monarx
Hall of Famer
Posts: 14,595
Joined: May 2012
Reputation: 280
I Root For: ODU
Location:
|
RE: Was ODU's decision, right or wrong
(09-16-2020 11:02 AM)Gilesfan Wrote: (09-16-2020 10:28 AM)monarx Wrote: (09-16-2020 10:00 AM)Gilesfan Wrote: The reasons we aren't playing football are outlined in an article in the Washington Post that were posted here at least once. I know no one wants to believe what the actual people in charge are saying about the reasons for the shutdown (for some reason), but they were clearly outlined. There is no reason to speculate. Then again, the school was transparent after being contacted by the WaPo and still fans accused them of seeking out the Post to "defend" their decision.
In the current times when college athletics have turned to profit centers instead of the original intention of college athletics, its pretty easy to see why some teams are still playing. ODU made a tough decision. I applaud it and 100% agree with it.
People have the right to have an opposing viewpoint but I hope that their reasoning for being against the shutdown is not "other teams are playing" or "Im missing out on my entertainment." Im hoping that schools are able to contain the virus. Im not sure how much contract tracing is being down or how much of it is being reported. Ed O said that almost his entire team contracted COVID; do we know that it was not spread outside of the confines of the football team?
I think the issue is it seems at this point (and is still subject to change) that ODU over-reacted, made a unilateral decision too early and blew a major opportunity to play some big name teams, and play on a much bigger stage than typically available to CUSA. It just seems so odd that ODU is literally the only eastern FBS school south of NYC to bail out. The entire AAC, CUSA and SunBelt are all playing. And we made such a unilateral decision that we abandoned our conference mates. If ODU is in that much greater danger than UVA, VT, LU, UMD, UNCC, Marshall, Temple, WKU, FAU, FIU etc we have other major issues facing the school than just the virus. I just don't buy that ODU/Hampton Roads is in that much worse shape than Washington, DC, Nashville, Charlotte, Miami, Myrtle Beach etc. And those teams made it work and are reaping the benefits of it.
Your opinion is that they over-reacted.
What opportunity did we have to play big name teams?
We were at a point where we could only practice with less than half of the team at a time. What were the restrictions in Hampton Roads vs. Charlotte, DC, Blacksburg, Lynchburg, etc. vs our restrictions? What restrictions did our conference mates have compared to us?
The benefits that some seem to be implying seem very overstated. This is a half ass season with very little non conference matchups, very little teams at full strength, who knows how many people are watching, etc. In terms of the college football season to me, I am trying to leave my bias out of it bc personally, i haven't cared to watch a game and I'm not sure I will. Its just not the same; no fans, many players opting out, no sense of legitimate competition, teams being woefully underprepared because they haven't been able to practice (according to people discussing Navy, for example).
Wake Forest for one. The schedule would have been in flux, so who knows what other opportunities would arise. Our CUSA brethren got some decent matchups at the last minute. I agree its a half assed season, but thats why its such a great opportunity for G5s. I know we likely would have sucked this season, but for a G5 that is good this year, the sky is the limit. Games on major tv networks in prime viewing time. A chance to catch P5s off balance due to weird practice schedules etc, and if you do well, a chance to crack the top 25. More press in major outlets because there are fewer games too. The Sun Belt put on a clinic last week on how to take advantage of this opportunity. Sadly, CUSA couldn't do the same. ODU didnt even take its chance. What bugs me the most is we aren't even going through a full practice season either. Our squad is literally losing an entire season of not only games, but full contact practice too. Its going to take quite a while to shake off the rust, and overcome that advantage we have given the competition.
|
|