A severe storm is forming in the Gulf of Mexico right now, and this storm is heading straight for Alabama. There is a chance that it could increase in strength enough to become a hurricane, and if that happens it seems unlikely that the Georgia and Alabama game would take place this weekend.
Chief meteorologist James Spann, who advises Alabama officials every game day in Tuscaloosa whenever inclement weather could impact a game, spoke about the storm that is heading Alabama's way.
“We’ve got potential for a hurricane making landfall in Mobile Bay,” Spann said via AL.com. “The Alabama-Georgia game, a presidential visit, College GameDay. You got the big(Zach Bryan) concert at Auburn. This is theNational Shrimp Festivalat Gulf Shores this weekend, which is huge. I mean, you could not … it’s gonna be a nightmare.”
Georgia vs Alabama game will need to change venues or dates or risk being canceled
If this severe of weather hits Tuscaloosa on Saturday then it is extremely unlikely that the Georgia and Alabama would occur as scheduled. Right now the game is scheduled for 7:30 pm EST on Saturday, but if the storm ends up being as bad as predicted not only would it be impossible to play football but it wouldn't be safe to be outside in general.
The SEC would have a few options on the table though to help ensure this game takes place.
“The idea of moving the game, it’s on the table,” said Spann. “I’m saying it’s clearly on the table. It would be a nightmare for everybody involved. But if we do get a Category 1, Category 2 hurricane coming right up Mobile Bay Saturday morning, I don’t know if you wouldn’t be playing that game in Tuscaloosa that you’ve got the chance of winds gusting to 50 miles an hour, torrential rain and the chance of isolated tornadoes on top of everything else.”
One thing the SEC can do is move the game to a new location. That is a logistical nightmare since it is already game week, but that might be their only way to play the game this weekend. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta might be the first option everyone thinks of, but Atlanta United (MLS soccer team) play in that stadium Saturday night already.
The SEC could find another stadium in the area with Sanford Stadium in Athens not being a bad option. It's unlikely that Alabama would agree to playing a true road game when they were supposed to play at home though. The conference could also look for an SEC team who isn't playing at home this weekend and have the game played there too. LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Texas A&M would be the most realistic locations, but it seems unlikely they would want this game in their stadium either.
If the SEC can't find a new location to play this game then they either have to cancel it for good or find a new day to play it. Finding a new day would actually be pretty easy though. Georgia and Alabama could just have their bye weeks this week and play in two weeks on Oct. 24 instead. Then the SEC would only have to move Alabama and Texas A&M's game which is scheduled for Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 and let A&M have their bye week on the 24th.
This seems like the most logical decision because as of now the weather report doesn't look promising and finding a new location this late in the week seems unrealistic. Spann did say they should wait 24 more hours for weather reports to become more accurate before making a final decision, but after those 24 hours the SEC may have to make a final decision.
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