Georgia-Alabama game stays on schedule as Hurricane Isaias nears Gulf Coast
In short
The Associated Press reported that Saturday's No. 2 Georgia at Alabama college football game in Tuscaloosa remains on schedule despite Hurricane Isaias. The SEC told On3 the game was expected to kick off on time, while ESPN's "College GameDay" moved indoors to Coleman Coliseum. President Donald Trump has said he plans to attend.
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The Georgia-Alabama college football game in Tuscaloosa is on schedule despite Hurricane Isaias, the Associated Press reported. The SEC told On3 on Thursday that the game was predicted to kick off on time, Newsweek reported, adding that forecasts showed the hurricane would be past Tuscaloosa by the 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff, near the Alabama-Tennessee border about 150 miles away. [ 5 , 6 ]
The only change so far to Saturday's events on Alabama's campus is to ESPN's "College GameDay," which moved indoors to Coleman Coliseum because hurricane conditions were expected to move through Tuscaloosa earlier in the day, according to Newsweek. The outlet said the game could still be affected by power outages or by emergency personnel being needed for hurricane relief. If the game cannot be played Saturday night, the secondary option would be Sunday afternoon, The Athletic reported, according to Newsweek. [ 5 ]
Isaias strengthened into a hurricane late Wednesday, and forecasters said it could make landfall late Friday or early Saturday along the Alabama-Mississippi-Florida coastlines, ABC News reported. Newsweek said there had been evacuation orders for some southern areas. The Southwestern Athletic Conference moved Florida A&M's game at Alabama State from Saturday to Friday morning. ABC News said the SEC ultimately makes the decision on the game, and Alabama said "at this time there are no plans to alter the contest." [ 4 , 5 ]
President Donald Trump announced at an event in Mobile that he planned to attend the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the New York Post reported. Asked about the storm on Wednesday, Trump said, "I love Alabama. I've got to go to the game," but added "We'll have to see" about his travel plans and said he did not want to take the focus away from first responders and police, according to ABC News. [ 1 , 4 ]
Earlier in the week the SEC said, "Like we do every week at this time, we're keeping an eye on forecasts and staying in communication with schools with games that could be impacted by weather." ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann called the combination of the storm, the game, the presidential visit, "College GameDay," a Zach Bryan concert at Auburn and the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores a "nightmare scenario." Georgia coach Kirby Smart said: "It's uncertainty beyond my control. I'm focused on trying to prepare our team and game plan and scheme." [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The storm was forecast to make landfall on the Gulf Coast hours before the game, and outlets reported it could lead to power outages and pull emergency personnel away from the game. A weekend that also included a presidential visit, the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores and a Zach Bryan concert in Auburn put pressure on resources in Alabama, according to the coverage.
Key facts
- No. 2 Georgia plays at Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Isaias strengthened into a hurricane late Wednesday, and forecasters said it could make landfall late Friday or early Saturday along the Alabama-Mississippi-Florida coastlines, ABC News reported. [ 4 ]
- The SEC told On3 on Thursday that the game was predicted to kick off on time; the AP reported the game was on schedule. [ 5 , 6 ]
- ESPN's "College GameDay" moved indoors to Coleman Coliseum because hurricane conditions were expected to pass through Tuscaloosa earlier on Saturday. [ 5 ]
- President Donald Trump said he plans to attend the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- If the game cannot be played Saturday night, the secondary option would be Sunday afternoon, The Athletic reported, according to Newsweek. [ 5 ]
- The Southwestern Athletic Conference moved Florida A&M's game at Alabama State from Saturday to Friday morning. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Hurricane Isaias threatened the Georgia-Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Trump planned to attend the game. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The SEC said it was keeping an eye on forecasts and staying in communication with schools whose games could be affected by weather. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kickoff was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT). [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- The game was expected to go ahead on schedule. [ 5 , 6 ]
- The National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores and a Zach Bryan concert at Auburn were also scheduled for the same weekend. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the storm's effects on Tuscaloosa earlier on Saturday, such as power outages or the need for emergency personnel, will still affect the game. Newsweek said the game could still be affected depending on damage; no outcome is reported.
- Alabama's ranking. ABC News and Newsweek list Alabama at No. 6, while Trump, quoted by the New York Post, said No. 7.
- Whether Trump will travel to the game. Trump said "I've got to go to the game" but also "We'll have to see" about his travel plans.
- A move to Sunday afternoon as a fallback. Reported only by The Athletic, as cited by Newsweek; Georgia and Alabama had not disclosed backup plans, per ABC News.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Oct. 6: The New York Post reports the National Weather Service forecast a Gulf storm that could make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, and the SEC says it is monitoring forecasts. [ 1 ]
- Oct. 6: Fox News reports the University of Alabama released a statement on Tuesday night saying it is monitoring the forecast. [ 2 ]
- Oct. 7: ABC News reports Trump said "I love Alabama. I've got to go to the game" and Alabama said there were no plans to alter the contest. [ 4 ]
- Oct. 8: Newsweek reports the SEC told On3 the game is predicted to kick off on time and "College GameDay" moved indoors. [ 5 ]
- Oct. 9: The AP reports the Georgia-Alabama game is on schedule despite Hurricane Isaias. [ 6 ]
- Saturday: Scheduled kickoff (ET) in Tuscaloosa. [ 1 , 4 ]