Poll: Arkansans are ready for some football

After months of social distancing, Arkansans are ready to play some football, but less than a majority think college football should resume this fall.

A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll of 869 likely statewide voters tested the issue and found that a plurality supports the resumption of the fall’s most popular sport, but apprehension abounds.

Q: Based on what you know today about the coronavirus in Arkansas, in your opinion should colleges and universities play football this fall?

45% Yes
29% No
26% Unsure

“There’s no doubt that everybody is ready to resume something as normal as college football, but COVID-19 has certainly not made the decision an easy one. Still, there is a clear plurality who want to see athletes in the end zone by late September,” said Roby Brock, Talk Business & Politics Editor-in-Chief.

The latest survey of 869 statewide likely voters was taken on Tuesday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 10 and has a margin of error of +/-3.3%.

Talk Business & Politics asked the Tusk to Tail crew for their opinion on resuming everything from tailgating to touchdowns.

TTT’s Dale Cullins sounded the most confident when asked if there should be a college football season.

“I’m not sure if it’s a question of ‘should’ but rather ‘can they afford not to?’ Just like the schools trying to find safe ways for the students, the athletic directors have to find ways to get players on the fields and courts.”

“Right now, there seems to be a lot of questions and not many answers, but once the deadline passes for renewing season tickets and annual contributions, we will start getting more information. I’m not sure it’s going to be what we want to hear,” added veteran tailgater Craig May.

Read the Tusk to Tail crew’s reaction to the poll at this link.