We are living in unprecedented times. I am sure you’ve heard that statement a billion times now. This week, college football officials are mulling over the decision to cancel or postpone the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic. If they do, it could have an impact on the Tennessee Titans.
This all started when the Mid-Atlantic Conference announced the postponement of their fall sports on Saturday, which made them the first top-tier Division I Football Bowl Subdivision conference to do so. Then, news began to emerge on Sunday that leaders within college football are afraid that decision will have a domino affect on Power Five Conferences.
According to these leaders, the chances of the college football season happening in the year 2020 seems unlikely. They believe it is expected for the season to be postponed until 2021, or, sadly, canceled.
BREAKING: Multiple reports from @SInow indicate that it’s increasingly unlikely there will be college football in 2020.
Big Ten presidents are meeting tonight after Power 5 commissioners held an emergency meeting this afternoon.https://t.co/yJlH8IAhsu
— Oklahoma Sooners on SI (@All_Sooners) August 9, 2020
I would hate for the season to be canceled. We need our college football here in the South as much as we need to breathe. The morning of college football Saturday for some is a tradition. However, Saturdays may not be without football after all.
A college football cancellation or postponement would lead to Saturdays being left open for the NFL to play with. They could stretch their Sunday afternoon schedule throughout two days to try to increase viewership for certain games, giving NFL fans football for a longer period of time.
The NFL is watching what unfolds with college with interest. They remain highly intrigued by the Saturday television real estate with the potential absence of college.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 10, 2020
In this instance, we would have football on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It’s not known as to how the NFL may take this route without putting their players at risk of injury because of smaller preparation times in between games. But, there is a good chance the NFL will try to make it happen.
If the Titans carry their 2019 momentum into the 2020 season, we could see some Titans football on Saturdays instead of mostly Sundays. Here are some games I could see being flexed to some Saturday slots:
WEEK 3: at MINNESOTA
It seems as if the Titans and Vikings have weapons to counter one another at almost every position. One side has Dalvin Cook, the other has Derrick Henry. One side has Kirk Cousins, the other has Ryan Tannehill. It can go on for a few more positions. This could be a close battle to the finish, and one the NFL may want to flex to Saturday for a wider market to enjoy.
WEEK 11: at BALTIMORE
Unless one or both teams regress, this would be a no-brainer flex option for the NFL. I was surprised that this wasn’t already a Sunday, Monday, or Thursday night game. This game will be dubbed the “revenge game” for the Ravens, who lost to the Titans in the divisional round of the 2019-2020 NFL Playoffs. With names like Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, this game is definitely marketable and one many will want to watch.
WEEK 17: at HOUSTON
This game could end up being for the division if all works out. Week 17 has always been a flex week for the NFL, so I wouldn’t at all be shocked if Titans – Texans is flexed to Saturday, if not Sunday night. This week could also be filled with scenarios, such as if one team wins another team may not make it to the postseason. So, it could be possible the Titans game is moved to Saturday if another team is dependent on them to win or lose.
I am not sure how the NFL will handle the freedom given to them if Saturdays are open, but if they do spread the games out more, I would assume those three Tennessee Titans games are the most likely options to be flexed.
Featured image by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
