville, Florida vs. Florida State, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, and South Carolina vs. Clemson, they will not be playing their annual rivalry game this year.
It’s a silver-lining in a season that has been doubted for months now, but we now have completed step one into the 2020 college football season.
The next step is finding a safe way for athletes to play amid the coronavirus.
Here’s what social media had to say regarding the big announcement:
NEWS | @SEC establishes new football start date of September 26 and Conference-only football competition.https://t.co/UhFFOfQ2lK
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) July 30, 2020
BREAKING: #SEC presidents have adopted a plan to play a 10-game, conference-only schedule this fall, sources told @SINow.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 30, 2020
League approved kickoff date is Sept. 26. Particulars on the schedule (the two additional games & locations) are unclear for now.
SEC title game Dec. 19.
Our adjusted schedule puts us in the best possible position to play the 2020 football season. We are excited to focus as a football program and an athletics department on preparing to kick off the season on Sept. 26. https://t.co/vVajaLs8VG
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) July 30, 2020
Let's go BBN. Finally done. Thanks to our administration for the work they did.
— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) July 30, 2020
The new schedule completely changes what is “success” in my view
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) July 30, 2020
If Kentucky wins 6, that’s a good season....if they win 7, it’s a hell of an accomplishment
sooo.. uhh... just to clarify: Georgia Tech will travel to Boston College (1,070 miles) and Syracuse (960 miles), but not Athens (75 miles) now that the SEC has made its announcement.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) July 30, 2020
cool, cool. Yeah, this makes sense.
No Governor's Cup is sad but football is one step closer to happening. https://t.co/OPLTlhTapP
— Hey Kentucky! (@hey_kentucky) July 30, 2020
Big 12 Commissioner @BobBowlsby on what medical professionals have told him about the coronavirus: "They have said this is not a one-year problem. This is an 18- to 24-month problem. Don’t be surprised if it extends into the next school year and sports season.”
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) July 30, 2020
FWIW, I don't think they should pick the next two rotating cross-divisional rivals. It will be controversial but the conference should try to (somewhat) evenly balance the games. UF gets Bama/A&M while UGA gets Ark/MSU -- very unfair.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) July 30, 2020
Most people: "SEC teams only playing other SEC teams. THIS IS THE DREAM!!!"
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) July 30, 2020
Arkansas fans: ⤵️⤵️⤵️
https://t.co/GmBBunL8EG
10 SEC games will be tough for all teams in the league but we will get to see some matchups we don’t see often. Kentucky football has a roster ready to compete in a 10-game SEC schedule. Let’s do this thing!
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) July 30, 2020
I might be reading this totally wrong, but it seems silly to push the start of the SEC football season back by weeks. If you're going to plow ahead and try to play this fall, start ASAP and give yourself some flexibility for when games are inevitably cancelled.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) July 30, 2020
If you're scared of playing 10 SEC games, I suggest you go to church.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) July 30, 2020
Scott Stricklin lobbied hard to keep rival games. But once the decision was made to play 10 league games and start Sept. 26 they ran out of Saturdays to play FSU. He said FSU AD David Coburn "didn't say a whole lot" when he called to deliver the news.
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) July 30, 2020
SEC's decision was explained to me this way.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) July 30, 2020
Expecting a possible spike in cases when students return to campus means the season needs to be delayed to give best chance to start. The delay eliminates room for nonconference games.
Even during this four-year run of bowl games for Kentucky, SEC record is 16-16. Just one winning league record since they went to divisions in 1992.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) July 30, 2020
No more nonconference gimmes or warm-ups. Just 10 games against the SEC. So what's a great year?
I'd say 6-4 would be huge.
Sad to see we’re losing one of the SEC’s most cherished rivalries, Ole Miss vs. Non Conference Power 5 Team You Forgot Ole Miss Scheduled And Yup They Just Beat Ole Miss
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) July 30, 2020
Without Louisville on Kentucky’s schedule, how much more important would a win over Florida and/or Tennessee become?
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisKSR) July 30, 2020
Even if the Cats play “bigger” teams (LSU, Georgia), Gators & Vols feel like THE marquee matchups
Don’t turn me down now
— BO$$MAN (@bossmanfat1) July 30, 2020
A Sea of Blue comes loaded with the best Kentucky Wildcats links, news, analysis, and some other fun stuff, so be sure to go ‘like’ our Facebook page and then go follow us on Twitter. Got a link you think we should check out? Email us at seaofblue@gmail.com.