With Massive Decision in the Forefront, Commissioner Sankey is Left With a Decision

After several NCAA football conferences announced earlier this month that they will only be hosting conference games this year, the remainder of the “Power 5” have been left scrambling to form a plan for the upcoming football season.

Two of the most affected conferences are the SEC and ACC.

Between their conferences, there are at least four rivalry games that take place annually- South Carolina-Clemson, Georgia-Georgia Tech, Florida-Florida State, and Louisville-Kentucky.

Still, Greg Sankey, the SEC Commissioner is steadfast in having a football season that will bring in two things- safety for players and money for small college towns, like Tuscaloosa, that desperately need it.

While it is easy to give up smaller games, such as Alabama’s September 12th matchup against Georgia State, Commissioner Sankey knows that these out-of-conference Power 5 games are important to the SEC.

Just as Ross Dellenger and Pat Forde write in their Sports Illustrated article write, “The SEC’s decision could create the most significant domino effect yet. A variety of athletic leaders are watching the league closely—from small college conferences to even high school associations.”

It blows my mind how this situation has shaped out thus far. After the Big Ten and the Pac-12 conferences announced their conference-only schedules, I was sure that the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 would follow in suit.

It would make the most sense after all. If there are too many voices in the room making different claims about how and when to test players for COVID-19, then by eliminating themselves from the conversation, a conference can lock themselves up and make a standard plan to keep players safe.

With all of that being said; however, I totally have faith in Greg Sankey of the SEC and John Swofford of the ACC to save these valuable matchups between the two conferences. As much animosity that there is between the ACC and SEC, it is imperative to remember that it is merely brotherly hate. The ACC and SEC are partners. We need them, just as much as they need us. 

There is safety in numbers after all. But know this Commissioner Sankey:

This will be the biggest decision in the history of the SEC, so choose well.