This is a week we can all pull for the Florida Gators, and everyone else living in the Sunshine State.
Hurricane Ian slammed into the west coast of Florida around lunchtime Wednesday, and the storm surge images were instantly frightening. If you coach football at Florida or at LSU long enough, weather-altered plans are something you have to deal with, which is what Billy Napier is experiencing just five games into his tenure with the Gators.
A Saturday date with Eastern Washington at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium has been moved to Sunday, with classes in Gainesville having been halted Wednesday and remaining that way through Friday.
"We have probably 15-plus players who have families that will probably be significantly affected more than others," Napier said late Wednesday morning on the Southeastern Conference teleconference, "and we want to be in position to where we can support their families and help them through what we hope won't be a difficult thing, but we all know what comes with these storms and these hurricanes."
Katrina, Rita, Matthew and Isaac have been among the hurricanes in recent years to adjust SEC weekends, and Ian's arrival not only resulted in Florida pushing its game a day back but in South Carolina and visiting South Carolina State moving their matchup up to Thursday night.
Ian hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with 155 mph winds. Its slow-moving nature will result in significant rain and storm surge, leaving any kind of football game secondary in importance.
"There are a lot of people in our thoughts and prayers here as we get ready to deal with this hurricane," Napier said. "Eastern Washington's travel was inhibited a little bit, as were a lot of the people who help us operate on game day as well. We're moving things up from a schedule standpoint today to get home earlier.
"What's most important here is that we get through these next couple of days safely. We look forward to the opportunity to get in the Swamp and compete Sunday, and we're very thankful for all the people who are making that happen."
Last Saturday produced quite the heartbreaking finishes for Arkansas and Missouri.
The Razorbacks lost to Texas A&M 23-21 after Cam Little's 42-yard field-goal attempt hit the top right upright, while Mizzou was certain to beat Auburn until the reliable Harrison Mevis missed a 26-yard attempt on the last play of regulation in an eventual 17-14 overtime loss. They have no time to sulk, with Mizzou hosting No. 1 Georgia this weekend and Arkansas hosting No. 2 Alabama.
"Football is like life, and you deal with situations with life, and you've just got to keep moving forward," Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz said Wednesday. "You can't dwell on it. Disappointments and losses in this world are not unique to us. That's kind of the situation with the human condition and the story of the world. For me, it's about understanding, learning and moving forward, and that's really your only choice.
"If you dwell on it, it hurts you as far as any future adversity or any future opportunity that you may have. Adversity always presents an awesome opportunity to build your own mental toughness and build your faith in a bigger plan."
Georgia's Kirby Smart said after last week's 39-22 dumping of Kent State that redshirt sophomore receiver Ladd McConkey has been dealing with a foot injury. On Wednesday, he gave an update on the former North Murray High standout.
"It's a use and volume issue and not really an injury that was sustained," Smart said. "Actually, this week he's been much better. We shut him down last week for two days, and then he practiced for two days. He was able to do everything Monday and Tuesday, and he's been getting lots of treatment on it."
McConkey fumbled away a punt return and a reception against the Golden Flashes but still led the Bulldogs with six receptions for 65 yards.
Pasquali's Pix
Kentucky at Ole Miss: The Wildcats could go a long way in their fight for national respect by addressing their 0-10 record under Mark Stoops in road games against SEC West foes. Rebels 23, Wildcats 20.
Alabama at Arkansas: Meet the Crimson Tide, winners of three games by more than 50 points and another victory by a point at Texas. Crimson Tide 31, Razorbacks 20.
Texas A&M at Mississippi State: This series is 7-7 overall, including 3-3 in College Station, 2-2 in Starkville and 2-2 at neutral sites. Aggies 27, Bulldogs 24.
LSU at Auburn: At least Bryan Harsin's potentially brief SEC tenure will include never losing to Ed Orgeron. LSU 30, Auburn 13.
Georgia at Missouri: Drinkwitz already has as many losses at Mizzou (15) as Smart has at Georgia. Bulldogs 45, Tigers 10.
UTC at ETSU: It took a hurricane to finally give the Mocs a break from night games? Mocs 24, Bucs 17.
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh: I'm pretty sure it's a bad investment when Geoff Collins has 10 wins and an $11.3 million buyout. Panthers 34, Yellow Jackets 17.
N.C. State at Clemson: ESPN's "College GameDay" decided to keep an orange background for another week. Tigers 27, Wolfpack 16.
Other picks:
South Carolina 49, S.C. State 16
Florida 48, Eastern Washington 15
BYU 45, Utah State 12
Michigan 31, Iowa 6
Memphis 42, Temple 19
Ohio State 56, Rutgers 7
Florida State 34, Wake Forest 31
Penn State 35, Northwestern 14
Baylor 30, Oklahoma State 23
North Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 20
Syracuse 52, Wagner 9
USC 35, Arizona State 22
Duke 24, Virginia 21
Oregon 38, Stanford 27
UTSA 20, Middle Tennessee 13
Louisville 33, Boston College 30
Utah 19, Oregon State 14
Winners — 22
Key kicks missed — 3
Pasquali is 88-12 overall (88.0%) this season.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.