Nick Saban: Delaying college football until spring could result in ‘JV season’

University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban doubled down on his call for college football to continue this fall, warning Tuesday that delaying the season until spring would lead to countless churns among top players from the country.

Saban reiterated that his players don’t have to do anything they are “uncomfortable with” as Alabama and other SEC schools move forward with plans for a season of autumn. However, he suggested that the best college players with a future in the NFL could retire rather than risk injury or illness so close to the start of their professional careers.

SABAN: ALABAMA’S FOOTBALL PLAYERS MORE SAFE AT SCHOOL

“I think one of the real consequences of this is, if you’re a junior or a senior and you have an NFL rating, are you going to play in the spring?” Saban said during an appearance on ESPN “Get Up”. “Or is it going to become a kind of JV season with a lot of these juniors and seniors retiring?”

Three of the NCAA’s “Power Five” conferences – the SEC, the ACC and the Big 12 – are planning to play this fall. The other two conferences, the Big Ten and the Pac-12, have already postponed all fall sports, including football, for the sake of the health of student-athletes during the pandemic.

The Big Ten and the Pac-12 have both suggested that the seasons could be played in the spring, although it’s currently unclear whether that plan will be viable.

Saban is one of several top college football coaches who have publicly lobbied for the season to go as planned this fall. Earlier this month, the longtime Crimson Tide coach said his players were best under strict school supervision and health guidelines as they were “running at home.”

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Speaking to ESPN, Saban said he has confidence in the current SEC guidelines for health and safety. In addition, he expressed concern that a cancellation of the season could cost some players a chance to stand out and increase their professional outlook.

“Everyone’s circumstances and situation are a little different,” Saban said. “I actually hate it for players who won’t have the opportunity to play and compete and create value for themselves.”