Alabama Football: SEC makes new schedule plans with UK set for the Tide

Alabama Football: SEC announced new guidelines for schedule changes during the remainder of the 2020 season.

Alabama football has a ‘for sure’ opponent for Nov. 21. As previously planned the opponent will be the Kentucky Wildcats. There had been some chatter that Saturday’s schedule might be adjusted to make room for a Crimson Tide vs. LSU game. The SEC decided to not juggle any games on Nov. 21.

Moving forward into what will be the last four weeks of the SEC season, there could be numerous changes. The SEC Championship game will still be played in that fourth week, on Dec. 19. Other SEC games will likely be scheduled on the 19th, excluding, of course, the SEC Championship participants.

There are already four games scheduled for Dec. 12 to make up for earlier postponements. They are Auburn vs. Mississippi State, Texas A&M vs. Tennessee, LSU vs. Florida and Vanderbilt vs. Missouri.

SEC Commissioner, Greg Sankey said,

"It has been a goal of the SEC to play a complete football schedule provided we maintain a healthy environment for student-athletes and everyone around our football programs."

One reason for trying to play every game is financial. It has been estimated LSU will lose up to $6 million if the Alabama Crimson Tide does not play in Baton Rouge. Counter to that concern, many Alabama football fans believe LSU should be required to forfeit the game.

Another reason achieving a complete schedule is so important is competitive advantage. Both playing more games than other SEC teams and playing less can be construed to give a team an advantage. That issue is potentially important with Division Champions. The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators are on track to meet in the SEC Championship game. Currently, the Gators will play on Dec. 12, while the Crimson Tide has an open date. The postponed Alabama football game with LSU cannot be played on Dec. 12 because the Bengal Tigers play Florida on the date.

Based on the new SEC guidelines, should any of the three remaining Alabama football games have to be postponed, the Dec. 12 date can be used for a makeup. The league stated that while future game schedules may be adjusted, a team will only play against an opponent on its original regular-season schedule. Unless the Tide’s Kentucky, Auburn or Arkansas games have to be postponed, the only opponent the Tide can play on Dec. 12 is the, then unavailable, LSU Bengal Tigers. A second, regular-season game against an earlier opponent will not be scheduled.

The full SEC media release is available here.

It is almost guaranteed the SEC’s reschedule plans will not satisfy every program. Conference officials still deserve credit for a sensible plan.