Stop treating the players like kids who are fragile and likely to break.

• Find a dozen or so other teams willing to play.
• Sign a contract with broadcast rights for the games
• Allow the players to make money off their name and image from the TV deal, not the university
• Those who wish to play sign contracts and waivers just like the pros do
• No player loses their scholarship if they don't want to play

Its not perfect, but these athletes came to play football so they could provide for themselves and their families futures. Let them choose their risk level, not have others choose it for them.