COVID-19 has been putting up big numbers rivaling those of the 2019 LSU offense. As the virus refuses to quell, one of the consequences may be no football season. No football season would be a major loss for the SEC in many ways. Now let’s take a look at what it would look like at each SEC school.
Alabama
The thought of no season may cause Nick Saban to spontaneously combust. Saban is closing in 70 years of age, so he could be running out of time to win yet another national championship. Speaking of national championships, the Crimson Tide has now gone two seasons without winning one. The ever impatient Alabama fanbase is probably growing restless.
Without a season, Saban would still be preaching the process. I could see Alabama finding a way to play twelve intrasquad scrimmages. Alabama playing Alabama would be good for the strength of schedule. Hence, your 2020 national champion is the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Arkansas
Arkansas hired Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman as their head coach this offseason. If anyone can stand to skip a football season, it’s the Razorbacks. To put it bluntly, they suck. Arkansas has won one single conference game in the past three seasons.
While the on-field product is lacking, Pittman has made an impact on social media. His twitter videos are electric, if I must say so myself.
It appears this is what he tweets when a recruit commits. Based on the product on the field, he will need at least two recruiting classes to become competitive.
Auburn
The 2019 Auburn football season was one of twists and turns. True freshman Bo Nix took the reigns as starting quarterback and won SEC Freshman of the Year. The Tigers closed the regular season defeating in-state rival Alabama in a 48-45 shootout, but lost to Minnesota in the Outback Bowl.
So what does that mean for Gus Malzahn’s job? Considering the economy in the age of coronavirus, it would appear he is safe. I cannot imagine boosters paying a buyout. However, season or no season, we never know where Malzahn stands.
Florida
Florida is a team looking to make the next step in 2020. Dan Mullen has the Gators on the right track since taking over, winning two New Year’s Six Bowls in his first two seasons. With that momentum, not having a season would be a difficult pill to swallow.
However, maybe the time away from football will allow University of Florida president Kent Fuchs to re-think his ridiculous decision to discontinue the “Gator Bait” chant.
As long as Florida is playing football, I expect their fans to be allowed to say gator bait.
Georgia
Georgia is another team looking to make the next step. The Bulldogs look to become more explosive on offense with the arrival of offensive coordinator Todd Monken and graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman. However, if there is no season, Newman may never play for Georgia. Newman could go in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Thankfully, Kirby Smart has been recruiting his butt off and has another transfer quarterback, JT Daniels, formerly of USC, coming in.
This season Georgia is scheduled to play at Alabama on September 19. This game simply needs to happen. It would be Kirby Smart’s first return to Tuscaloosa as head coach of Georgia. Also making a return would be special teams coordinator Scott Cochran, who was the Alabama strength coach for thirteen seasons.
It would be a real shame if we missed out on this game.
Kentucky
Mark Stoops has done a really good job of making Kentucky football relevant in the past few years. The Wildcats have gone to four straight bowls, winning the last two. However, they are still behind Georgia, Florida, and maybe even Tennessee in the SEC East pecking order.
Would anyone really miss a Kentucky football season? I would say Kash Daniel, but he graduated last year. Therefore I have to say no. Kentucky basketball, however, is another story.
LSU
Obviously LSU wants a chance to defend the 2019 National Championship. However, having a year to reminisce the best season in college football history is not a bad consolation if there is no 2020 season.
I have no doubt Ed Orgeron will make great use of his time if there is no season. He has already done his part in making public service announcements for coronavirus.
Orgeron has also been spotted jogging.
And that is not the only form of exercise he is partaking in.
If you thought LSU was scary in 2019, just wait. Season or no season, the message is the same.
Mississippi State
Even without a season, Mississippi State will find a way to make sure that the Egg Bowl is played. Mississippi State and Ole Miss is one of the greatest rivalries in college football. This year has added intrigue with the arrivals of Mike Leach and Lane Kiffin at Mississippi State and Ole Miss, respectfully.
If their meeting last month gives any indication, we are in for a real treat.
Mississippi State fans will tell you their season was a success if they win the Egg Bowl. What if the Egg Bowl was the entire season? Since it is an intrastate matchup, there is no reason this game should not happen.
Missouri
Yes, Missouri is in the SEC. The Tigers are another team with a new coach. Eli Drinkwitz takes over for Barry Odom. Drinkwitz found success at Appalachian State, leading the Mountaineers to a 12-1 record and Sun Belt championship in his one season there. However, after seeing this reaction video, I am not sure Drinkwitz is ready for big-time SEC football.
Like Pittman at Arkansas, he could use an extended acclimation period.
Ole Miss
Last time Ole Miss was on the football field, they quite literally pissed away the Egg Bowl. In comes Lane Kiffin to restore stability? Kiffin is a brilliant offensive mind, but he is anything but a model for stability.
Ole Miss fans’ claim to fame is never losing the party. You can expect they are more upset about their beloved Grove being shut down than not having a football season. Typically, the losses come inside of Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium, but this year they will come at Ole Miss supermarkets where Dixie cups are sold.
South Carolina
Outside of a win at Georgia, South Carolina’s 2019 season was quite a disaster. The Gamecocks finished the season with a record of 4-8. Head coach Will Muschamp will undoubtedly be on the hot seat in 2020.
Not having a season will not help Muschamp’s job status, but it will not hurt it, either. More importantly, though, it will give him a chance to take part in his civic duties. Back in 2018, Muschamp said he was unaware of Election Day when asked.
There could be no season, therefore, no opponents to prepare for. Maybe we can expect Muschamp and his team to vote in the 2020 presidential election.
Tennessee
Social distancing is one of the measures being taken to combat the coronavirus. One place that makes that very difficult is Neyland Stadium. The capacity is over 100,000 with fans packed in tighter than a defense facing a Les Miles offense. As you probably know, fans most likely will not be in the stands this year.
It appears Tennessee fans are becoming detached from reality with visions of grandeur from their 2020 recruiting class. The Volunteers’ class currently sits fourth nationally according to 247Sports.com.
Another recent occurrence feeding into delusion is coach Gus Duggerton. Duggerton, also known as Coach Duggs, recently brought the Volunteers back to prominence with a national championship on NCAA 2014 for XBox 360.
While winning six games in a row to close out 2019 looks promising, the reality is Tennessee is not in the same class as rivals, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Everyone would miss football, but when it comes to Tennessee, fake success sure beats real disappointment.
Texas A&M
They have to ask Jimbo Fisher to take a pay cut, right?
Vanderbilt
Live look at Vanderbilt brass upon hearing there might not be a football season:
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 