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***Late night edit***
Potential bombshell
Mountain West “aggressively exploring” options to play 8-game fall season, culminating w/Dec. 19 MW title game, sources told @Stadium. This would allow league to be eligible for NY6 bowls. Not all schools might play w/Hawaii, Fresno & Air Force biggest unknowns for full season
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 17, 2020
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Big Ten football to resume weekend of Oct. 24
This isn’t directly Mountain West news, but indirectly...oh man is it. The Big Ten has reversed course and will play football starting in late October. The Mountain West has maintained this changes nothing, but clearly pressure will build as a result of this. State regulations in California, New Mexico, and Hawaii are a major holdup for the conference. Regardless, the pressure is on for the folks in Colorado Springs.
Canzano: Big Ten football is back, Pac-12 Conference must follow
The pressure is already on the Mountain West as a result of the Big Ten’s decision to resume football. The Pac-12 is currently dealing with wildfires and state regulations, just like the Mountain West, but if it too resumes play...it’s about to get spicy around here.
MAC continues to focus on spring football, ‘no plans’ for fall competition
The MAC, the other Group of 5 conference that has postponed play this fall, says the Big Ten’s decision hasn’t altered their path. We’ll see if that remains the case in the coming weeks.
MW czar Craig Thompson highlights rapid tests, local directives as keys to playing
Craig Thompson highlights the obvious. Of note, Stadium’s Brett McMurphy is told it’s unlikely the MW plays this fall. We’ll see, Brett.
The Mountain West’s Statement: words
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) September 16, 2020
Hmm. Care to share, coach?
I’m FIRED UP about our most recent @MountainWest conversations #WeWantToPlay @unlvfootball Players have worked so hard to safely compete. Lets “stamp” the plan and ROLL‼️ #BEaREBEL #WEnotME @UNLVathletics @GovSisolak https://t.co/j75lG0xe2S
— Coach Arroyo (@coacharroyo) September 16, 2020
Pretty much, Bill
So to summarize today’s conference statements…
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) September 16, 2020
Big Ten: WE’RE BACK.
Pac-12: We can’t really breathe out here, you guys.
MWC: We’re trying.
MAC: No.
A slight nudge to the conference from Coach Harsin?
A statement from @CoachHarsin: pic.twitter.com/iEU8jlHPsF
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) September 16, 2020
Meanwhile, Air Force has shiny rings
The result of blood, sweat, & tears. pic.twitter.com/bhDKMv0XgD
— Air Force Football (@AF_Football) September 16, 2020
Excuse me?
Gov. Gavin Newsom just said that there is nothing keeping Pac-12 universities from playing football games in California.
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) September 16, 2020
"Nothing in the state guidelines denies the ability for the Pac-12 to resume,” he said. "That’s been a misrepresentation of the facts."
...and now the Oregon schools are cleared?
Breaking from Gov. Kate Brown's spokesman Charles Boyle: pic.twitter.com/crkLSPf6cJ
— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) September 16, 2020
College basketball has a start date
The 2020-2021 NCAA college basketball season will reportedly begin on November 25th, per @ByPatForde pic.twitter.com/wcFE7Kp3H6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 16, 2020
More cuts at Boise State
Boise State Athletics announces big cost-saving measures, including 8-15 percent salary cuts for those making over $100,000. Others making st least $40,000 will be furloughed anywhere from 4-12 weeks.
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) September 16, 2020
Will save them roughly $1.8 million.
On the Horizon:
- Coming Today: Bowl History: The Hawaii Bowl
- Coming Today: Boise State/Florida State Preview
- Coming Today: MWC Players in the NFL: Week 1
- Coming Friday: MWCConnection Roundtable: Will there be basketball in the Mountain West this year?
- Coming Friday: Friday Night Lights Review S1E3