The University of Alabama Crimson Tide’s game against LSU, which was originally scheduled for November 14, will reportedly be rescheduled to Saturday, December 5.
The game was postponed earlier this month because of positive COVID-19 test results and subsequent contact tracing within the LSU football program.
It had since become doubtful that the game would be rescheduled, as LSU already has a make-up game against Florida scheduled for December 12, the designated weekend set aside by the SEC for games postponed due to coronavirus protocols.
Yahoo Sport’s Pete Thamel on Friday was the first to report that the SEC plans to readjust the remaining regular season schedule to allow Alabama to play LSU — the defending national champions — this season.
It is expected now that Alabama will travel to play LSU in Baton Rouge next weekend.
Alabama’s game at Arkansas, originally scheduled for December 5, will thus be pushed back to December 12.
The SEC Championship Game will be December 19.
It has been reported that this planned schedule adjustment by the SEC is contingent on this weekend’s relevant games not being postponed.
The Tide face Auburn in the Iron Bowl at 2:30 p.m. this Saturday. Head coach Nick Saban will not be on the sideline due to a positive COVID-19 test result on Wednesday.
UPDATE 2:50 p.m.
The SEC confirmed the schedule change.
Alabama at LSU will now be played December 5 at 7:00 p.m., and CBS will broadcast the game.
“The cooperation and flexibility of our coaches, athletics directors and campus leaders along with the dedication of our student-athletes now provides the opportunity to reach this point in the season with the ability for each SEC team to play ten football games in 2020,” stated SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “We knew before the season there would be interruptions and scheduling challenges related to COVID-19 and we will continue to manage the remaining weeks of the football schedule to allow for as many games to be played as possible, with a continuing focus on determining an SEC champion.”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
