Tropical Storm Isaias is projected to intensify into a hurricane by Thursday and could make landfall along the Alabama‑Mississippi‑Florida coast late Friday or early Saturday. The looming storm has put the highly anticipated Georgia‑Alabama football game, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern in Tuscaloosa, under a cloud of uncertainty.
Officials monitor conditions, no changes announced yet
University of Alabama officials issued a statement that, at this time, there are no plans to alter the contest. The school, along with the SEC, will continue to monitor the storm’s progress and will make any necessary decisions in coordination with local authorities.
Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart echoed the sentiment, calling the situation “uncertainty beyond my control.” He emphasized that his focus remains on preparing his team’s game plan and scheme, noting that the Bulldogs dealt with a similar weather threat last week when a severe‑weather warning surrounded their game against Vanderbilt. That storm never materialized, and Georgia went on to defeat Vanderbilt 38‑14.
President Trump’s attendance still on the table
President Donald Trump, who attended Texas’ win over Tennessee in a recent SEC matchup, was asked about his travel plans amid the storm. He replied, “I love Alabama. I’ve got to go to the game,” and added that he does not want to distract from the “great people that work on those things,” referring to first responders and police. Trump said the final decision will depend on the storm’s impact, stating, “We’ll have to see.”
Potential contingency options
Alabama meteorologist James Spann suggested that moving the game to Sunday night could be the safest option if conditions worsen. Both Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer and Smart said they are receiving updates but have not outlined specific backup plans. DeBoer noted, “I’m not really involved in too much, just updated on kind of where things stand… If there’s anything that would need to be adjusted, I haven’t heard anything recently.”
The Southwestern Athletic Conference already moved Florida A&M’s game at Alabama State from Saturday to Friday morning, illustrating how quickly schedules can shift when severe weather threatens.
Historical context
Alabama has faced similar disruptions before. In 1988, the Crimson Tide postponed a September 17 game at Texas A&M to December because of Hurricane Gilbert. More recently, Georgia’s 2016 matchup at South Carolina was pushed to Sunday due to Hurricane Matthew, and the LSU‑Florida game that same weekend was postponed to November.
As the Gulf Coast braces for possible flooding, dangerous winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes, officials, coaches, and fans alike are watching the forecast closely. The SEC retains final authority over any changes to the game’s timing or location, and will announce any adjustments as soon as they are warranted.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
