Tag: Nick Saban COVId

A look at Saturday’s SEC ‘rivalry week’ schedule

According to the SEC’s conference-only schedule, it’s rivalry week. Here are the matchups, including when, where and how to watch.

According to the SEC’s conference-only schedule, it’s rivalry week.

The slate includes six games, including No. 9 Georgia (5-2) at South Carolina (2-6) at 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

I don’t see the Gamecocks as a rival, but in leu of this crazy year, I guess it just flows with all the other unusual going on.

Here are the other matchups this week, just three-weeks before the SEC Championship game on Dec 19.

  • Kentucky (3-5) at No. 6 Florida (6-1) at noon ET on ESPN.
  • Vanderbilt (0-7) at Missouri (3-3) at noon ET on SEC Network.
  • No. 22 Auburn (5-2) at No. 1 Alabama (7-0) at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
  • Mississippi State (2-5) at Ole Miss (3-4) at 4:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
  • LSU (3-3) at No. 5 Texas A&M ( 6-1) at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

I’m keeping my eye on Auburn, traveling to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama without Nick Saban on the field due to positive COVID testing and LSU, going to College Station as an underdog to face a good but inconsistent Texas A&M team.

You never know what could happen in a late-season SEC matchup, so it should be a fun day of football.

Dawgs, make sure you’re caught up on all things Georgia football before the game! I breakdown it all, including JT Daniels’ big performance and what it means for UGA in 2021 in this week’s episode of UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton. Listen here:

Nick Saban posts third negative COVID test, cleared to coach Georgia vs Alabama game

Alabama head coach Nick Saban has tested negative for coronavirus for the third consecutive time and will coach the Georgia vs Alabama game.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban has posted his third consecutive negative COVID test and therefore has been cleared to coach the Crimson Tide in tonight’s Georgia vs Alabama game.

Set to take his place was offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

So it looks like Georgia will take on a Saban coached Tide after all.

Nick Saban gets second negative COVID test, trending towards coaching

Alabama head coach Nick Saban got his second negative COVID-19 test. It looks like he’s trending towards coaching against Georgia.

Alabama fans received some excellent news on Saturday morning. Head coach Nick Saban has tested negative for COVID-19 for the second time after testing positive on Wednesday.

That means he’s only one test away from being able to participate as an active coach on the sidelines for Saturday night’s game against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Considering this is the most important game of Alabama’s regular season, having Saban on the sidelines is extremely important. He’s considered a top-notch coach when it comes to adjustments, and his presence allows offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to remain in his normal role.

The news of Saban’s second negative test came on by Tom Rinaldi on ESPN’s College GameDay, and it was shared by many different outlets on social media.

Ever since the initial test came back positive, Saban has continued to reiterate that he has been completed asymptomatic.

“I’m completely asymptomatic. Feel fine,” Saban said on a Zoom call with the media on Wednesday evening. “Our medical officials have told me as long as I remain asymptomatic, I will have a daily PCR testing per SEC protocol to confirm the initial positive. I found this out at about one o’clock today. I came home and informed our team by Zoom.”

If that third test comes back negative, we’ll get to see this showdown happen as it was originally attended: Nick Saban vs. former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!

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Desmond Howard believes Nick Saban will be on the sidelines this Saturday

College GameDay’s Desmond Howard believes that Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban will be on the field for their matchup with UGA.

College GameDay’s Desmond Howard believes that Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban will be on the sidelines for his team’s game against the Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday. Nick Saban, who has tested positive for COVID-19, is currently coaching the Crimson Tide remotely.

Desmond Howard did not cite a reason for Nick Saban being able to coach from the field. If Saban’s test was a false positive, then it is possible that he’d be able to return. He’d have to pass several more tests to confirm that his original test was a false positive.

Nick Saban could theoretically wear a mask and social distance from his team and not transmit the virus, but that would be risky for student athletes and may go against established protocol. The Alabama head coach is asymptomatic.

Desmond Howard, a former Michigan Wolverines player, famously won the Heisman Trophy in 1991. Howard has won a Super Bowl MVP award as well.

Here’s his Tweet where he stated his prediction:

It is hard to imagine Alabama football without Nick Saban on the sidelines. Nick Saban began his Alabama coaching career in 2007 and has helped the Crimson Tide establish a dynasty.

We remain skeptical that Saban will be able to coach in the game. Howard’s hypothesis seems more like a conspiracy than a reality for the time being. Still, Desmond Howard could have an inside scoop about the Crimson Tide head coch.

Saban’s not allowed virtual communication with the team either. Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will be the interim coach against No. 3 ranked Georgia.

Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban shakes hands with Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart before the 2018 CFP national championship college football game. Kevin Jairaj via USA TODAY Sports

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Twitter reacts to Nick Saban contracting COVID-19

The Twitter world reacts to Alabama football head coach contracting COVID-19 just days before game against Georgia football.

On Wednesday afternoon, Alabama football head coach Nick Saban, as well as Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne tested positive for COVID-19, reported by ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi.

No statements have been released on the status of Saturday night’s game between No. 3 Georgia and No. 2 Alabama.  Kickoff is still scheduled for 8:00 P.M. ET and is expected to go on as long as more positive tests don’t come back these next couple of days.

Her is how the college football Twitter world reacted to the breaking news:

 

Alabama HC Nick Saban tests positive for COVID-19

BREAKING: Alabama head coach Nick Saban tests positive for COVID-19, what that means for Georgia football.

Breaking news has come out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Alabama football head coach Nick Saban, as well as Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne have tested positive for COVID-19, per ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi.

This is a major shakeup for the college football world as Georgia was scheduled to play the Crimson Tide this Saturday in a heavyweight showdown.

Reports say that both Saban and Byrne left the facility immediately and are now quarantining in their homes.  Saban announced that offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will act as head coach while Saban works from home.

“I found out earlier this afternoon that I had tested positive for COVID-19. I immediately left work and isolated at home. At this time, I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID,” Saban released in his statement today. “I informed our team of my positive test at 2 p.m. today on a Zoom call and let them know offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee preparations at the complex while I work from home.”

There have been positive player tests at Ole Miss, who Alabama beat last week, and the SEC has already bumped two games this week due to COVID-19 outbreaks.  The Missouri vs Vanderbilt game and the Florida vs LSU game will both be played the week of December 12 due to positive tests at Florida and Vanderbilt.  Nineteen players tested positive for Florida.

No statements have been released on the status of Saturday night’s game between Georgia and Alabama.