The college football game between Alabama and Georgia is likely going to be played as scheduled. The most vicious rain from Hurricane Isaias is likely going to clear out of the region before kickoff.
There are contingency plans in place.
Kirby Smart revealed what could happen if the weather forecast puts the college football game at risk. However, that no longer seems to be an issue.
Tropical storm Isaias is now a hurricane.
Isaias officially strengthened into a hurricane on Wednesday night. The first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 is spinning toward the southeastern United States with landfall expected on Friday afternoon.
As of Thursday morning, Isaias sat ~400 miles to the southwest of the Mississippi River. It was moving northeast at eight miles per hours with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, and getting stronger. The National Hurricane Center predicts the storm will bring up to 10 inches of rain to some areas before it turns hard north when it hits the Gulf Coast. The good news is that it is not expected to hover over already-inundated areas after making landfall and will move quickly over land.
That is a great thing for college football games in the Southeastern Conference. Especially the primetime matchup between No. 6 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia.
With kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT, Hurricane Isaias was originally on track to hammer Tuscaloosa during the game. That no longer appears to be a concern. The rapid pace of the storm will likely push the heaviest rain out of the region before kickoff.
Highly-respected meteorologist James Spann issued the following update on Thursday morning:
“The weather looks favorable for Saturday night’s Alabama/Georgia game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. …Lingering clouds, an outside risk of a passing shower or two, and winds less than 15 mph.”
It seems like the crisis is adverted. However, there are plans in place if the forecast suddenly swings back the other way.
Kirby Smart revealed the contingency plans for the Alabama-Georgia college football game.
The University of Alabama released a statement on Wednesday night. The administration continues to work alongside the conference, its opponent and local weather experts to ensure the game can be played on time and without issue.
“Alabama Athletics continues to closely monitor the weather forecast ahead of Saturday’s football game, with the safety and well-being of the student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans as our highest priority. We remain in close communication with the National Weather Service, the Southeastern Conference and the University of Georgia as we observe conditions.”
Kickoff is still scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT “at this time.” That could change but it no longer seems like a concern.
Kirby Smart, head coach of Georgia, revealed what could happen if the forecast calls for nasty weather. The game was unlikely to be moved out of Tuscaloosa. The time of kickoff was going to be moved forward or backward depending on the timing.
“As far as I’ve heard, there were some options on different kick times on Saturday as they looked at the different weather models but it sounds like the storm is moving fast and rapidly and it could be out before kickoff.”
Heavy rain is still going to fall in the morning. Tailgating will probably be a washout. The game itself is on track. There might be some lingering showers, or even a downpour, and winds are going to gust around 20-35 mph but the strongest wind and strongest rain will be long gone.
Of course, weather is weather. Nobody really knows anything until it happens. This is just the latest update. Stay tuned for more.