With a week to go until the Southeastern Conference officially kicks off football season, the league has answered an essential question for trying to play football in a pandemic: How many players does a team need to play a game?
Answer: 53.
With some caveats.
As games across the country are postponed because of COVID-19 infections and required quarantines, the SEC announced Friday its roster minimum thresholds and cancellation policies for the upcoming season.
To play a game during the SEC's revised schedule, a team must have 53 scholarship players available and the following minimum number of scholarship players available at these positions: seven offensive linemen, including one center, one quarterback and four defensive linemen.