Georgia the latest victim of virus postponements
The pandemic wrecked more plans across college football on Wednesday, with No. 12 Georgia at Missouri becoming the fourth game postponed in the Southeastern Conference alone and No. 3 Ohio State’s visit to Maryland canceled because of a coronavirus outbreak among the Terrapins.
“This is certainly a week unlike any other,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “I’ve repeatedly said (since March) that the circumstances around the virus will guide our decisions.”
While the SEC will assess rescheduling options, there are no open dates built into the Big Ten’s nine-week schedule, and teams must play at least six games to qualify to play for the league championship. The Buckeyes are now down to seven games at most and No. 13 Wisconsin, which was favored to meet the Buckeyes in the league championship game, has already had two games canceled because of its own outbreak.
“Obviously, we are disappointed at not being able to compete this week, but I am incredibly proud of our team and the way they have handled themselves throughout this entire pandemic,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said.
Among the three SEC games still on for this Saturday, Arkansas will visit No. 6 Florida without Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman after he tested positive for the virus. Pittman said he has had some body aches, but is otherwise doing OK. He is isolating in his guest house with his dog.
“I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t somewhat depressed,” Pittman said.
No. 24 Auburn at Mississippi State; No. 1 Alabama at LSU; and No. 5 Texas A&M at Tennessee were all called off earlier this week. Both the TigersBulldogs and Aggies-volunteers games have been rescheduled for Dec. 12.
In all, eight games across major college football have been called off so far this week including Memphis at Navy, Air Force at Wyoming and LouisianaMonroe at Arkansas State. Overall, 55 games involving FBS teams have been canceled or postponed since major college football leagues had their revised fall schedules in place on Aug. 26.
The SEC has said it is considering using Dec. 19 as a make up date for teams that are not involved in the league championship game that day. Georgia and Missouri share no open dates the rest of the way, but could be made up on Dec. 19.
With the Crimson Tide on track to play in the SEC title game, AlabamaLSU is in danger of not being played at all without some juggling of schedules.
“We want to play Alabama. It’s a great rivalry for us,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said, and added he no idea when it could be arranged.
Sankey said at some point the SEC might have to prioritize making up games that could impact the championship race over those that don’t, but the conference is not at that point yet.
“I’m certainly shaken, but not deterred,” Sankey said.
Orgeron said he expects most of his players in quarantine due to contact tracing back next week. Between injuries and COVID-19 issues, the Tigers were using punter Zach Von Rosenberg as the second-team quarterback in practice this week, Orgeron said.