It’s been a heavy news day on the COVID front for the SEC, and it could end up affecting Tennessee this time around. Texas A&M has paused practice after “a couple of positive tests,” Jimbo Fisher announced today.
Tennessee and Texas A&M are scheduled to play in Knoxville on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Jimbo Fisher announces A&M has paused practice activities for Monday due to "a couple of positive cases"
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) November 9, 2020
Fisher says entire team will re-test today. By "a couple" it's my understanding that the number of players affected is, in fact, currently sitting at two. Today's test results should be telling. Needless to say, status of A&M/Tennessee game is up in the air.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) November 9, 2020
According to the University, one student-athlete and one student worker have tested positive. Both made the trip to South Carolina over the weekend.
Additionally, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman tested positive this morning for COVID-19. This is obviously notable for Tennessee after playing in Fayetteville over the weekend.
Sam Pittman has tested positive for COVID-19, per Arkansas
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 9, 2020
LSU is also battling a COVID outbreak this week ahead of a matchup with Alabama this weekend.
Mississippi State and Auburn have already postponed their matchup this week.
The Auburn at Mississippi State football game of November 14 has been postponed due to positive tests and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Mississippi State football program. The game has been tentatively rescheduled for Dec. 12.
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) November 9, 2020
The SEC has already moved the schedule around a few times, shifting games around after outbreaks at Florida and Vanderbilt. It’s entirely possible that we could see the league take similar action here with Tennessee-Texas A&M and Alabama-LSU.
The SEC left an open date in between the final week of the season and the SEC Championship Game with hopes of adding flexibility to the schedule. If Tennessee-Texas A&M is moved, it will go to that week.
Stay tuned for those updated test results coming out of College Station.