Florida and LSU live to fight another day
College football is taking a hit from the coronavirus, with an outbreak in Florida, and Alabama head coach, Nick Saban, becoming the next in a line of growing head coaches to be hit by the virus.
Consequence, one of the college season’s most anticipated games has been moved to December 12, which will leave a bittersweet feeling in the mouth players, fans, pundits, and bookmakers alike. The matchup had everything a fan would want from a simmering rivalry, bad blood, lots of stakes, and a promise of endless offense. Scheduled to play on October 17th, the game was finally postponed and pushed tentatively to December 12th, after an outbreak of the coronavirus in the Gators’ camp. On Wednesday, the Athletics Director for the University of Florida, Scoot Stricklin, announced that 18 of the program’s player had tested positive for Covid-19, after reporting just five cases previously on Tuesday. Coach Dan Mullen, also confirmed that two of his assistants had contracted the virus, which culminated to the suspension of all organised football and team activities. The number of infected players meant the Gators could not meet up with 53-man roster minimum set by the SEC. The team has since upped its number of daily tests, and the infected players and staff will be expected to quarantine for at least 10 days.
In a move that will probably save fans and bookmakers some money, the postponement of the game will be a breath of fresh air for LSU who may have played without starting quarterback Myles Brennan, who was doubtful with an injury most likely suffered in the Missouri game. The last time both teams met, the Gators had the last laugh over the Tigers, a stinging loss which LSU would not mind to putting on pause to get a fully healthy squad again before avenging. The bookmakers had the Gators as clear favourites to tame the Tigers, after a convincing 2-1 start this season. The fortunes have not been as kind to LSU who is 1-2 on the season, after losing a nailbiter against Missouri on October 10.
One of the most storied rivalries in college football, there is no love lost between these two teams, and while it may not be as talented like in previous years, the fire of competition always seems to still raise the stakes and deliver a classic. Florida leads their head-to-head with 33 wins in their favour, against 30 for the Tigers. While wishing for a speedy recovery to all those infected, do circle December 12 and hold that thought and bet.
