Just days after the Big Ten released its 2020 schedule did it postpone play until winter. So too did the Pac 12 Conference follow suit? Outrage followed from nearly every corner of society. Especially when the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 pressed on with intentions to play. Those wanting.
College football betting action is clinging to that trio.
In an already highly charged political year, the Presidential election factored. States that support President Donald Trump want to play football. Those opposing Trump are more hesitant about playing. Players and coaches have gone public with campaigns to play. Fans, parents, and donors all demanded reversals. However, the Big Ten and Pac 12 remain steadfast.
Further adding to the angst is Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. His son is a football player for Mississippi State of the SEC. Warren gave vague answers about health and safety as to why the Big Ten quit. Yet he is fine with his son playing football in Starkville. Warren has come off as weak, hypocritical, and unprepared.
Could Big Ten and Pac 12 Reverse Calls?
Now player pressure to play on Twitter has been ferocious. Big Dollar donors have threatened universities with a cutoff of funding. And network TV contracts are being broken. Countless hours of content won’t be filled. Parents are outraged about the postponement. Specifically, it makes no sense that classrooms will open yet there is no football. Could the Big Ten and Pac 12 reverse course? It’s not likely.
First, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany retired on New Year’s Day. It is true that Delany was a force of nature. He was the most powerful and accomplished leader in college sports. Consider his creation of the Big Ten Network. This transformed the entire college sports and television landscape. Big Ten presidents were very deferential to Delany. They also resented his influence. Now that Delany is gone and the unproven Warren is commissioner the presidents feel emboldened. To illuminate they don’t fear Warren like they did Delany.
Big Ten presidents like to think of their member institutions as similar to the Ivy League. In like manner, they resent the power of athletics. Especially football which is the bell cow of the Big Ten. The presidents have used COVID-19 to regain control of their schools. And put sports back in their place. To reverse course with a sportsbook season would be to admit they were wrong. Which is why it won’t happen.
Those Who Remain Hold Hopes of Fans and Gamblers
“It just means more” is the SEC motto. As a matter of fact, the SEC has used that phrase in its ads. Now the biggest college football conference has the chance to prove that it’s true. Should the SEC be able to supply college football betting action it will utterly humiliate the rival Big Ten. As a result, the stakes couldn’t be higher. SEC teams are already looking to welcome disgruntled Big Ten players into the fold. Negative recruiting will be used by the schools that are playing against those that don’t.
Will the Almighty Dollar Prevail?
At the beginning of this crisis was the belief that the games would go on. Apparently, the threat of lawsuits trumped potential TV money. Overall, the SEC, Big 12, and ACC have a huge opportunity to capitalize. As well as the potential to crash college football permanently.