In this week’s review, the Cincinnati Reds go through another shaky week. FC Cincinnati prepares for their return to Nippert Stadium. While an autumn college football season seems increasingly unlikely.

The Cincinnati Reds’ hot and cold week

The first quarter of the Reds’ 2020 season is already complete. Going into Monday, the Reds are 7-9 and in third place in the National League Central. Managing to fade off in the standings after coming within a whisker of getting to .500 again. Partly due to the Reds bullpen’s continued struggles to hold a lead. Along with their offense going cold often late in games.

Streaky is the word to describe this past week for the Reds. They failed to score in 24 consecutive innings between last Tuesday and Friday. Cincinnati lost three straight games to the Cleveland Indians. Then won two straight against the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend. Losing the series finale and second place in the division yesterday.

Today, the Reds have their first scheduled day off of the season. Returning from a five game road trip for a six game home stand. Starting Tuesday with a two game inter-league series against the Kansas City Royals. Followed up with four games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Two teams currently in last place in their respective divisions.

FC Cincinnati’s schedule reset is complete

FC Cincinnati’s post-MLS is Back Tournament schedule is now set. Over five months after their originally scheduled home debut was postponed. FCC’s 2020 home debut is now set for August 21st. Facing DC United at Nippert Stadium at 7:30 PM Eastern. The rest of this season’s FC Cincinnati schedule is available here.

College Football season falling apart at the seams

The prospects of a fall college football season seem increasingly slim. With the Mid-American Conference cancelling their fall sports season this weekend. Becoming the first conference in the NCAA’s top-tier Football Bowl Subdivision to do so. Most notably locally, this means Miami-Ohio Football wont play until at least next spring. This also means one of college football’s oldest rivalry games wont happen as scheduled.

The MAC’s move is prompting the postponement of Miami and Cincinnati Football’s Battle for the Victory Bell. At the moment Cincinnati has just one non-conference game left on their schedule. Their season opener against Austin Peay Football on September 3rd at Nippert Stadium. After that, the Bearcats next game for now wouldn’t be until October 3rd. With their home conference opener against USF Football. The MAC’s decision also wipes Western Michigan Football from UC’s schedule.

The Big Ten’s decision last month to have a conference only season caused UC’s first postponement. Cincinnati’s originally scheduled non-conference finale at Nebraska Football. Meanwhile, UC’s American Athletic Conference announced their football season plans last week. The conference will have an eight week conference schedule. Member schools can play up to 12 regular season games.

Elsewhere in Division I, Dayton Football won’t play this fall. Due to the Pioneer Football League opting against having a fall season. Prompting the Football Championship Subdivision to postpone their fall season and playoffs. Meanwhile, NCAA Division II and III cancelled their fall championships last week. On a local note, this effects D-III Mount St.Joseph University.

This week is shaping up to be a pivotal one for college football. One where any hopes of a fall season might be dashed. The current state of a potential fall season is utterly chaotic. With some players opting out of this season due to COVID-19 concerns. While others call for the sport to be effectively unionized; through the formation of a players association. Some conferences are starting seasons weeks later than others. While some programs face postponement-caused gaps in their schedules. 

The consensus is increasingly building towards a potential spring 2021 season instead. With hopes that a more traditionally structured regular season can happen by then. Instead of the unwieldy and messy fall schedule developing now. Hopefully it will be safe enough to have spectators in stadiums next spring. Which seems increasingly unlikely and potentially unwise this fall.