The Southeastern Conference was scheduled to head into the stretch run of its football season this Saturday with seven head-to-head matchups.
Three of those games are now off the table.
The SEC announced Tuesday afternoon that the Alabama-LSU showdown in Baton Rouge and the Tennessee-Texas A&M pairing in Neyland Stadium will be postponed due to a combination of positive tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the LSU and Texas A&M programs. The Tennessee-Texas A&M game has tentatively been rescheduled for Dec. 12.
"We appreciate Texas A&M's communication this week," Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer said in a statement. "Our football program continued with its traditional game-week preparation as we awaited a decision on the status of Saturday's game. We received confirmation of the game's postponement this afternoon, and we will share pertinent updates with ticket holders via email and social media as developments occur."
The league announced Monday that this weekend's Auburn-Mississippi State game would be postponed due to a COVID outbreak within Mississippi State's program.
"While it is unfortunate to have multiple postponements in the same week, we began the season with the understanding interruptions to the schedule 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 activities that contribute to these interruptions."
Because LSU had its Oct. 17 postponed game at Florida tentatively scheduled for Dec. 12, the opportunity to reschedule the Alabama game will need to be evaluated. The rescheduling of games on the remaining SEC football schedule may include Dec. 19 as a playing date, though that is the date of the league championship contest in Atlanta.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.