USC football: Alabama reportedly in talks with TCU to replace Trojans

Alabama has talked to TCU about the possibility of replacing USC football if the Trojans can’t play in Week 1, according to Paul Finebaum.

The coronavirus pandemic has just about everyone looking ahead to the college football season with uncertainty. So naturally, programs are beginning to create contingency plans.

One of those contingencies concerns USC football’s upcoming matchup with Alabama in Arlington, Texas.

The Trojans were supposed to face off with the Tide to start the season, but Alabama has already scoped out a potential replacement if USC isn’t able to begin the season on time, according to Paul Finebaum on ESPN Radio.

CHECK OUT: Pac-12 considering conference-only slate for 2020

Alabama covering their bases makes a lot of sense. After all, Clay Helton admitted on Monday that the Pac-12 has discussed the possibility of playing the season with a conference-only schedule. That would leave the Tide without a Week 1 opponent.

Fortunately for Alabama, TCU is in a similar predicament. Cal is scheduled to play the Horned Frogs on the same Saturday and the Bears are just as uncertain to have to go-ahead to kick off in Week 1 as the Trojans.

The issue of non-conference games could have a major impact on the college football landscape. And it wouldn’t just mean losing the Alabama game. In all likelihood, USC would not be able to hold the annual rivalry game with Notre Dame if the schedule is trimmed to just Pac-12 opponents.

At this point, college football 2020 has become something like Schrodinger’s Season. The season may or may not be played this fall. It may or may not be conference-only. It may or may not involve fans in the stands.

No one will know until they open the box.

Fortunately, the answers could come soon. Helton told reporters during a Pac-12 webinar that he expects to know more in six to eight weeks.

What we do know is this: If USC isn’t able to get on the practice field for Fall Camp by the beginning of August, it would be very unlikely the Sept. 5 game will go on as planned.