ACC releases official statement with regards to 2020 schedule decision
A day after the Big Ten announced it would move to conference-only games for the 2020 season, the ACC put out an official statement stating that it expects to have a decision on the matter in late July. This lines up with the SEC’s timeline as well.
It had been previously reported that the ACC would in fact be moving to a conference-only schedule, but that is untrue as of the moment.
“The health and safety of our student-atheltes, coaches and administrators remains the ACC’s top priority,” the statement said. “As we continue to work on the best possible path forward for the return of competition, we will do so in a way that appropriately coincides with our universities’ academic missions. Over the last few months, our conference has prepared numerous scenarios related to the fall athletics season.
The league membership and our medical advisory group will make every effort to be as prepared as possible during these unprecedented times, and we anticipate a decision by our Board of Directors in late July.”
Statement from ACC Commissioner John Swofford ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vTishzIYPA
— The ACC (@theACC) July 10, 2020
While the Big Ten does not have any games scheduled with the SEC for the 2020 season, the ACC has several. Georgia has two games against the conference, as the Bulldogs open the season against Virginia on Sept. 7 and close the season against Georgia Tech on Nov. 28.
Related: 20 thoughts on how Big Ten conference-only schedule does and doesn’t impact Georgia football
Georgia and Georgia Tech have played every season dating back to 1925. And while moving to a conference-only schedule would put the game in jeopardy for both leagues, Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity remains optimistic about the game, and others like it between SEC and ACC rivals, being played.
“It would be great to try to preserve games like that,” McGarity said. “I’m sure Florida feels that way about Florida State, then you have Kentucky and Louisville and Clemson and South Carolina.”
So far, the Big Ten is the only Power Five conference to announce a change to its 2020 schedule, though The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach reports that the Pac-12 is expected to make a similar move in the coming days.
Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reported the SEC athletic directors will have an in-person meeting on Monday in Birmingham, Ala., to discuss the 2020 season.
As of now though, Georgia is set to open the season against Virginia on Sept. 7 in Atlanta. Virginia did announce on Friday that two football players had tested positive for COVID-19 of the 110 it had tested.
More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation
- How Georgia football could get break if SEC goes to 10-game conference-only schedule
- SEC schedule could be redrawn, commissioner Greg Sankey sticking to ‘late July’ timeline
- Georgia football podcast: Lots to like about new UGA LB commit Jamon Dumas-Johnson
- ACC, PAC-12 to reportedly expected to join Big Ten in moving to conference-only schedule
- Georgia football would open at Alabama if SEC follows Big Ten’s expected action
- Big Ten to move to conference-only schedule for 2020 season, SEC athletic director says decision could come by end of July
- Kirby Smart likens Georgia football recruiting to Chick-fil-A
