The pandemic has thrown a wrench into whether college football will or will not be played this season. And the looming threat of sickness from COVID-19 remains a factor in how the season, if it is indeed played, will ultimately take shape.
What happens if a player gets sick and has to self-quarantine for two weeks? What happens if an entire position group comes down sick and can’t play?
If games are moving forward as scheduled regardless of illness or injury (and breakouts are adequately contained), it increases the likelihood that backups may be thrust into big positions unannounced.