What Bundesliga’s return could mean for college football in 2020

2. Constant testing by college football’s medical staffs

One obvious problem: how much COVID-19 testing can take place of players, coaches and staff personnel? One scenario foresees agreed-upon protocols of a positive test result for the virus resulting in a14-day self-isolation somewhere on campus and extensive contact tracing. Teams and staffs will likely undergo constant testing each week this fall.

Unless, of course, a player thinks it’s funny to go all Rudy Gobert in the face of restrictions. By the way, it’s not funny.

1. Quiet stadiums

It’s difficult to imagine the environs of Bryant-Denny, Jordan-Hare, the Swamp, the Horseshoe or Death Valley in complete silence. But that’s the reality facing college football fans and teams. And don’t even think about simulating crowd noise via the loudspeakers or on the TV broadcast. That’s just weird.

Will fans be allowed to take in the games in luxury suites? Will suite prices still be in effect? Will a limited number of family members be allowed to attend, as college basketball conference tournaments started to enforce before outright cancellation in early March?

One thing is certain: remote device streaming, man caves, and game watch parties will increase in 2020. Full capacity stadiums seem like an extremely remote possibility at this point.