While Ole Miss and Mississippi State may not know what their 10-game schedules look like ahead of the 2020 season, which is now set to begin on September 26th, they do know when they can begin practice.
The Southeastern Conference has announced its adjusted dates for preseason football activities, and practices are slated to begin on August 17. According to the SEC, the new calendar provides student-athletes with more days off than required by the NCAA and fewer practices than permitted by current NCAA rules.
The new preseason calendar was developed based on recommendations of the SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force, which has guided the conference as they attempt to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ahead of the start of practices, schools can hold up to 14 hours per week of strength and conditioning, meetings, and walkthroughs from August 7-16th.
Beginning on the 17th until their season openers, schools are allowed 25 practices with a limit of 20 hours per week of practice time. A five-day acclimatization period is required, with two days in helmets only, two days in shells, and the fifth day in full pads.
Schools will be required to provide student-athletes a minimum of two days off each week until the week before the first game of the season.
