SEC teams will not hold traditional fall camp, practice to begin August 17

Last week, we learned that the SEC will play a ten game schedule this season, all within the conference, and the season would be delayed until the last week of September, We are still waiting on opponents and schedules to be finalized, but we now have some information about practice. From Ross Dellenger at SI:

The conference office has approved a new preseason plan that delays practice deeper into August. As part of the plan, teams can practice 25 times over a 40-day period beginning on Aug. 17, sources tell Sports Illustrated. During that time, schools must adhere to the NCAA’s normal in-season football access time of 20 countable hours a week. Two days off each week are required. The new preseason plan expands the SEC’s practice window by 11 days, providing flexibility for more off days and potential COVID-19 related interruptions.

Flexibility is the key here, not only for the team as a whole but also individuals. By having more off days in the calendar, particularly early, a player who has to miss some time won’t miss too many practices. They could have started a week earlier and added even more flexibility, but that likely would have resulted in more time off for everyone between practices than coaches prefer. This seems to be a happy medium, as teams will ostensibly continue the mandatory workouts until practice starts.

We will report any scheduling news as it comes across.

Roll Tide.