Oklahoma's Riley thinks the world will need football by September

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Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley is optimistic that games will be played on schedule this fall.

"I feel by September, the world is going to need football," he said Tuesday on a conference call, according to Ryan Abert of The Oklahoman. "Hopefully, I think a lot of that will be determined by our country's response to (COVID-19) and how serious every single person takes it. Hopefully we, as a country, can do the best we can."

While other sports leagues have shut down or pressed pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, Riley added that he isn't ready to think about the possibility of a canceled college football season.

"I definitely haven't considered it," he said, according to Parker Thune of Sports Illustrated. "I don't think it's gonna do me or us any good. None of us know exactly what it looks like right now. I think if we're spending time on that right now, then we're not spending time on our guys. We'll adjust as time goes on."

For now, the 36-year-old Riley has been getting creative with most spring activities canceled.

The Sooners have posted a 36-6 record under Riley while winning three conference titles. They are scheduled to begin their 2020 campaign at home on Sept. 5 against Missouri State.

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby announced last week that a decision on the upcoming football season will be made in the next 60-90 days.