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The B1G and Pac-12 have already opted out of the 2020 college football season, leaving the ACC, SEC and Big 12 as the three Power 5 conferences left standing. And while the NCAA has left decision-making up to colleges and conferences, it is implementing a new hotline.
On Wednesday, the NCAA announced it was starting a COVID-19 hotline so players, parents and anyone else can report concerns about returning to play:
The NCAA has established a COVID-19 hotline to allow college athletes, parents or others to report potential return-to-sport concerns.
➡️ https://t.co/NnCHPgCfyp pic.twitter.com/DXwG4VbZmR
— NCAA (@NCAA) August 12, 2020
While this may not directly affect the B1G, it could certainly be something to keep an eye on as those remaining three conferences move forward with practice.
And, yes, there are already some concerns regarding this hotline.
Uh dude, half of LSU's student body got Tim Tebow's phone number before a game.
Good luck with this. https://t.co/WrywiwD32e
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) August 12, 2020
This will end well…. https://t.co/nOrJXHCPY5
— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) August 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/NateVon/status/1293631501402279941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1293631501402279941%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saturdaydownsouth.com%2Fsec-football%2Fncaa-establishes-covid-19-hotline-to-allow-athletes-and-others-to-report-concerns%2F
I’m sure all the calls will be very factual and none of them will have any alternative motives. https://t.co/Uid6HgFOxb
— Chase Parham (@ChaseParham) August 12, 2020
We’ll see how this turns out, and whether this hotline is used for the purpose it was intended.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB