It’s probably not a good idea to play one of those games with adult beverages where you take a drink when you hear key words.
This weekend during the SEC slate of games, if one were to partake, the words “muggy,” “IV,” “hydration” and “cramps” should be enough to intoxicate even the meanest Russian.
On Thursday night, at least one dozen South Carolina players reportedly received fluids from IVs. Connor Mitch, Pharoh Cooper and Deebo Samuel, among others, suffered from cramps.
As many as seven of Saturday’s SEC games could feature kickoff temperatures of at least 90 degrees. Several kickoff cities will experience at least a chance of showers, so those hoping for a break when it comes to humidity will be forlorn.
Last year, five different SEC games got delayed, canceled or called early due to lightning early in the season. The most prominent opportunity for that to happen this year is in Athens, Ga., where the Bulldogs host Louisiana-Monroe.
Fortunately, three of these games take place in stadiums with closed or retractable roofs.
Ironically, The Swamp should feature the least-swampy conditions of any SEC kickoff. Coach Jim McElwain will make his debut with temperatures in the 70s and a slight chance of rain.
Check out the complete kickoff forecast below.
| Game | Time | Stadium | Weather/Temp/Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| UL-Monroe at Georgia | Noon | Sanford Stadium | Scattered T-storms, 81 deg. 45% chance of rain |
| UT-Martin at Ole Miss | Noon | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium | Partly cloudy, 90 deg. 15% chance of rain |
| UTEP at Arkansas | 3:30 p.m. | DWR Razorback Stadium | Partly cloudy, 88 deg. 0% chance of rain |
| Louisville vs. Auburn* | 3:30 p.m. | Georgia Dome | Scattered T-storms, 85 deg. 45% chance of rain |
| SEMO at Missouri | 4 p.m. | Faurot Field | Mostly cloudy, 92 deg. 0% chance of rain |
| Bowling Green vs. Tennessee | 4 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | Partly cloudy, 93 deg. 0% chance of rain |
| Arizona State vs. Texas A&M* | 7 p.m. | NRG Stadium | Partly cloudy, 89 deg. 20% chance of rain |
| UL-Lafayette at Kentucky | 7 p.m. | Commonwealth Stadium | Mostly cloudy, 88 deg. 15% chance of rain |
| McNeese State at LSU | 7:30 p.m. | Tiger Stadium | Mostly cloudy, 84 deg. 20% chance of rain |
| New Mexico State at Florida | 7:30 p.m. | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | Mostly cloudy, 77 deg. 15% chance of rain |
| Wisconsin vs. Alabama* | 8 p.m. | AT&T Stadium | Partly cloudy, 91 deg. 0% chance of rain |
| Miss. State at Southern Miss | 10 p.m. | M.M. Roberts Stadium | Partly cloudy, 78 deg. 15% chance of rain |
All forecasts are based on Weather.com and all times ET.
*Indoor stadiums
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
