What social media is saying about Georgia football moving to SEC-only, 10-game schedule

The SEC announced that it would be moving to a conference-only schedule for the 2020 season. It also announced it would be expanding to 10 conference games, up from the usual eight.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey issued a statement on the matter, as well as explained the conference’s decision in greater detail while making an appearance on the Paul Finebaum show.

“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,” Sankey said.

“This new schedule supports the safety measures that are being taken by each of our institutions to ensure the health of our campus communities.”

–@GregSankey on having a CFB Commissioner: “The NCAA works in a different way. We are a group of conferences. We are independent entities. We are in different regions making really informed decisions. The relationships are important, but in that format there will be differences.”

— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) July 30, 2020

Commissioner @GregSankey on the decision to play conference-only games: "We don’t know what the fall is going to look like. Having the ability to manage our own schedule, we believe this gives us the best opportunity to play for our championship.”

— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) July 30, 2020

–@GregSankey on having a CFB Commissioner: “The NCAA works in a different way. We are a group of conferences. We are independent entities. We are in different regions making really informed decisions. The relationships are important, but in that format there will be differences.”

— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) July 30, 2020

The news of the SEC’s decision reverberated throughout the college football landscape, with many weighing in on what the decision means for the sport.

The conference will not play until Sept. 26, giving more time for campuses to get acclimated with students coming back onto campus. Teams will have two bye weeks, with one occurring during a three-week window during the middle of the season, and one on Dec. 12. The SEC championship game will still be played on Dec. 19 in Atlanta., and the conference will still use divisions.

The NCAA has stated it will allow teams to begin practice using their previously scheduled season-openers, though conferences and teams can adjust those start dates.

Folks I spoke to inside the SEC felt like their teams learned a lot from the first month being back together around the facilities. They became more optimistic they had a better handle on things. 2 biggest concerns: return of regular students & potential impact on older staffers.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) July 30, 2020

Excited to be making progress toward competition.

I ask for your continued patience as we set out to tackle the next batch of logistical unknowns.

My statement regarding today's announcement from the SEC:https://t.co/Cf2iqHfbdo

— Phillip Fulmer (@phillipfulmer) July 30, 2020

The NCAA is allowing schools to begin camp according to their previously scheduled season openers.

That means a seven-week preseason for the SEC, unless the conference or schools determine differently (NCAA not expected to).

Normal 20-hour/week rule kicks in once classes start pic.twitter.com/0uhA0kD1fA

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 30, 2020

Right decision for the health & safety of our university communities & everyone involved.

Contrary to reports – other than the 8 previously scheduled SEC games – we do not know our full schedule of opponents just yet – Further details to come when available. https://t.co/Wj7ldTDMdT

— Ross Bjork (@RossBjorkAD) July 30, 2020

Georgia has weighed in on the news, as both athletic director Greg McGarity and President Jere Morehead issued statements on the matter. McGarity also met with reporters on Wednesday to discuss the news in greater detail.

Related: Georgia AD Greg McGarity comments on added opponents, opening practice date questions

“The 10-game SEC schedule provides us the best opportunity to play football as safely as possible in a Covid environment,” Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said. “It’s disappointing the schedule model does not make it possible to play Georgia Tech; however, we look forward to renewing that rivalry in 2021. “

The biggest ramification from the move means that Georgia and Georgia Tech will not be playing. This will be the first time since the 1924 season that the teams have not met. That is what a number of Georgia fans were talking about.

Though the lack of a Georgia Tech game means seniors like Richard LeCounte and Malik Herring will finish with unbeaten records against Georgia Tech.

We're kicking off on September 26!

The @SEC has announced a 10-game, conference-only schedule.

A revised schedule will be announced at a later date. pic.twitter.com/HWvrh7pbvk

— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) July 30, 2020

sooo.. uhh… just to clarify: Georgia Tech will travel to Boston College (1,070 miles) and Syracuse (960 miles), but not Athens (75 miles) now that the SEC has made its announcement.

cool, cool. Yeah, this makes sense.

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) July 30, 2020

When your olive branch gets smacked away.

Clemson – South Carolina: 111 consecutive meetings

Georgia – Georgia Tech: 95 consecutive meetings

Florida – Florida State: 62 consecutive meetings pic.twitter.com/ASB3mrhzJi

— CFB Home (@CFBHome) July 30, 2020

Obviously as a Georgia fan I’m disappointed we don’t play Georgia Tech this year. But I would rather do the right thing for a potential college football season.

— Will (@ThatGuyWill94) July 30, 2020

McGarity hasn't been able to "huddle up" with Georgia Tech athletic director Todd Stansbury on where the teams will play in 2021.

— Brandon Sudge (@brandonsudge) July 30, 2020

Nothing wrong with making them live with 52-7 for another year. Hope they enjoy playing ACC games on streaming internet.

— Brandon Adams (@DawgNationDaily) July 30, 2020

Georgia has won the last three games against Georgia Tech, including a 52-7 victory in 2019. One other off-shoot of the 10-game schedule is that Georgia will still play Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., this season.

The SEC’s announcement also had a number of people talking about the ramifications for the upcoming season, as well as the cancellation of a number of marquee non-conference games.

https://t.co/jnhoHNK4W1 pic.twitter.com/f3ekA9n3IZ

— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) July 30, 2020

Sad to see we’re losing one of the SEC’s most cherished rivalries, Ole Miss vs. Non Conference Power 5 Team You Forgot Ole Miss Scheduled And Yup They Just Beat Ole Miss

— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) July 30, 2020

SEC will play ten game only conference schedule and start on September 26th. I love the idea of 10 SEC games, honestly. https://t.co/zIPH3UeKm1

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 30, 2020

If an SEC team makes it through a 10-game SEC schedule undefeated, I think they should be awarded at least two national championships by season's end.

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) July 30, 2020

Most people: "SEC teams only playing other SEC teams. THIS IS THE DREAM!!!"

Arkansas fans: ⤵️⤵️⤵️

😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/GmBBunL8EG

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) July 30, 2020

Clemson seeing the SEC playing 10 conference games & killing each other while they only have to play ACC games pic.twitter.com/AnjkGusmDJ

— Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) July 30, 2020

Fall weddings. Oh, wait. That’s a different SEC schedule release day thing. https://t.co/PRyFpYDqxW

— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) July 30, 2020

As far as Florida’s two extra conference opponents I would like to suggest playing LSU three times as a solution

— BUM CHILLUPS, NPR CLASS PUNDIT (@edsbs) July 30, 2020

The SEC will announce an official schedule at a later date. The Sept. 26 start date does mean Georgia’s Sept. 19 game against Alabama will need to be re-scheduled as well.

More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation\

• University of Georgia issues official statement on cancellation of Georgia Tech game, 10-game SEC schedule
• SEC opts for 10-game league schedule, pushes back start of season
• DN90: UGA not playing Georgia Tech a big loss for many
• Georgia football podcast: 10-game conference schedule could be disastrous for UGA rival
• BREAKING: 5-star junior QB Gunner Stockton is down to two schools
• College football update: All eyes turn to SEC presidents meeting
• Georgia football could really end up benefitting from possible 10-game SEC slate
• 3 big questions for SEC: What (schedule model), when (season start), who (opposing teams)