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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.
The Saban and Byrne responses to the SEC news in one place. pic.twitter.com/vCAFTCzgiH
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) July 30, 2020
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.
--@RossDellenger believes the two extra SEC games to be added to the schedule will be each team's 2021 and 2022 cross-division opponents.
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) July 30, 2020
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.
SEC office says reason for delayed start of season is that the medical advisors have advised that there will be major spike in positive cases once students arrive on campus and their thought it would give them time to contain before Sept 26. Will be interesting to see.
— Landry Football (@LandryFootball) July 30, 2020
GA/Ala will be rescheduled for later in season.
— Landry Football (@LandryFootball) July 30, 2020
UPDATE 3: Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork discredits an above report.
Right decision for the health & safety of our university communities & everyone involved.
— Ross Bjork (@RossBjorkAD) July 30, 2020
Contrary to reports - other than the 8 previously scheduled SEC games - we do not know our full schedule of opponents just yet - Further details to come when available. https://t.co/Wj7ldTDMdT