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Alabama’s highly anticipated No.1 game against LSU at Baton Rouge this weekend, scheduled for 6 p.m. ET as SEC on CBS Game of the Week, has been postponed due to COVID-19 testing positive and contact tracing in the LSU football program. The SEC will make an effort to reschedule the game even though neither team has a joint week off. LSU had previously postponed its game against Florida to December 12, which is a week off built into the entire conference before the SEC Championship game. The conference said on Tuesday that Dec. 19, the same day as the SEC championship game, could be used for out-of-division winners to play postponed games.
This is the third SEC game postponed this weekend. Mississippi State’s home game against No.24 Auburn and No.5 Texas A&M’s trip to face Tennessee have both been postponed to December 12 after positive testing and contact tracing in the Mississippi State and Texas A&M programs, respectively.
“While it is unfortunate to have multiple postponements in the same week, we started the season knowing that program breaks were possible and we have remained focused throughout the season on the health of everyone around. our programs, ”SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. . “We must remain vigilant, within our programs and in our communities, to prevent the spread of the virus and to manage the activities that contribute to these disruptions.
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It has been a difficult week in the SEC on the COVID-19 front. In addition to the three games that have been postponed, Auburn has ended team-related activities, Missouri face its own roster issues. and Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has tested positive and will not coach in Saturday’s game against Florida.
“Based on the number of student-athletes unavailable due to positive tests, contact tracing and non-COVID injuries, we will not have the minimum number of fellows needed to play on Saturday,” said the director of LSU Athletics, Scott Woodward. “We are disappointed that there will be no football at Tiger Stadium this weekend, but we will always prioritize the health and well-being of our student-athletes. We will continue to follow the protocols of the league to return to play in a safe and responsible manner. ”
The SEC passed rules this summer that state teams must have 53 fellows available, including a quarterback, seven offensive linemen and four defensive linemen to play. If a team is unable to play due to the minimum composition requirements and it cannot be reconstituted, the game will be declared uncontested.
The Crimson Tide and Tigers played a classic last season in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which LSU won 46-41 en route to a perfect season and a national title.
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