College football schedule tracker: COVID-19 related news, updates

The ACC released their full week-by-week schedule for the 2020-2021 college football season, Thursday morning. Last week, the conference announced that each team will play 10 in-conference games and will allow for one out-of-conference game for the 2020-2021 season. They have also temporarily allowed Notre Dame to join the conference and eliminated the two-division system just for this season. 

Here are some highlights of the week-by-week schedule:

• The first game is set for Thursday, Sept. 10 — if public health guidance allows — when Miami hosts UAB. That weekend is opening weekend for the conference as every team will play that Saturday except for Virginia as they host Virginia Military Institute (VMI) on Friday, Sept. 11. 
• Each team has two open bye-weeks to allow for maximum schedule flexibility in case of COVID-19 outbreaks.
• The ACC Championship is set for either Dec. 12 or 19 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. 
• The 2020 CFP runner-up Clemson will visit Notre Dame on Nov. 7 in what could be an ACC Championship game preview. 

The wait is over.

More info » https://t.co/yJUXpEhokA pic.twitter.com/W3LJACMP8r

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) August 6, 2020

We've been tracking official sources to follow the latest in coronavirus-related college sports news. Here’s what happened on Wednesday, August 5.

• The Big Ten announced Wednesday morning their full slate of games for the 2020-2021 college football season — a 10-game, conference-only schedule.
• The NCAA Board of Directors met Tuesday and Wednesday, ruling Wednesday morning that each division would determine its ability to conduct fall championships. 
  • Shortly after, the NCAA Division III President’s Council announced the cancelation of DIII fall championships in 2020.
  • The Division I Board of Directors set an August 21 deadline for determining the status of 2020 DI fall championships.
  • On Wednesday afternoon, the NCAA Division II President’s Council canceled its seven fall championships for the 2020-21 season.

College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock announced on Wednesday that the CFP selection committee will release its final rankings on Dec. 20, rather than the originally scheduled date of Dec. 6. The committee made the change after conference championship games were scheduled for Dec. 12, Dec. 18 or Dec. 19.

"The committee's final meeting of the season will be December 18-19-20 in Grapevine, Texas," according to the news release. "The CFP will announce the full schedule of this fall's selection committee meetings at a later date."

The top four teams will compete in the Playoff Semifinals on Friday, Jan. 1, in the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The national championship game will be played Monday, Jan. 11, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors met Wednesday and set Friday, Aug. 21 as the deadline for determining whether to hold DI fall championships.

The board recognizes that "changing data trend lines and other factors could require a different decision at a later date," according to the news release.

The DI Board of Governors directed the DI Council to provide recommendations for the DI fall championships. The Council meets the week of Aug. 10-14 and will discuss the requirements outlined by the NCAA Board of Governors.

On Wednesday, the NCAA Division III Presidents Council announced that championships in DIII fall sports have been canceled for the 2020-21 school year.

“Looking at the health and safety challenges we face this fall during this unprecedented time, we had to make this tough decision to cancel championships for fall sports this academic year in the best interest of our student-athlete and member institutions,” said Tori Murden McClure, chair of the Presidents Council and president at Spalding, in the news release. “Our Championships Committee reviewed the financial and logistical ramifications if Division III fall sports championships were conducted in the spring and found it was logistically untenable and financially prohibitive. Our Management Council reached the same conclusion. Moving forward, we will try to maximize the championships experience for our winter and spring sport student-athletes, who unfortunately were short-changed last academic year.”

The NCAA announced Wednesday, Aug. 5 that its Board of Governors determined each division will determine if it can meet specific health and safety requirements needed to hold fall championships. Each division must make a determination by Aug. 21.

You can read the full release here, but here are some of the highlights:

• The NCAA outlined and clarified guidelines it would enforce and expect for any return-to-sport scenario to protect the student-athlete's interests.
• All member schools must adhere to federal, state and local guidelines related to COVID-19.
• If 50% or more of eligible teams in a particular sport in a division cancel their fall season, there will be no fall NCAA championship in that sport in that division.
• NCAA championships may use reduced bracketing, a reduced number of competitors, predetermined sites and, where appropriate, single sites to limit exposure to COVID-19. 
• If fall sports championships are postponed in any division, a decision to conduct that championship at a later date will be based upon the scientific data available at that time regarding COVID-19, along with other considerations.
• The NCAA will establish a phone number and email to allow college athletes, parents or others to report alleged failures. The Association will notify school and conference administrators, who will be expected to take immediate action.
• All student-athletes must be allowed to opt out of participation due to concerns about contracting COVID-19. If a college athlete chooses to opt out, that individual’s athletics scholarship commitment must be honored by the college or university.
• Each division must determine no later than Aug. 14 the eligibility accommodations that must be made for student-athletes who opt out of participating this fall or for those whose seasons are canceled or cut short due to COVID-19.
• Member schools, in conjunction with existing insurance standards, must cover COVID-19 related medical expenses for student-athletes to prevent out-of-pocket expenses for college athletes and their families.

UConn announced Wednesday that its football program has canceled all competition for the 2020-21 season.

"We engaged and listened to the concerns of our football student-athletes and feel this is the best decision for their health, safety, and well-being," UConn football coach Randy Edsall said in the news release.  "Our team is united in this approach and we will use this time to further player development within the program and gear ourselves to the 2021 season."

The NCAA Board of Governors met Tuesday afternoon to discuss how COVID-19 will affect the 2020-21 NCAA season. Tuesday evening, NCAA president Mark Emmert released the following statement, revealing that an update on fall season plans is expected to be released tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Statement from NCAA President Mark Emmert on Board of Governors’ fall championships discussion: pic.twitter.com/NItg38TBK4

— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) August 5, 2020

Here's what you may have missed elsewhere in coronavirus-related college sports news on Tuesday.

• The first day of preseason football practice for SEC schools will be Aug. 17, according to a news release sent out Tuesday afternoon. From Aug. 7 to Aug. 16, SEC schools are allowed to have up to 14 hours per week of strength and conditioning, meetings and walkthroughs. From Aug. 17 until a school's first game, schools are allowed to have 25 practices with a max of 20 hours per week of practice.
• On Monday night, the Big 12 announced it will play a "9+1" football schedule this fall, where each school will play nine conference games and one non-conference home game. The Big 12 schedule will be finalized in the next few weeks with conference games starting in mid to late-September. Each school's non-conference home game will be played before that. The Big 12 Championship game will be played Dec. 12 or Dec. 19.
• Games involving Big 12 schools – Oklahoma-Army and Texas Tech-UTEP – were officially canceled on Tuesday.
• Wednesday could also mark when the American Athletic Conference and Big Ten provide more details about their fall football schedules.

The first day of preseason football practice for SEC schools will be Aug. 17, according to a news release sent out Tuesday afternoon. "The new SEC calendar provides student-athletes with more days off than required by the NCAA and fewer practices than permitted by current NCAA rules," the release states.

Here's what you need to know:

• From Aug. 7 to Aug. 16, SEC schools are allowed to have up to 14 hours per week of strength and conditioning, meetings and walkthroughs.
• From Aug. 17 until a school's first game, schools are allowed to have 25 practices with a max of 20 hours per week of practice.
• "A five-day acclimatization period is required, with two days in helmets only, two days in shells and the fifth day in full pads," according to the release.
• Student-athletes must have a minimum of two days off each week until the week before the first game.

On Tuesday morning, the Sun Belt announced its football season will begin over Labor Day weekend. "We believe this timetable will allow for the healthy integration of the entire campus community for each Sun Belt member," the news release stated. Here's what else you need to know:

• The Sun Belt's conference schedule will include eight conference games.
• Each school will have the opportunity to play up to four non-conference games, starting in Week 0.
• The Sun Belt Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 5 between the East Division and West Division champions.
• The date of the conference championship game can be changed if necessary.

Good morning. We're tracking official sources to follow the latest in coronavirus-related college sports news. Here's what you need to know this morning, Tuesday, August 4:

• On Monday night, the Big 12 announced it will play a "9+1" football schedule this fall, where each school will play nine conference games and one non-conference home game. The Big 12 schedule will be finalized in the next few weeks with conference games starting in mid to late-September. Each school's non-conference home game will be played before that. The Big 12 Championship game will be played Dec. 12 or Dec. 19.

• The next major COVID-19-related college sports news could come Tuesday afternoon, when the NCAA Board of Governors meets. The group last met July 24 and, in an official statement from NCAA President Mark Emmert, said the NCAA would "continue to thoughtfully and aggressively monitor health conditions around the country." Emmert said, "it is clear that the format of our championships will have to change if they are to be conducted in a safe and fair manner ... We will continue our discussions in August.”

• The Big Ten could announce the matchups of its conference-only football schedule as soon as Tuesday.

The football announcements made by the ACC, SEC and Pac-12 last week headlined the week's fall sports news, but there were also several Division II and Division III scheduling announcements late in the week.

In case you missed it:

• The NCAA's Division II Administrative Committee announced that during the 2020-21 school year, schools can play 50 percent or fewer of the maximum number of games allowed. Division II conferences and schools are allowed to determine alternate playing and practice seasons for winter and spring sports during the 2020-21 school year.
• The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (Division III) announced it will pursue opportunities to play a spring season in football.
• The Landmark Conference (Division III) postponed fall competition and championships through Dec. 31.

Good morning. We're tracking official sources to follow the latest in coronavirus-related college sports news. Here's what you need to know this morning, Monday, August 3:

• The next major COVID-19-related college sports news could come Tuesday, Aug. 4, when the NCAA Board of Governors meets. The group last met July 24 and, in an official statement from NCAA President Mark Emmert, said the NCAA would "continue to thoughtfully and aggressively monitor health conditions around the country." Emmert said, "it is clear that the format of our championships will have to change if they are to be conducted in a safe and fair manner ... We will continue our discussions in August.”  That's expected to happen Tuesday.
• The College Football Playoff selection committee is "evaluating a new timetable for its selection committee meetings, and it will reconsider its protocols for the 2020 season," according to ESPN. CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock told ESPN, "Since there won't be as many non-conference games as normal, certain tools used by the committee, such as head-to-head results and results against common opponents, will have limitations this year. Evaluating strength of schedule will also be different."
• The biggest news late in last week came when the SEC announced Thursday afternoon that it will hold a 10-game conference football schedule this fall, if possible. The first games will be played Saturday, Sept. 26, and each school will have one mid-season open date, as well as Dec. 12 as an open date.
• The ACC announced July 29 that Notre Dame will play a 10-game conference schedule with the ACC during the 2020 season and the Fighting Irish will be eligible for the 2020 ACC Championship Game.
• The Pac-12 announced its 10-game, conference-only schedule on Friday. Each team will play five home and five road games, and games that are unable to be played on their scheduled date can be made up in their bye weeks or in Week 12 (December 12), with the Pac-12 Championship Game schedule for Dec. 18 or 19.

The SEC announced Thursday afternoon that it will hold a 10-game conference schedule this fall.

Here's everything you need to know:

• The first games will be played Saturday, Sept. 26.
• This 10-game plan is an increase from the usual eight conference games for each team.
• Each school will have one mid-season open date, as well as Dec. 12 as an open date.
• The SEC Championship Game will be played Dec. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
• The conference-only schedule will allow the SEC to be more flexible if any adjustments need to be made.

A revised 2020 SEC schedule will be released by the conference at a later date.

"This new plan for a football schedule is consistent with the educational goals of our universities to allow for the safe and orderly return to campus of their student populations and to provide a healthy learning environment during these unique circumstances presented by the COVID-19 virus," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in the announcement. "This new schedule supports the safety measures that are being taken by each of our institutions to ensure the health of our campus communities."

The statement also said the new schedule and start date will help the conference look at health trends and developments, including:

• Trends in public health indicators throughout the SEC's 11-state footprint, including positive cases of COVID-19, hospitalizations and recovery statistics
• State, local and campus heath directives, including restrictions on gatherings, isolation requirements for travelers, and other health and travel restrictions
• Continued development of risk mitigation strategies 
• Continued advancement in COVID-19 testing reliability and availability
• Continued evolution of time-based strategies for resuming activities after positive test results, including contact tracing, isolation and quarantine requirements
• Observation of successes and challenges presented by return to competition in other sports

The NCAA announced Thursday that student-athletes in all sports will be allowed to wear patches on their uniforms for commemorative and memorial purposes, as well as to support social justice issues. Here's all you need to know about the patches:

• The patch on the front, which most sports already allowed, can be a commemorative/memorial patch (names, mascots, nicknames, logos and marks) intended to celebrate or memorialize people, events or other causes.
• The patch can't be bigger than 2¼ square inches and it has to be on the front or sleeve of the uniform. While not all team members are required to wear the patch, they must be identical for those who choose to wear them.
• The second location is on the back of the uniform where the player name is traditionally located and will allow names/words intended to celebrate or memorialize people, events or other causes. The names or words may vary by team member.

Other updates from the NCAA include:

• Expanding the football sideline area from between the 25-yard lines to between the 15-yard lines.
• The pregame coin toss before football games will be limited to two officials and one captain from each team.

Good morning. We're tracking official sources to follow the latest in coronavirus-related college sports news. Here's what you need to know this morning, Thursday, July 30:

• The ACC announced Wednesday afternoon all of its sponsored fall sports will begin competition during the week of Sept. 7-12 if "public health guidance allows."
• The ACC's football teams will also begin the week of Sept. 7-12, with teams playing an 11-game schedule (10 conference games, one non-conference game). The 11 games will be spread out over a period of at least 13 weeks.
• "All non-conference game opponents, selected by the respective school, must be played in the home state of the ACC institution, and all non-conference opponents must meet the medical protocol requirements as agreed upon by the ACC," according to the news release.
• Notre Dame will also play a 10-game ACC conference schedule and will be eligible for the ACC Championship Game (held on either Dec. 12 or 19 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina). The ACC title game will feature the top two teams based on the highest conference-game winning percentage.

The ACC Championship Game will be played on either December 12 or 19, the conference announced Wednesday, July 29. The game will be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Notre Dame will also be eligible for the ACC title game, as it will also play a 10-game conference schedule. The title game will feature the top two teams based upon conference-game winning percentage.

All 15 teams will remain part of the ACC's bowl selection process. If Notre Dame wins the ACC title, the Irish would be eligible for the Orange Bowl if not selected for the College Football Playoff.

The 2020 Football Schedule Model has been announced.

More info: https://t.co/D6iCbHIY1x pic.twitter.com/dfhTqr4YTd

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) July 29, 2020

While the NCAA fall sports scheduling news has slowed on Wednesday, compared to the numerous updates on both Monday and Tuesday, here's a quick round-up of conference announcements from earlier in the week and month, which are worth noting.

Yesterday, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (DIII) postponed fall sports, while the Midwest Conference (DIII) suspended league competition until Dec. 31 on Monday. Earlier in July, the Centennial Conference (DIII) suspended fall sports, Commonwealth Coast Conference (DIII) suspended fall athletic competition, Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (DIII) canceled its fall conference schedule while conference schools can determine which games can be played, Empire 8 (DIII) postponed all fall sports, Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (DIII) suspended the fall athletic season, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced fall sports will be "predominantly conference play" with games beginning on Sept. 19, the NEWMAC (DIII) suspended fall competition, the NESCAC (DIII) canceled fall sports, the Northwest Conference (DIII) postponed fall competition, Old Dominion Athletic Conference (DIII) postponed competition and championships for fall and winter sports through Dec. 31, 2020, and the Southern Athletic Association suspended all fall competition.

The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (DIII) previously announced schedule modifications in mid-July.

The New Jersey Athletic Conference (DIII) announced Tuesday that its Presidents Council has suspended all fall sports competition and championships.

"The NJAC will pursue every avenue within the NCAA governance structure to explore the provision of a competitive season for the fall sport student-athletes during the spring 2021 semester and allow them to engage in practice and training opportunities during the fall 2020 semester," according to the news release.

On Tuesday, the USA South Athletic Conference (DIII) its university Presidents voted unanimously to postpone all fall sport competition until the Spring 2021 semester.

"It is the intention of the USA South to formulate plans to play as many contests as feasible for the sports mentioned above within the spring semester and conduct championship competition," the news release said.

The Little East Conference (DIII) announced Tuesday that it has suspended fall competition and championships.

"Each LEC member institution may seek to participate in intercollegiate competition and on-campus training activities if it chooses to do so during the Fall 2020 semester, in accordance with current health and safety guidelines and NCAA Division III rules," according to the news release.

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (DIII) announced Tuesday that it has canceled its football fall athletic competitions and championship.

"Institutions will retain the autonomy to establish practice opportunities within the limitations stipulated by the NCAA throughout the 2020-21 academic year," according to a news release.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has postponed the football season, according to a league release on July 20.

The SWAC, which is part of the FCS, has begun planning on putting together a schedule for fall sports to compete during the 2021 spring semester. For football, teams could play a seven-game schedule that begins with an eight-week training period in January 2021. Teams will play six conference game (four divisional, two non-divisional), with the option of having one non-conference game.

"The continued increase of COVID-19 cases across many portions of the league’s geographic footprint and Southern regions of the country played a significant role in the council’s decision, along with data that suggests African-American communities have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," the statement said.

"The SWAC shares in the disappointment that will undoubtedly be felt by student-athletes, fans, and supporters impacted by the postponement of fall sports competition. The league will continue to review appropriate measures to ensure the health, safety and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, administrators and the local community which continues to be the primary responsibility of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and its member institutions."

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has suspended all fall sports, per a July 16 announcement.

The conference has not made a decision on if fall sports will be moved to the spring semester.

"The Council of Presidents and Chancellors took this action out of a concern for the safety as well as the physical and mental health of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, support staff, faculty and fans," The MEAC state in the statement. "The rapid escalation of COVID-19 cases along the eastern seaboard heavily influenced the council’s decision as the data suggests that the African American and other minority communities are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The MEAC is committed to ensuring that the correct measures are in place to reduce exposure to the virus."
 

The Patriot League, which competes in the FCS, will not have fall sports, the conference announced on July 13.

However, the Patriot League's statement said it is looking into possibly playing fall sports in the second semester.

"The League is committed to exploring creative approaches and alternatives to providing future competitive experiences to our fall sport student-athletes, including the possibility of conducting fall sport competition and championships in the second semester," the statement said.

📢Patriot League Announces Decisions Surrounding Fall Sport Season

📰 https://t.co/StyGa56W9t pic.twitter.com/FUXyhPJsTb

— Patriot League (@PatriotLeague) July 13, 2020

The Big Ten announced on July 9 that it will move to a conference-only schedule if it is able to hold fall sports. The complete announcement can be read here.

"This decision was made following many thoughtful conversations over several months between the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, Directors of Athletics, Conference Office staff, and medical experts including the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee," the statement said.

The decision to limit games to within the conference allows for more flexibility to adjust throughout the season and in real-time as things change during the pandemic.

Big Ten Statement on 2020-21 Fall Season:https://t.co/KLjc4mA47h

— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) July 9, 2020

The Ivy League will not play football in the fall semester, as announced in a statement on July 8.

"With the safety and well-being of students as their highest priority, Ivy League institutions are implementing campus-wide policies including restrictions on student and staff travel, requirements for social distancing, limits on group gatherings, and regulations for visitors to campus," the statement said. "As athletics is expected to operate consistent with campus policies, it will not be possible for Ivy League teams to participate in intercollegiate athletics competition prior to the end of the fall semester."

The possibility of having fall sports, including football, in the spring will be made later.

Consistent with campus health & safety policies across the League, The Ivy League Presidents outline phased-in approach to intercollegiate athletics activity, including no competition prior to the end of the fall semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

📰» https://t.co/7iwQGnECsT pic.twitter.com/DYUFoFshA4

— The Ivy League (@IvyLeague) July 8, 2020