The Weather Channel Is Calling For Hurricane Isaias To Hit Friday Night, But College Football Is Keeping No. 2 vs. No. 6 On The Schedule

One of the biggest games of the college football season is reportedly still a go, even with Hurricane Isaias bearing down on the Gulf Coast. Andy Staples of On3 dropped the news Thursday: the plan is to still play the Alabama-Georgia showdown Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, despite the developing hurricane. It’s a huge call, and it’s making waves across the sport.

Hurricane Isaias Is Gaining Strength, But the Show Goes On

So, let’s talk about Hurricane Isaias. The Weather Channel is reporting that this storm is still gaining strength. It’s headed for a Gulf Coast landfall Friday night, bringing storm surge, heavy rainfall flooding, and high winds. From there, it’s set to spread all that rain inland over the East this weekend. You’d think a major hurricane would put a stop to everything, right? Apparently not for this game. Staples did note that the storm is now projected to move through Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Saturday morning, which is ahead of the game’s scheduled start time. That’s a key detail, but still, we’re talking about a *hurricane*.

Even College GameDay is taking precautions. They previously announced they’re moving their pregame show inside the Coleman Coliseum on Alabama’s campus. Doors are set to open at 5:30 a.m. CT, with the show kicking off at 8 a.m. CT. GameDay typically does their thing outside on the hosting campus, but safety concerns with the incoming weather definitely necessitated that indoor pivot. The forecast for Tuscaloosa on Saturday isn’t exactly sunny: there’s an 80 percent chance of rain during the day, with winds potentially hitting 30 mph. By game time Saturday night, The Weather Channel projects those winds will drop to around 10 mph with a 40 percent chance of rain. Conditions might be trending in a direction that *allows* the game to happen, but it sure sounds like it won’t be a pretty night for football.

Undefeated Teams Collide With Major Implications

This isn’t just any game; it’s a massive one. Both Alabama and Georgia are undefeated, and they’re both desperately looking to secure a critical win in the race for the SEC championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Georgia is currently ranked No. 2 in the country, while Alabama sits at No. 6. The Crimson Tide are coming off an impressive 33-point road win over Mississippi State, and Georgia already has a solid win against Oklahoma under their belt. But let’s be real, Saturday night is a step up in competition for both these squads.

The matchup everyone’s got their eyes on is the Georgia defense against Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell. If Russell can put together another impressive game, it could seriously propel him up the Heisman Trophy rankings. On the flip side, the Bulldogs’ defense has a chance to send a loud message to the rest of the country that they’re one of the sport’s absolute best units. This game has everything, from national title implications to individual player legacies, all happening under the watchful eye of a looming hurricane. Get ready, because Saturday night is going to be wild, rain or shine.

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Originally reported by Bleacher Report.