By Derrick Ow — Reporter
San Jose State football has lost two potential opportunities to return to the national spotlight.
The Spartans are still undefeated at 4-0 but these two weeks felt like heartbreakers.
Not because of losing the chance to defeat a bitter rival like Fresno State or a chance to shock the world against Boise State.
This weekend, the Santa Clara County Health Department shut down contact sports for the next three weeks.
The Spartans have two home games remaining with massive implications. If they can beat Hawaii and Nevada they will be playing in the Mountain West Championship Game.
However, they are in need of a new home. Let’s see where they might end up playing for the rest of this season.
Humboldt State
This was a controversial move when the Spartans drove five hours north to Humboldt State.
The wildfires in the Bay Area forced the Spartans to get creative and a partnership was created. They spent 12 days in Humboldt County as they got ready for this unprecedented season.
I was not a fan of the move. Having 141 people drive to a different location just to practice seemed careless during a pandemic.
Humboldt State students were not a big fan of the move either. Having another football program practice at the Redwood Bowl did not sit well with Lumberjack country after seeing theirs get cut in 2018.
The Spartan student-athletes got closer during this trip and possibly helped them start their season 4-0.
The team could decide to play its remaining home games at Humboldt State. The logistics have been set up to make this happen. The Redwood Bowl is an intimate setting for a college football game.
The negative is that the team will have to quarantine for 14 days if they return before Dec. 21 according to the new COVID rules placed by Santa Clara County.
San Francisco/Oakland
Now here is where things get interesting. Imagine having the Spartans play at Oracle Park and potentially hosting three home games near McCovey Cove.
Oracle Park has some history hosting college football games. They were the home for the Cal Golden Bears during the 2011 season due to Memorial Stadium being renovated.
But Oracle Park would be a massive longshot for SJSU. It would be too short of notice to get a football field ready and playable in a week’s time.
The same could be said for the Oakland Coliseum. The stadium crew enjoyed its first year without having football. But perhaps there could be more gridiron magic left in the East Bay.
I am more skeptical that these scenarios would happen. Usually, San Francisco and Alameda counties follow what Santa Clara County does especially with the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. These stadium options would be closer in miles but it is simply a pipe dream.
The Road Spartans
The simplest solution is to play all their games on the road. This could be the easiest option scheduling wise, though athletic director Marie Tuite says playing at Hawaii isn’t an option this week.
It would be difficult for the players, coaches and on-field personnel to be on the road for the rest of the month. If the county order is still in effect after Dec. 21 then they will have to quarantine for two weeks upon return.
That would mean student athletes and coaches will possibly not be seeing their families during the holiday season.
The Spartans will not have home field advantage during the most pivotal games in the Brent Brennan era.
College football is running out of time to make decisions. There is no logical answer because athletic departments have never been in this position before.
This season has been one for the ages. Facemasks, COVID testing and no fans in the stands has added to this unprecedented season.
Student athletes have not seen their families since the season has started. The Spartans will now encounter the biggest test standing in the way between winning a conference championship: trying to play football without the luxury of CEFCU Stadium.
Follow Derrick on Twitter @Derrickq42
