Patchwork decisions throwing wrinkle at schools

There are 130 major college football teams, spread across 41 states and competing in 10 conferences, save for a handful of independents.

The goal is to have all those teams start the upcoming season at the same time and play the same number of games. With each passing day it is becoming apparent the COVID-19 pandemic is going to make that goal difficult to achieve. Despite the best intentions of conference leaders, the possibility exists of college football being played in SEC country before it begins in Pac-12 territory — or something else entirely.

“I can’t say enough about the extent to which they’re working closely together, spending time together, communicating with each other,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said. “And I think that’s the most important thing. It gives us a chance to come up with an overarching policy and an ability to start together.

“Having said that, I think we all recognize that there is a significant chance that that may not be possible.”

The coronavirus is affecting different regions of the country in different ways, prompting a wide range of responses to fight the spread and revive economies.

Some state such as Georgia and Florida have already begun to reopen. Others such as California and Washington are going slower. Where that leaves them all four months from now is hard to predict.

College sports leaders have repeatedly said there can be no sports without campuses being open to students.

The NCAA football oversight committee has agreed on a sixweek plan for teams to prepare to start the season. Teams would ideally be on campus by mid-July for the season to start on time.

Beyond that, the NCAA has little influence on the logistics. The conferences are mostly in charge, with commissioners leading the way.