SEC releases COVID policy for canceling or postponing any games
GAINESVILLE — With the SEC season set to kick off in one week, the league announced its cancellation policy for games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SEC released parameters Friday for its 14 member institutions to be able to play football games during the reconfigured 10-game conference schedule.
The SEC stated at least 53 scholarship players must be available to participate in a game, with a minimum number of scholarship players required for some positions. The requirements include one quarterback; seven offensive linemen, including one center; and four defensive linemen.
A school unable to meet those requirements will have the option to play a game. If the school declines, Commissioner Greg Sankey would then have to approve whether a game is rescheduled or declared no contest.
If a team determines there is another reason it cannot play a game, the school may request the game be rescheduled by presenting the reasons for changing the game date, including the total number of unavailable players. Sankey would then decide whether to reschedule the game or, if this option is not possible, declare the game no contest.
SEC teams are scheduled to play 10 games during an 11-week window. The season includes an open date Dec. 12, the week prior to the SEC title game, that can be used to make up postponed games, if needed.
Teams throughout the SEC have reported cases of COVID-19 among players and coaches. This past week, UF announced six players tested positive for the virus after reporting just one positive result among players since mid-July.
More than 15 college football games in other leagues have been canceled or postponed since Aug. 26 due to outbreaks of the virus on teams, signaling more disruption is sure to come.