Happy Opening Day of Fall Camp!

Well, I suppose, “happy,” is relative depending on your personal feelings about the existence of college football in this pandemic-ridden world.

Nevertheless, Mizzou Football will open fall camp today, officially kicking off the 2020 season. How long that season lasts is something we’ll likely find out before the September 26 kickoff date. If we make it there, it seems likely we’ll play the full schedule... but that may be a big, “if,” after the weekend reports out of Oklahoma. (And yes, I know those players didn’t get COVID from football, so don’t @ me in the comments.)

But while the Tigers get ready to strap on the practice gear, players in the Big 10 and Pac 12 are still dealing with the reality that they won’t be playing this fall. But Ohio State’s Justin Fields isn’t going down without a swing or two.

The Petition states...

We, the football players of the Big Ten, together with the fans and supporters of college football, request that the Big Ten Conference immediately reinstate the 2020 football season. Allow Big Ten players/teams to make their own choice as to whether they wish to play or opt out this fall season. Allow Big Ten players/teams who choose to opt out of playing a fall season to do so without penality [sic] or repercussion.

There’s a lot — really just an absolute ton — that you could get into with this petition. Obviously it’s just a shot in the dark from one of college football’s stars, and that’s evidenced by the simple fact that it’s framed as a request. There’s no ultimatum or demand, just a simple ask. The intention is likely to draw support from fans to have some sort of number to present to Big 10 officials.

But with the rumored reasons surrounding the conference’s decision (including the heart conditions developed by several athletes who have tested positive), it seems near impossible that this would get any sort of traction. After all, the players and fans may want to be able to play, but what happens if a player gets seriously ill or dies as a result of an infection spread by football? Are the signees of this petition making themselves liable for that life?

However, the one thing you can take away from this is that players have seemingly internalized their rights to fight for the change they want to see. The #WeWantToPlay movement felt like a landmark moment just a week ago, even if it couldn’t stop two of the Power Five conferences from postponing their seasons. It’ll be fascinating to see what other ways football players continue to fight for their lost season.

Yesterday at Rock M

• Creative Roster management has been the key to success for multiple coaches at Missouri
• Embracing discomfort and uncertainty to increase mental performance

More Links:

• Dave Matter listed 10 players for Mizzou Football who could swing their results on the field. He also spoke with local athletes in colleges that had their seasons cancelled, asking them to weigh in on the decisions made by the Big 10 and Pac 12.
• PowerMizzou subscribers can learn more about the upcoming decision from Sean Durugordon, who just placed Mizzou Hoops into his group of final eight schools.

• Elsewhere on PowerMizzou, Sean Williams previewed the 2022 crop of QB recruits, while the staff looked ahead to this fall’s matchup with Tennessee.
• Steve Bieser picked up a BIG TIME commitment on Saturday evening from Florida shortstop Justin Colon, who received a perfect 10 grade from Perfect Game.

• Wanting to plan out this fall by Mizzou’s Saturday schedule? You’ll be able to later today.

• Happy (belated) birthday, Sophie Cunningham! We hope your birthday was stellar, even if the Mercury couldn't secure a birthday win for her.

• And to end your links on an obvious note...

Wow, who could’ve seen that coming?

• If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: click Here for ESPN+ Now! (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)