The Pac-12 Can Play Football In The Spring, Here Is How

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As the days tick on by hopefully the tears that were shed earlier this week have started to dry up. The University of Utah will not be playing in the fall and it is official. You are probably now just feeling numb, I imagine.

Regardless, the Pac-12 announced on Tuesday, August 11 that all 2020 fall sports will be postponed until at least January 1, 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the unknown that still surrounds the virus.

As devastating as yesterday’s news was, we as a staff want to remind all of our players, coaches, and staff that we are still here for you and will continue to do everything we can to help get through this. When it is time to play again, we will be ready. #UtahFootballFamily

— UtesEquipment (@UtesEquipment) August 13, 2020

The gameplan, as of now, is to play college football in the spring of 2021. Which has many people understandably scratching their heads.

“Professional athletes, sure, let’s do it but college kids like no, they do not need to be put through that,” Steve Bartle said on the latest episode of the It’s Utah’s World podcast.

Two football seasons in one calendar year seem extreme and more importantly too much of a strain on the student-athletes bodies.

We have a solution, however. Steve Bartle and Tom Hackett came to an agreement that it is possible to play football in the spring.

College Football In The Spring

The answer?

Pac-12 South opponents only play teams in their division while Pac-12 North teams only play opponents in the Pac-12 North. The winning teams from both divisions would then play in the championship game.

That means that Utah will only play a maximum of six games if they win the South division and make it to the Pac-12 Championship game.

It would essentially be only half of a regular-season played. The strain and stress both physically and mentally would be easier on the athletes and the potential injury risks of playing two seasons in one calendar year go down drastically.

Statement from @UtahCoachWhitt: pic.twitter.com/ibbqbdyAJL

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 11, 2020

Furthermore, the interest from fans would be off the charts. Utah fans would have a chance to finally watch their team play after a long year and a half hiatus.

For this to work, however, the NCAA and NFL would need to agree that pushing back key NFL event dates is required. Senior bowls and the NFL Combine which traditionally occur during January, February and March would need to take place in April or May.

If the NCAA and NFL can agree to push back some dates, college football in the spring is a realistic possibility. A vaccine would certainly help as well.

Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.