USC opted out of bowl opportunities this season due to COVID-19 concerns and other reasons, the team announced on Saturday.
The 13th-ranked Trojans lost to Oregon in Friday night’s Pac-12 championship match in Los Angeles. USC will get a New Year’s Six-bowl bed if it has beaten Oregon to remain unbeatable. The Trojans finished the season 5-1.
The school said the decision to opt out of the bowl game was made by the USC medical team, players, coach Clay Helton and athletic director Mike Bohn. USC said in a news release that COVID-19 cases had increased under the program, and, along with injuries, the Trojans were approaching the threshold of 53 players required to play the game.
The team played three matches between December 6 and Friday. USC also noted an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Los Angeles area and its out-of-season athletics team had suspended activities until January 4.
The Trojans are the fifth known Pac-12 team to opt out of the bowl season due to COVID-19 and other reasons, joining Stanford, Washington, UCLA and Utah.
“We are an athletic program that is centered on student-athletes; therefore we fully support the decision not to compete in this year’s bowl,” Bohn said in a statement. “The physical and mental health and safety of our student-athletes are paramount, and this season has weighed unimaginably in particular on our players. This will allow them to be with their families they have not seen for a long time and start preparing for the spring semester academics. they.
“We are very grateful for the way our student athletes, coaches and staff handled this unprecedented season and overcame so many difficulties.”
USC will not be playing in a bowl game for the second time in three years.
“We all share a desire to stay healthy and be with loved ones during the holidays and I fully support this collective decision,” Helton said in a statement. “I thank our players for their extraordinary efforts.
“We are all disappointed with how our season ended, but I am very proud of our players and it is an honor to be their coach.”
Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State each won their respective conference championships on Saturday, adding more drama to the University Football Playoff debates.
Which team will complete the top four? How will another bowl fight vibrate? ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach are considering their final projections for the 2020 season.
College Football Playoffs
College Football Playoff National Championship brought to you by AT&T Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida January 11, ESPN Bonagura: Alabama vs. Clemson Schlabach: Alabama vs. Clemson
College Football Playoff semifinals at the Rose Bowl AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas (moved) January 1, ESPN Bonagura: Ohio State vs. Clemson Schlabach: Ohio State vs. Clemson
College Football Playoff semifinals at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans January 1, ESPN Bonagura: Alabama vs. Notre Dame Schlabach: Alabama vs. Notre Dame
Schedule bowls
December 21st
Myrtle Beach Bowl Set fight: North Texas vs. Appalachian State Brooks Stadium (Conway, South Carolina) 2:30 pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App
December 22nd
Idaho’s Famous Potato Bowl Set fight: Nevada vs. Tulane Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho) 3:30 pm on ESPN and the ESPN App
Boca Raton bowl Set fight: UCF vs. BYU FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida) 7pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App
23 December
R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Set fight: Louisiana Tech vs. South Georgia Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans) 3:30 pm on ESPN and the ESPN App
Montgomery Bowl Set fight: Memphis vs. FAU Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama) 7pm on ESPN or ESPN2 and the ESPN App
December 24th
New Mexico Bowl Set fight: Hawai’i vs. Houston TBD (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 3:30 pm on ESPN and the ESPN App
December 25th
Camellia Bowl Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama) 2:30 pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Ball State vs. Coastal Carolina Schlabach: Ball State vs. Troy
December 26th
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida) Afternoon on ABC and the ESPN App Bonagura: Liberty vs. South Carolina Schlabach: Carolina Coast vs. South Carolina
Cure Bowl
World Camping Stadium (Orlando, Florida) Afternoon on ESPN and ESPN App Bonagura: Marshall vs. Louisiana Schlabach: Marshall vs. Louisiana
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Gerald J.Ford Stadium (Dallas) 3:30 pm on ABC and ESPN App Bonagura: Boise State vs. UTSA Schlabach: Boise State vs. UTSA
LendingTree Bowl Set fight: Western Kentucky vs. State of Georgia Ladd-Peebles Stadium (Mobile, Alabama) 3:30 pm on ESPN and the ESPN App
Radiance Technologies’ Bowl of Freedom Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana) 7pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Army vs. Nebraska Schlabach: Army vs. Nebraska
Guaranteed Price Bowls Chase Field (Phoenix) 10:15 am on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Minnesota vs. Texas Tech Schlabach: Texas Tech vs. Wisconsin
December 28th
Military Bowl Brought to you by Perspecta Naval-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland) 2:30 pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Troy vs. Navy Schlabach: Liberty vs. Navy
December 29th
Cheez-It Bowl World Camping Stadium (Orlando, Florida) 5:30 pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Miami vs. Oklahoma Schlabach: Miami vs. Oklahoma
Valero Alamo bowl Alamodome (San Antonio) 9pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Texas vs. Colorado Schlabach: Texas vs. Colorado
December 30th
Mayo Duke bowl Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina) Afternoon on ESPN and ESPN App Bonagura: Wake Forest vs. Wisconsin Schlabach: Wake Forest vs. Minnesota
TransPerfect Music City Bowl Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee) 3:30 pm on ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Iowa vs Kentucky Schlabach: Iowa vs Kentucky
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas) 7:15 pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M Schlabach: Oklahoma vs. Florida
December 31st
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas) Afternoon on ESPN and ESPN App Bonagura: Baylor vs. State of Mississippi Schlabach: Arizona State vs. Mississippi State
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee) 4pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: West Virginia vs. Tennessee Schlabach: West Virginia vs. Tennessee
Arizona Bowl Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Arizona) 4 pm on CBSSN Bonagura: Buffalo vs. San Jose State Schlabach: Buffalo vs. San Jose State
Texas Bowl NRG Stadium (Houston) 8 nights on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: TCU vs. Arkansas Schlabach: TCU vs. Arkansas
January 1st
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl Legion Square (Birmingham, Alabama) Afternoon on ESPN2 and the ESPN App Bonagura: Tulsa Vs. UAB Schlabach: Tulsa Vs. UAB
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) 12:30 pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Georgia vs. Cincinnati Schlabach: Georgia vs. Cincinnati
Vrbo Orange Bowl World Camping Stadium (Orlando, Florida) 13.00 on the ABC and ESPN App Bonagura: Indiana vs. Auburn Schlabach: Indiana vs. Auburn
January 2
TaxSlayer Gator bowl TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville, Florida) Afternoon on ESPN and ESPN App Bonagura: NC State vs. Ole Miss Schlabach: NC State vs. Ole Miss
Outback Bowl Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida) 12:30 pm on ABC and ESPN App Bonagura: Northwestern vs. Missouri Schlabach: Northwestern vs. Missouri
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona) 4pm on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Oregon vs. Iowa State Schlabach: Oregon vs. Iowa State
Capital One Orange Bowl Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida) 8 nights on the ESPN and the ESPN App Bonagura: Florida vs. North Carolina Schlabach: Texas A&M vs. North Carolina
Bowl game canceled
Bowl matches that have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic:
That Clemson Tigers brings a 7-0 record and a No. Their 1st to Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday night in a top 5 showdown 6-0 Notre Dame Against Ireland. These two college football powers met only once inside Notre Dame Stadium, a Clemson 16-10 victory in 1979. The two teams have finished in the top 15 in two previous regular season meetings – both at Clemson – with Ireland’s 1977 win (Notre Dame 5, Clemson 15) on their way to the national championships, and the Tigers won in 2015 (Notre Dame 9, Clemson 11).
Notre Dame Stadium has been the location of some unforgettable matches over the years, from shocking disruptions to momentum-defining victories, but very little has brought with it the level of hype and boost that this year’s Ireland Against the Tigers encounter. Notre Dame last hosted the country’s top-ranking team in 2005 when USC came to town – further below – but had yet to welcome the No. Another 1 at Notre Dame Stadium. Here are some of the most anticipated matches at Notre Dame Stadium over the past 40 years.
1990: No. 1 Notre Dame 28, No. 4 Michigan 24
While Michigan and Notre Dame’s encounter to open the 1988 season is fondly remembered for the crowd capacity of 59,075 (pre-expansion) that disrupted play due to excessive crowd noise, their 1990 game was a top 5 thriller in its own right. The two teams certainly became very familiar with starting the season against each other, as Notre Dame saw Michigan for the first or second game of each season from 1985 to 1994.
In the 1990 edition, debut midfielder Rick Mirer Notre Dame climbed the board early thanks to a Michigan error and jumped to a 14-3 lead after the first quarter. Michigan scored the next 21 points over the next two quarters, leading 24-14 into the fourth. As tension escalated with top-ranked Notre Dame on the ropes, Mirer led the Irishman off the field and into the end zone on two of the next three drives. Michigan put up a late comeback attempt, but Reggie Brooks navigated the sideline to make a last-second interception and seal Notre Dame’s win.
1990: No. 6 Notre Dame 29, No. 2 Miami 20
If one top 10 home game in the 1990 season was enough to make the Notre Dame fan base a little anxious, having one more game a month later doesn’t help. After losing two of the last three games against the Hurricanes – with the win coming at the famous 1988 encounter – Irish opponent Lou Holtz looks to starboard in the South Beach vs South Bend battle.
Miami opened the scoring with a touchdown just three minutes into the game before the teams exchanged field goals. Rocket Ismail’s next kickoff at 94 yards to equalize to 10-10 after the first quarter. Notre Dame kicked four field goals between the second and third quarters to take a 22-17 lead, and after a Miami field goal one minute into the fourth cut Ireland’s lead in half, Mirer found Rodney Culver for a touchdown with six minutes remaining that put the game out of reach.
1996: No. 4 Ohio State 29, No. 5 Notre Dame 16
Notre Dame started the 1996 season with a seven-point win at Vanderbilt, followed by a 35-0 win over Purdue in their home opener and a 27-24 win over No. 6th Texas in Austin thanks to a last-second field goal. His second top-10 fight in recent weeks didn’t go well, as the State of Ohio was clearly in control and completely outperformed Notre Dame from start to finish.
After Notre Dame jumped early, the State of Ohio quickly capitalized on the momentum – thanks to the dominance of defender Pepe Pearson and offensive midfielder Orlando Pace – and missed 16 points to take a 22-7 lead. Notre Dame crawled closer to the field goal, and the two sides exchanged touchdowns before a defensive penalty cleared Notre Dame’s punt for a touchdown that would have cut the deficit to a touchdown. The State of Ohio saved the last few minutes to give Ireland their first defeat of the 1996 season and their first regular season defeat in 365 days.
2005: No.1 USC 34, No. 9 Notre Dame 31
Ask any Irish fan what game leaves the most haunting memories, and most will respond with Notre Dame’s 2005 defeat to USC, known to many as “Bush Push” Game. The loss was Ireland’s fourth straight against the Trojans and part of an eight straight win by Pete Carroll’s group, with both teams finishing in the top 10 in three meetings.
In the final game – providing the basis for the nickname of the game – Matt Leinart took a snap at the second-and-goal from the 1 yard line and bumped into the wall of Notre Dame’s defenders when he tried to slip for a touchdown. But Reggie Bush came in from the back and pushed Leinart forward to win a game – albeit controversial, even to this day – a touchdown. The match is Notre Dame’s most recent home game against the No. 1, which many Notre Dame fans want to progress with a win against Clemson on Saturday night.
1993: No.2 Notre Dame 31, No. 1 Florida State 24
Speaking of victories against the No. 1 team, Notre Dame’s last win was in 1993 against Florida State in one of the games dubbed “Game of the Century.” ESPN is holding its “College GameDay” event on the street for the first time before this fight, broadcast live from the Joyce Center on the Notre Dame campus.
Seminoles Bobby Bowden took a 9-0 streak to Notre Dame Stadium against Lou Holtz 9-0 Fighting Irish, who led 21-7 at halftime and led 31-17 in the fourth. Finally, Heisman Cup winning midfielder Charlie Ward steered his Florida State comeback effort, leading the Seminoles on a 49-yard scoring drive before the defense stopped Notre Dame’s subsequent possession. With less than a minute left and no time limit, Seminoles had the ball near midfield and Ward led them to the 14 yard line with three seconds remaining. His pass in the game’s final game was deflected in the end zone by Irish cornerback Shawn Wooden, and Notre Dame held on for a dramatic win, beating top-ranked Florida State.
1988: No. 4 Notre Dame 31, No. 1 Miami 30
One of the main games at Notre Dame Stadium in its long and storied history epic fight between Miami and Notre Dame Pitted against the independent college football – yes, Miami was independent at the time – the powerhouse program. With pregame war of words and close fights which is why the game is often referred to as “Catholic vs. Convict”, as well as the in-game intensity and constant shifting of momentum, this game has all the elements of big 5 marquee fighting.
Miami had seven turnovers in the game, including a first-half interception by Miami quarterback Steve Walsh to which Notre Dame defender Pat Terrell replied to score to give Ireland a 21-7 lead. But the Hurricanes came back and scored with less than a minute left in regulation to cut Ireland’s lead to 31-30 before an extra points effort. Head coach Jimmy Johnson threw all of his chips into the center of the table and went for a two-point conversion instead of opting to kick PAT that tied the game. Walsh sent a high pass into the corner of the end zone, but Terrell brushed off the pass and secured the win to keep Notre Dame’s hopes of winning the 11th national championship safe.
– Written by Juan Jose Rodriguez, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network and a 2019 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Rodriguez is an intern for Athlon during the summer of 2017 and worked for various media on campus, including as Editor in Chief Gramedia Magazine. Follow him on Twitter @ JuanJoseR02.
Pac-12 will join the college football season on November 7, with each team looking to compete seven games in seven weeks during the coronavirus pandemic. Number 14 Oregon starting the season as de facto favorite as the conference’s only ranking team, but there are still more questions than usual.
After the conference schedule was released, our experts shared some thoughts, including first impressions, exciting battles and game-title predictions.
Which Pac-12 weekend are you looking forward to the most?
Ivan Maisel: In a year when things turn out to be normal, in a season that looks like it will never start, it’s great to see Thanksgiving weekend feature three of the most enduring contests in Pac-12. Three Northern Division geographic associates will be playing their over-the-top, chatty, year-long game of bragging rights on Thanksgiving Friday. We can all use a day when we can make turkey sandwiches and watch the Big Game, Oregon-The State of Oregon and the Apple Cup.
Bill Connelly: I agree with that, and I’m also glad we got Rivalry Week Part Deux with Oregon-Washington and USC–UCLA two weeks later. I’m really curious about Jimmy Lake’s Washington first team and whether the Huskies can stay with Oregon in the North. While we will most likely get an answer by then, this could still be decisive in the title play. (I’ve gotten to where I’m talking about things like the “mid-December competition to decide division titles” as if it’s normal.)
Kyle Bonagura: I’ve never been more excited for it Arizona vs. Utah. Not that there’s anything special about the game in particular, but by the time November 7 gets here, we’ll be going through September and October without Pac-12 football. Navigating the pandemic doesn’t have a road map, so it doesn’t make sense to stick to the different ways each conference operates with respect to the 2020 season. But because I’ve watched other conference games, I missed Pac-12. That’s why opening weekend, which will also feature Arizona State at USC, Stanford in Oregon, UCLA at Colorado, Washington at Cal and Washington State in Oregon State, is one of the most I look forward to.
Adam Rittenberg: It’s hard to argue with either option, but my eyes are immediately on the Oregon-Cal game on the first weekend of December. Don’t be surprised if this is the Ducks’ toughest division test in their quest to repeat as league champions. Cal has the home pitch and returning midfielders, Chase Garbers. The Bears have disappointed Washington and Washington State at Berkeley. I also think the USC trip to Pullman, Washington, which is likely to be chilly, on that Friday could be tricky, and Washington-Stanford is usually a fun physical game.
What is the most interesting fight?
Maisel: In Week 1, we have a fight between the two best midfielders in the league: Kedon Slovis USC vs. Jayden Daniels from Arizona State. It also explains another fight I love: the USC Soap Opera and all the Trojan fans’ expectations of head coach Clay Helton before the season was stopped, versus the reality of what the Trojans season is like now. They dumped two national championship contenders from their schedule (Alabama and Notre Dame), as well as a match in favorite North Oregon. Their crossover opponent is Washington State at the Coliseum. The schedule maker is doing USC solidly.
Connelly: If we’re honest, the most exciting fight is “Pac-12 vs. whoever tries to beat his best undefeated team.” It is clear that USC (Washington State), Oregon (UCLA), Utah (Oregon State) and Washington (Arizona) did not have the most dominant cross-division opponents, even though this was not a degree of SEC honesty. intention. However, on the ground, I’m glad we can get to USC-Arizona State right through the gate. Daniels fought back Palaie Gaoteote IV, Todd Orlando and the renovated USC defense will definitely shed some light on what we’re working on in the Southern division.
Bonagura: It’s hard to have any expectations going into this strange season. With no spring practices, no traditional training camps, with restrictions on government practices and the choice not to participate, there are too many unique variables to feel comfortable about anything. Oregon is – was it? – Favorites, so I’m intrigued to see how Duck looks against Stanford in Week 1, but even more so against Washington State the following week as the Cougars kick-start the Nick Rolovich era.
Rittenberg: Jimmy Lake actually had Mike Leach as Washington’s defense coordinator, and he wasn’t afraid to tell everyone about it before and after the Apple Cup. Lake is now entering his first year as Huskies coach, while Leach is away for the SEC. Rolovich operates a system similar to Leach’s, and it will be interesting to see if Lake’s Apple Cup reign can continue when rivals meet.
What are your Pac-12 championship predictions?
Maisel: USC has to play in Oregon. I shove all my chips at the end of the fairy tale. Clay Helton led the Trojans to the Pac-12 championship.
Connelly: We know how it will turn out if we trust USC too much, but the USC violation is perhaps the single most proven entity at the conference, and I would say it counts. Meanwhile, Oregon’s defense is perhaps the second most proven unit. This justifies the very tedious selection of chalk I’m going to make: USC vs. Oregon in the title game. And just to make sure we don’t end up unanimous, I think Oregon won.
Bonagura: I fully allow the possibility that something that is completely outside the left plane happens. Something like a Cal vs. Arizona State in the Pac-12 title race would be the perfect way to finish this season. For now, I agree with Ivan and Bill: Oregon vs USC makes the most sense, and Duck still feels the safer option.
Rittenberg: Even with all the options out, I would go with Oregon in the North, although it doesn’t surprise me to see Cal make the title game with a more balanced team under Justin Wilcox. I will lean with USC in the South as new defense coordinator Todd Orlando makes an immediate impact. USC made a small mistake and let Helton haters hate him for another offseason.
Pac-12 will play a seven-match conference football season starting November 6, the league announced Thursday.
The decision, which was voted on by the Pac-12 group of CEOs on Thursday, was an official reversal after the conference announced in early August that it would suspend all exercise until at least January 1, citing health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a release, Pac-12 said men’s and women’s basketball could start November 25 while other winter sports could be started according to the respective NCAA season. Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said other fall sports, such as hiking, soccer and volleyball, would continue to be planned for spring.
The Pac-12 move comes after a similar announcement last week from the Top Ten, which will kick off the football season on October 24.
Conference championship matches will be played on December 18, with sources telling ESPN that all 12 teams will be in action that weekend. Pac-12 will release its full match schedule in the coming days, the conference said.
No fans are allowed to attend Pac-12 matches which take place on campus. The decision will be reviewed in January, the conference said.
The conference is scheduled to hold a conference call at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday to discuss decisions to play.
Pac-12 has yet to receive an indication of not being eligible for the University Football Playoffs due to a reduced schedule, sources said. Even if the Pac-12 does not have a team worthy of being included in a four-team field, the eligibility component is essential in order to be in a position to collect sizeable payouts. Last season, there was a base payout of $ 66 million for each Power 5 conference.
In August, the Pac-12 CEO group, which consists of the president or chancellor of each university, unanimously decided to postpone the season. Explanations for the delay include the need for a daily rapid turnaround test for COVID-19. At that time, there was no belief that it might happen during the fall.
However, that changed less than a month later when the conference reached an agreement with a company to provide FDA-approved daily tests that were expected to be operational in early October.
Along with daily antigen testing, athletes will have at least one PCR test per week.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes and all associated with the sport of Pac-12 remains our top guideline and number one priority,” said Pac-12 group chairman and Oregon president Michael Schill in a statement. “Our Group CEO has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today’s decisions, including extensive consultation with stakeholders on growing information and data related to health and safety.”
The conference faces additional pressure after ACC, Big 12 and SEC remain in play in the fall. There is a general belief in the Pac-12, sources say, that after the Top Ten has postponed its season, another Power 5 conference will eventually do the same. When that doesn’t happen and the Top Ten faces significant pressure to – and ultimately – change course, the Pac-12 is left to find a way not to become the only Power 5 conference idle this fall.
Following last week’s Top Ten announcement, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott was quick to point to government restrictions in California and Oregon preventing six schools in the state from training. At the end of the day, the governors of both states publicly pointed out that nothing at the state level will prevent the Pac-12 season from taking place.
California’s provisional guidelines for college sports prevent teams from training in groups larger than 12, which is impractical for a sport that requires 22 players on the field in a combat situation. On Thursday afternoon, the California Department of Public Health issued a statement to ESPN that it was not aware of any changes to the guidelines. However a source told ESPN the conference believes the group’s guidelines will be changed in time to allow normal practice to occur.
“It is a testament to the strength of leadership in our football dressing room and a symbol of the central role that USC plays in the Pac-12 that the letter from our players to California Governor Gavin Newsom encourages our collective effort to return to play,” USC athletics director Mike Bohn said in a statement.
Santa Clara County, where Stanford located, requiring schools to submit a safety plan before giving permission for teams to train. The plan, according to the district, has been submitted and is being reviewed.
The latest hurdle to face the conference came on Thursday when the County of Boulder, Colorado, issued a ban on gatherings among students between the ages of 18 and 22. Assuming the order is not extended and Buffalo can start training after 14 days, the team will have four weeks to prepare the opener.
The Pac-12 says teams with health approval can start training immediately.
