The National Weather Service office in Birmingham forecast Tropical Depression Isaias to strengthen into a hurricane within 48 to 72 hours, keeping the status of Saturday’s No. 2 Georgia at No. 6 Alabama game uncertain three days before kickoff. The latest Alabama-Georgia weather update shows no change from the SEC‘s stance that it expects the 7:30 p.m. ET game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa to proceed as scheduled, even as the storm’s track remains uncertain.
Isaias could make landfall late Friday or early Saturday somewhere along the Alabama-Mississippi-Florida coastline before pushing north, according to the Associated Press. Tuscaloosa sits 200 miles inland, but forecasters say the storm could still bring gusty winds and steady rain to the area Friday into Saturday.
The Main Development
Alabama issued a statement saying there are currently no plans to alter the contest. The SEC, which has final authority over any schedule changes, told CBS Sports it is monitoring forecasts and staying in contact with schools whose games could be affected by the weather.
A National Weather Service forecast cited by Yahoo Sports said model uncertainties remain around the storm’s timing, intensity and exact track, with greater clarity expected over the next 24 to 36 hours. That window means the forecast picture could look different by Friday than it does now.
Alabama meteorologist James Spann told AL.com the possibility of moving the game is “clearly on the table,” pointing to the range of outcomes still in play. “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,” Spann said.
Spann also noted a less severe scenario remains possible. “Maybe it’s a weaker tropical storm and the core of it passes east of here. We’re on the dry side.
Or maybe it waits until Sunday, maybe it slows down and the rain holds off until Sunday. That’s on the table,” he said.
What It Means
The game is not the only event complicating the forecast. College GameDay is scheduled for Saturday morning, and Spann described the convergence of factors as unusually difficult to navigate. “The Alabama-Georgia game, a presidential visit, College GameDay.
You got the big Zach Bryan concert at Auburn. This is the National Shrimp Festival at Gulf Shores this weekend, which is huge. I mean, you could not… it’s gonna be a nightmare,” Spann told AL.com.
President Donald Trump is planning to attend the game, a visit that according to CBS Sports comes with heightened security measures, road restrictions and Secret Service agents stationed throughout the stadium. Asked Wednesday about his attendance plans amid the storm, Trump said, “We’ll have to see.” He also said, “I love Alabama.
I’ve got to go to the game,” while adding he did not want his presence to distract from storm response efforts. “I don’t want to do anything to take the focus away from all of the great people that work on those things, including first responders and police,” Trump said.
Trump has attended SEC games before, including Texas’ win over Tennessee on Sept. 26 and Alabama’s 2024 victory over Georgia.
Context: How The SEC Has Handled Storms Before
The conference has moved games for hurricanes in the past. In September 2022, South Carolina moved its Saturday game up to Thursday and Florida pushed its game back to Sunday ahead of Hurricane Ian, the last time the SEC rescheduled a football game, according to CBS Sports. Georgia’s 2016 game at South Carolina shifted to Sunday because of Hurricane Matthew, and that same weekend’s LSU-Florida game was postponed to November.
Alabama has its own history with storm disruptions. The program postponed a Sept. 17, 1988, game at Texas A&M until December because of Hurricane Gilbert.
Elsewhere in the state, the Southwestern Athletic Conference already moved Florida A&M’s game at Alabama State from Saturday to Friday morning because of the weather threat, a sign that conferences in the region are adjusting schedules as the storm approaches.
Team And Coach Reaction
Georgia coach Kirby Smart addressed the uncertainty directly. “It’s uncertainty beyond my control. I’m focused on trying to prepare our team and game plan and scheme,” Smart said.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said he is receiving updates on the storm but had not outlined contingency plans as of Wednesday. Spann, for his part, said moving the game to Sunday night would be the best choice given the range of possible storm scenarios.
Alabama enters the week as a 1.5-point favorite, according to CBS Sports, in a matchup between top-six ranked teams that neither side wants complicated by weather logistics.
What’s Next
Forecasters expect the storm’s path to become clearer over the next 24 to 36 hours, which should give the SEC and both schools more information before Saturday’s scheduled 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. No official change to the game date, time or Trump’s attendance has been announced.
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