UPDATED: SEC pushes season back to 9/26, will play conference games only

We have been awaiting word on the SEC’s season, and it appears that John Talty at Al.com has it for you:

The Southeastern Conference is moving to a 10-game conference SEC schedule, sources told AL.com.

The league has also moved back the start of the season to Sept. 26.

An official announcement is expected to be made at 3:45 p.m. CT. The decision comes after the SEC’s presidents and chancellors met virtually on Thursday.

This is somewhat surprising on the heels of the ACC decision to allow a non-conference game within the home state of ACC schools, and we certainly weren’t expecting to see the season pushed this early. Perhaps they are hoping to have more fans in the seats?

As it says, there will likely be more info soon and we will update here.

Roll Tide.

UPDATE: Nick Saban and Greg Byrne weigh in.

Also, this was speculated some yesterday, but it is expected that next year’s East opponents will be the two additional games. For Alabama that would mean Florida and Vanderbilt.

UPDATE 2: Here is the official SEC release.

A revised schedule for the 2020 SEC football season will be announced at a later date following approval by the Conference’s athletics directors.

Further decisions regarding safety standards related to athletics events, tailgating and other game day activities, including social distancing, face covering and other health measures consistent with CDC, state and local guidelines, will be announced at a later date.

Also, If Landry football is correct, we know the reason and it seems that the Georgia game will not open the season.

UPDATE 3: Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork discredits an above report.