<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Get The Picture]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://blutarsky.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[Senator Blutarsky]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://blutarsky.wordpress.com/author/blutarsky/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[So much for regional&nbsp;appeal]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>Mark Emmert&#8217;s reluctance to mandate a common start date to the college football season aside, there&#8217;s a likelihood the commissioners want that, anyway.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SEC Commissioner <a href="https://twitter.com/GregSankey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregSankey</a> tells us that the communication between college commissioners has never been stronger than it is now. &quot;The notion that one thinks one conference is going to go off and doing something independently isn’t attached to reality.&quot;</p>
<p>&mdash; Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) <a href="https://twitter.com/finebaum/status/1260317359857958914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Why?  Three words:  College.  Football.  Playoff.  Sankey and his peers aren&#8217;t walking away from that sweet postseason payoff.</p>
<p>The more interesting question is going to be what happens if not all teams within a conference are able to start at the same time.  My guess is they&#8217;ll accept what it takes to fashion a credible CFP, whatever that is, but in any event, it&#8217;s another indication that college football&#8217;s focus has changed, for better or worse.</p>
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