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Peterson: College football's return could be welcomed by record television network ratings

(Photo: USA TODAY Sports photos)

Let’s say the college football season opens sometime, a huge presumption right now, for sure. Whether it’s a 12-game season in the fall with or without fans (assuming students are back on campus, of course), or a conference game-only schedule that starts in October or, heaven forbid, a spring season ...

Let’s assume college football returns to our radar — for a while, at least, without fans.

What happens?

You’ll watch college football games in record numbers, that’s what.

“Viewers are starved for sports programming,” said Des Moines resident Ray Cole, past ABC board member and liaison to ESPN.