ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First/WBRC) — The University of Alabama said there are currently no plans to change Saturday’s game against Georgia, though officials are monitoring the system forming in the Gulf.

Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the southwest Gulf Wednesday morning. Hurricane and storm surge watches have been issued for parts of the central Gulf Coast.

Accoding to ANF First Alert metorologists, Isaias will track through the Gulf this week and become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season.

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The system is expected to approach the middle Gulf coast Friday, and make landfall Friday night or early Saturday as a hurricane.

With the storm threatening to cause weather issues across west Alabama Saturday, University of Alabama officials said they are monitoring the forecast and staying in contact with the Southeastern Conference.

“Fans are encouraged to rely on official Alabama athletics and SEC channels for the latest information regarding Saturday’s game,” UA officials said Tuesday night.

No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Alabama are scheduled to kick off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The game is set to host ESPN College Gameday starting at 9 a.m.

WTBC 1230 AM in Tuscaloosa spotted ESPN trucks on the Alabama campus but said the program is “awaiting final confirmation for Saturday’s show.”

ESPN has not addressed the storm or announced any potential backup sites for the program. The program has never moved cities after announcing a site, but the program was forced indoors during its Week 1 broadcast at LSU due to lightning.

ESPN’s Courtney Clawson said that only severe weather would send College GameDay indoors.

“Some of the show’s most memorable moments have come on a rainy Saturday morning,” Clawson said.

“We always have contingency plans in place, as the safety of our team and fans are our top priority,” Clawson said. “Our safety and operations team has plans in place every week for situations like this.”

President Trump announced last week he would attend the game, but walked those statements back Wednesday, saying “we’ll have to see” if he attends the game.

Impacts in north Georgia

Isaias will track west of north Georgia this weekend, which will produce multiple impacts, including:

• Rain, which will be heavy at times.
• Street flooding.
• Wind gusts of at least 30 mph.
• The potential of tornadoes.

Showers will initially move into north Georgia (from the south) Friday night.

The highest impacts will be throughout the day on Saturday, and continue into early Sunday. The rain and wind is expected to move out of north Georgia by Sunday afternoon or evening. Any tornado threat will be highest very late Saturday into the early hours of Sunday.

The timing of the rain and tornadoes will impact the drive to and from Tuscaloosa along I-20.

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