Rashod Bateman sounds off on spring college football season

[BleedGopher]

per Matt:

At the beginning of August, star Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman opted out of the 2020 college football season. Bateman was set to enter his junior season at Minnesota and is a potential first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft.

One of the Big Ten's top playmakers last fall, Bateman has recorded 1,923 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns in his first two seasons. Last year, Bateman hauled in 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns.

During Tuesday’s edition of ESPN’s SportsCenter, Bateman joined the program and was asked about a potential spring season followed by a regular fall season in 2021. The wide receiver was not a fan of the idea.

“I definitely think that’s not okay,” Bateman said. “We can already see all of the injuries that go on through a regular season, let alone playing football twice in one calendar year and the wear and tear that football does on your body, I just think that’s definitely not smart. That’s not keeping the players safe.”

Rashod Bateman sounds off on spring college football season

...

247sports.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[MplsGopher]

I respect his opinion. I’m certain players will be allowed to opt out of the spring football season this year and no risk their scholarships.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Just for injuries:

Is there something to think that in two years playing two seasons of games is different than in two years ... playing two seasons of games?

Is the separation of time between the two seasons really a factor in injuries?

 

[WriterGoph]

This is definitely going to be a prominent debate in regards to having a spring season.

It seems like if they do a shortened spring season starting in January and ending in March and potentially look at delaying the start of the 2021 fall season by a month, you're looking at 6 months off between games. That seems reasonable, given the circumstances.

Although, as I type that, I realize that delaying the start of the 2021 season could jeopardize our season-opener with Ohio State and the Gophers coming to Colorado to play the Buffs in Boulder (a game that has been on my and my friends'/family's calendar for a few years now). So in the end, if we can't have a spring season to make sure our 2021 schedule stays intact, I would be okay with that.

 

[MennoSota]

Ironic that northern schools choose to play football from January thru March while southern schools choose fall.
What kid wants to play football in -5 to 25 degree temps where the field is frozen solid? Is that really in the best interest of the athlete?

 

[Urbandale]

Ironic that northern schools choose to play football from January thru March while southern schools choose fall.
What kid wants to play football in -5 to 25 degree temps where the field is frozen solid? Is that really in the best interest of the athlete?

The plan, as far as I understand it, is to play games in regional domes - Minneapolis, Cedar Falls, Indianapolis, Detroit, perhaps Syracuse (heck, maybe even Fargo). So temperatures and field conditions wouldn't be an issue.

And I think everyone needs to get away from referring to it as Spring Football. That spring football model has gone by the wayside. The planning right now, again as I understand it, is for Winter Football - practices in December and then games January through the first part of March. Done before spring begins.

 

[MplsGopher]

The plan, as far as I understand it, is to play games in regional domes - Minneapolis, Cedar Falls, Indianapolis, Detroit, perhaps Syracuse (heck, maybe even Fargo). So temperatures and field conditions wouldn't be an issue.

And I think everyone needs to get away from referring to it as Spring Football. That spring football model has gone by the wayside. The planning right now, again as I understand it, is for Winter Football - practices in December and then games January through the first part of March. Done before spring begins.

Nothing is public. It’s speculation from information-starved outlets, trying to conjure up something to report and put out for people to click on.

The internet always wants absolute transparency as of yesterday. The world doesn’t work that way, and never has.

The plan will be made public in due time.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

The plan, as far as I understand it, is to play games in regional domes - Minneapolis, Cedar Falls, Indianapolis, Detroit, perhaps Syracuse (heck, maybe even Fargo). So temperatures and field conditions wouldn't be an issue.

And I think everyone needs to get away from referring to it as Spring Football. That spring football model has gone by the wayside. The planning right now, again as I understand it, is for Winter Football - practices in December and then games January through the first part of March. Done before spring begins.

I do believe by saying "Spring" it makes people somehow feel better about it apparently being infinitely safer than games a month or two earlier.

From former players I've heard comment on this, it's almost universal that they think it's a stupid idea. Joel Klatt, former QB at Colorado, said even with the red jersey on in practice he would have probably had every rib broken playing two seasons in 8-9 months. But hey, "player safety"...

 

[Urbandale]

I do believe by saying "Spring" it makes people somehow feel better about it apparently being infinitely safer than games a month or two earlier.

From former players I've heard comment on this, it's almost universal that they think it's a stupid idea. Joel Klatt, former QB at Colorado, said even with the red jersey on in practice he would have probably had every rib broken playing two seasons in 8-9 months. But hey, "player safety"...

Under the Winter Football scenario, the season would end only two months after it would normally end. And there would be limited or perhaps no spring football practice. Would the wear and tear on the body, then, be that much different? I would certainly argue no.

And I like Joel Klatt. He's smart and an insightful commentator. But that remark, if accurate, is dumb. Rib hits aren't cumulative.

 

[MplsGopher]

I do believe by saying "Spring" it makes people somehow feel better about it apparently being infinitely safer than games a month or two earlier.

From former players I've heard comment on this, it's almost universal that they think it's a stupid idea. Joel Klatt, former QB at Colorado, said even with the red jersey on in practice he would have probably had every rib broken playing two seasons in 8-9 months. But hey, "player safety"...

completely reasonable, non-extremist take.

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

From former players I've heard comment on this, it's almost universal that they think it's a stupid idea. Joel Klatt, former QB at Colorado, said even with the red jersey on in practice he would have probably had every rib broken playing two seasons in 8-9 months. But hey, "player safety"...

No one is talking about playing "two seasons in 8-9 months." Instead, the idea would be something like 6-7 games in the January-April 2021 time frame and then maybe 8-9 next fall, probably with a later start date than normal. So that would be 14-16 games over 12 months vs. 24-26 games over 16 months as is typical now. There are certainly health related concerns to such a schedule, but those could largely be addressed by reducing practice time, increasing time off, etc. Lots of logistical problems with spring (or winter) football, but the number of games could be addressed pretty easily.

 

[WriterGoph]

The plan, as far as I understand it, is to play games in regional domes - Minneapolis, Cedar Falls, Indianapolis, Detroit, perhaps Syracuse (heck, maybe even Fargo). So temperatures and field conditions wouldn't be an issue.

And I think everyone needs to get away from referring to it as Spring Football. That spring football model has gone by the wayside. The planning right now, again as I understand it, is for Winter Football - practices in December and then games January through the first part of March. Done before spring begins.

Agree for sure. There is no way the Big Ten can/will play outdoor football in January and February. Besides, if there are no (or a small amount of) fans, they can definitely use smaller domes like UNI or NDSU's.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

There is no way the Big Ten can/will play outdoor football in January and February.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

No one is talking about playing "two seasons in 8-9 months." Instead, the idea would be something like 6-7 games in the January-April 2021 time frame and then maybe 8-9 next fall, probably with a later start date than normal. So that would be 14-16 games over 12 months vs. 24-26 games over 16 months as is typical now. There are certainly health related concerns to such a schedule, but those could largely be addressed by reducing practice time, increasing time off, etc. Lots of logistical problems with spring (or winter) football, but the number of games could be addressed pretty easily.

I support the idea of spring football but there are certainly injury issues. I do not think decreasing practice time will have much of an impact. Football practices are not what they were in the 90's (they are already drastically reducing wear and tear).

The timing of the injuries would be an issue. It's really difficult to have the smaller type of offseason surgeries in May for a September start. Think of the amount of people who sit out spring ball because of minor surgeries.

That said, they just neeed to be as creative as possible. It's obviously not ideal for anyone.

 

[MGGopher]

No one is talking about playing "two seasons in 8-9 months." Instead, the idea would be something like 6-7 games in the January-April 2021 time frame and then maybe 8-9 next fall, probably with a later start date than normal. So that would be 14-16 games over 12 months vs. 24-26 games over 16 months as is typical now. There are certainly health related concerns to such a schedule, but those could largely be addressed by reducing practice time, increasing time off, etc. Lots of logistical problems with spring (or winter) football, but the number of games could be addressed pretty easily.

Yup, this is what I've read and actually seen proposed by Jeff Brohm (and RT by others). Makes sense to me. The only thing you lose out on is off-season recovery time as noted below. That does stink, but it's no different than getting injured a few games into a typical Fall season and missing the rest.

Almost every team already plays 12 games in 4 months. Over half play 13 in 4.5 months. A handful play 14+. Every team also has a couple weeks of spring practices plus at least two scrimmages and a close to "full go" spring game. That's a lot of physical contact in 8 months (Sept - April). So the idea of playing 15 games in a calendar year (January - January) doesn't seem far-fetched to me at all.

 

[HoustonTXGopher]

I think the only way it works is if the season is really over by Spring. Play each team in your Conference division, which would be six games and the top teams from each division could play for the BIG championship. I think it would need to start in January or early February and be done by the beginning of April. Skip the traditional Spring practice, or at least no contact and that way you could start fall camp in August and play a normal schedule for 2021. It's all just speculation anyway, I doubt that the BIG plays a spring season regardless of what other conferences end up doing.

 

[PMWinSTP]

Interesting. What Brohm proposed and what is rumored from the plannings of the B1G, it would be shortened seasons with limited practice contact, and roughly the same number of average games/practices over the shortened seasons compared to two regular seasons.

My guess is he isn't thinking of it that way.

 

[GoGophersUMN]

Are games significantly tougher on the body than contact practices?

They already have contact practices in the spring. If they were to convert 6-8 practices, including the spring game, to real games, would that increase the risk of injuries?

I stopped playing football well before college so I don't know what it's like but it doesn't seem like it should be too different. Isn't 3 hours of another team hitting you about the same as 3 hours of your own team hitting you?

One way it could be worse is if players are playing but not practicing through injuries, so they'd be playing when they'd be resting. If that's the case, that seems like something that shouldn't be happening at the collegiate level anyway.

 

[forever a gopher]

No one is talking about playing "two seasons in 8-9 months." Instead, the idea would be something like 6-7 games in the January-April 2021 time frame and then maybe 8-9 next fall, probably with a later start date than normal. So that would be 14-16 games over 12 months vs. 24-26 games over 16 months as is typical now. There are certainly health related concerns to such a schedule, but those could largely be addressed by reducing practice time, increasing time off, etc. Lots of logistical problems with spring (or winter) football, but the number of games could be addressed pretty easily.

If it affects the fall football season at all in terms of games played or delaying the start, it would be monumentally stupid. The other conferences will be playing full schedules as they didn’t punt into the spring. So how would it help to put yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to CFP, bowls, etc. for a second straight season? The B1G has already F’d themselves. No need to make it worse than it already is. I really want to see football, but in this scenario, I’ll take a hard “pass”.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

If it affects the fall football season at all in terms of games played or delaying the start, it would be monumentally stupid. The other conferences will be playing full schedules as they didn’t punt into the spring. So how would it help to put yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to CFP, bowls, etc. for a second straight season? The B1G has already F’d themselves. No need to make it worse than it already is. I really want to see football, but in this scenario, I’ll take a hard “pass”.

Agree. Anything that disrupts a normal fall season next year is a huge mistake.

 

[PMWinSTP]

If it affects the fall football season at all in terms of games played or delaying the start, it would be monumentally stupid. The other conferences will be playing full schedules as they didn’t punt into the spring. So how would it help to put yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to CFP, bowls, etc. for a second straight season? The B1G has already F’d themselves. No need to make it worse than it already is. I really want to see football, but in this scenario, I’ll take a hard “pass”.

Hmm...

 

[MplsGopher]

If it affects the fall football season at all in terms of games played or delaying the start, it would be monumentally stupid. The other conferences will be playing full schedules as they didn’t punt into the spring. So how would it help to put yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to CFP, bowls, etc. for a second straight season? The B1G has already F’d themselves. No need to make it worse than it already is. I really want to see football, but in this scenario, I’ll take a hard “pass”.

Yeah we know, you'll sign up to sacrifice the health and safety of young men, so that you can be entertained by a game.

Not like it's your kid.

 

[forever a gopher]

Yeah we know, you'll sign up to sacrifice the health and safety of young men, so that you can be entertained by a game.

Not like it's your kid.

WTF is your deal? Did you even read what I wrote? The spring season is beyond stupid. Just wait until fall of 2021. The “risks” will still be there in winter/spring and why put yourself at a disadvantage in 2021?

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

If it affects the fall football season at all in terms of games played or delaying the start, it would be monumentally stupid. The other conferences will be playing full schedules as they didn’t punt into the spring. So how would it help to put yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to CFP, bowls, etc. for a second straight season? The B1G has already F’d themselves. No need to make it worse than it already is. I really want to see football, but in this scenario, I’ll take a hard “pass”.

Agree. Anything that disrupts a normal fall season next year is a huge mistake.

They desperately need the money as soon as possible. There is no guarantee that 2021 will be "normal." If that was assured, it might be easier for them to diregard the idea of a spring season. As it stands, if they could develop a plan that would allow them to generate some significant portion of the revenue lost this year, and the cost of that was a concession that they would lose some smaller portion of next year's projected revenue, I think that they would be really tempted to move forward on it.

 

[PMWinSTP]

They desperately need the money as soon as possible. There is no guarantee that 2021 will be "normal." If that was assured, it might be easier for them to diregard the idea of a spring season. As it stands, if they could develop a plan that would allow them to generate some significant portion of the revenue lost this year, and the cost of that was a concession that they would lose some smaller portion of next year's projected revenue, I think that they would be really tempted to move forward on it.

Wait...that makes too much sense. There's a handful of posters out here who will poo-poo any potential plan that doesn't fit theirs.

 

[forever a gopher]

They desperately need the money as soon as possible. There is no guarantee that 2021 will be "normal." If that was assured, it might be easier for them to diregard the idea of a spring season. As it stands, if they could develop a plan that would allow them to generate some significant portion of the revenue lost this year, and the cost of that was a concession that they would lose some smaller portion of next year's projected revenue, I think that they would be really tempted to move forward on it.

Ok, so risking health and safety of players in Fall of 2020 is evil and stupid. Risking players health and safety in peak flu season in winter of 2021 is smart and financially prudent. Waiting until fall of 2021 is going to financially cripple schools and also stupid. You honestly can’t make this up.

 

[MplsGopher]

Ok, so risking health and safety of players in Fall of 2020 is evil and stupid. Risking players health and safety in peak flu season in winter of 2021 is smart and financially prudent. Waiting until fall of 2021 is going to financially cripple schools and also stupid. You honestly can’t make this up.

Why not, you're making it up. He said nothing anywhere close to "Waiting until fall of 2021 is going to financially cripple schools and also stupid."

Playing in winter 2021 can't be worse than fall 2020. So it is smart to wait and see what changes.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

They desperately need the money as soon as possible. There is no guarantee that 2021 will be "normal." If that was assured, it might be easier for them to diregard the idea of a spring season. As it stands, if they could develop a plan that would allow them to generate some significant portion of the revenue lost this year, and the cost of that was a concession that they would lose some smaller portion of next year's projected revenue, I think that they would be really tempted to move forward on it.

There is plenty of Science that suggests we should be getting back to normal now, let alone one year from now.

They should be playing in the fall, like the other leagues that are trying to do. They had 5-6 months to come up with that plan, and instead are now creating a plan that only delays things for a few months in order to play indoors in the middle of winter, and disrupt another season on top of it. None of that makes sense, especially if the other leagues play with few issues this fall.

Sports and shortened seasons without fans currently feel like exhibition games. Interest is not as high because of it. Creating two exhibition seasons, rather than taking your losses for this one, and getting it right by next fall would be another catastrophic failure.

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

Ok, so risking health and safety of players in Fall of 2020 is evil and stupid. Risking players health and safety in peak flu season in winter of 2021 is smart and financially prudent. Waiting until fall of 2021 is going to financially cripple schools and also stupid. You honestly can’t make this up.

I'm not advocating for it, nor have I called playing this fall evil or stupid. I am simply explaining why, having decided not to play this fall, they are attracted to the idea of playing in the spring.

There is plenty of Science that suggests we should be getting back to normal now, let alone one year from now.

They should be playing in the fall, like the other leagues that are trying to do. They had 5-6 months to come up with that plan, and instead are now creating a plan that only delays things for a few months in order to play indoors in the middle of winter, and disrupt another season on top of it. None of that makes sense, especially if the other leagues play with few issues this fall.

I'm not weighing in on the political debate of whether they should play or not, but even if the virus magically disappears as has been predicted, there is no assurance that football or life in general will return to normal by next year. The schools are planning for reduced attendance and revenue going forward. Will that prove to be overly cautious? Perhaps, but the schools recognize the possibility that some people won't be able to afford tickets and donations at the same level as they have in the past and some will simply choose not to attend and donate. That might not be much of a concern for Alabama or Ohio State where they can be pretty sure that they can replace any ticket holders they lose, but the reality at Minnesota or Purdue is much different. We are all operating with great uncertainty and, while the scenario you describe could absolutely come to pass and SEC football might go off without a hitch, it's silly to pretend that it's the only potential outcome.

 

[MplsGopher]

Well, GWG lives for promoting extremist, silly stances as a means of frustrating other posters and thus entertaining himself. So you got him there.