The SEC West showdown between Alabama and LSU scheduled for this weekend is in trouble because of an outbreak of Covid-19 in Baton Rouge, according to multiple reports.
Ed Orgeron confirmed as much during his press conference today.
Multiple players, including starters, will be unavailable, coach Ed Orgeron said on Monday. Some have tested positive while the majority are out as a result of contact tracing.
The school has been in contact with the SEC office as they continue to monitor the situation. But, as of Monday morning, the game against Alabama was still set to be played.
Orgeron called it a “fluid situation” heading into the next round of testing on Tuesday, but would not provide the exact number of players who will be missing.
“It’s going to be challenging with the guys that are out,” Orgeron said.
The SEC requires teams to have at least 53 scholarship athletes available for all games, though games can be canceled even if teams have more available players is a specific position group is hit particularly hard where it would make the game “unsafe.” This is generally the offensive and defensive lines.