Alabama-LSU And Texas A&M-Tennessee Games Postponed Due To COVID-19

Tide & Tigers Might Have To Be Canceled

By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com College Football Editor

Posted Nov. 10

Two more SEC football games scheduled for this weekend have been canceled Alabama-LSU and Tennessee-Texas A&M.

Earlier in the week, Mississippi State was forced to postpone its game against Auburn.

After having pretty much a COVID-free season, the league has been hit hard this week. LSU, Mississippi State and Texas A&M have had issues this week and additionally, Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman tested positive. Defensive coordinator Barry Odom will take over for Pittman in the Razorbacks’ game against Florida.

The Tide and Tigers were the marquee game of the weekend for the league, despite the fact Bama was a four-score favorite to win the game.

LSU was having trouble meeting the SEC’s minimum requirement of 53 healthy players after some players tested positive and others were ruled out through contact tracing. The game is labeled as “postponed,” tho it is likely canceled because LSU already has a game on “reschedule Saturday,” Dec. 12, against Florida, which was having its own COVID-19 issues earlier in the season.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey issued this statement on Alabama-LSU:

“While it is unfortunate to have multiple postponements in the same week, we began the season with the understanding interruptions to the schedule were possible and we have remained focused throughout the season on the health of everyone around our programs.

“We must remain vigilant, within our programs and in our communities, to prevent the spread of the virus and to manage activities that contribute to these interruptions.”

Both Alabama and LSU had bye weeks last weekend, so the timing is unfortunate for the league and especially for the Tide. Alabama just rose to #1 in the country after Notre Dame’s upset over Clemson and seems headed to the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff.

Now with two weeks off before facing Kentucky on Nov. 21 it runs the risk of losing much of its early-season momentum, as well as having little wiggle room left if another game on its schedule is canceled.