The Southeastern Conference has confirmed the news, the Missouri-Vanderbilt game set to be played this weekend in Columbia has been postponed.

The reason for the postponement? Vanderbilt does not have the required number of scholarship players to play in the game.

Leading up to the start of the season, the SEC announced the league would require teams to have 53 scholarship players ready to play in order to compete on game day. In addition to having 53 players available, the SEC mandated that each team one quarterback, seven offensive linemen and four defensive linemen ready to play on game day.

Vanderbilt is not able to meet that threshold for the upcoming Missouri game.

For now, the Missouri-Vanderbilt game in Columbia is set to be played on Dec. 12, but the league notes that date is “tentatively” scheduled.

Here is the statement issued by the SEC:

“The Vanderbilt at Missouri football game of October 17 has been postponed due to positive tests and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Vanderbilt football program, consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 management requirements. The game is tentatively rescheduled for December 12 in Columbia.”

Vanderbilt has also issued a statement on the situation in Nashville:

Due to a lack of available scholarship student-athletes, the Oct. 17 football game at Missouri will be postponed to a later date. The action is consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 management requirements developed by the SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force, which includes a minimum threshold of at least 53 scholarship student-athletes available to participate. The shortage of available scholarship student-athletes is due to the quarantining of individuals with positive tests and those designated as close contacts, along with injuries and opt-outs.

“The league and universities have been prepared for the likelihood of disruptions within the season while we all navigate the various challenges and complexities of competing during a global pandemic. As always, we are committed to taking whatever steps necessary for the health and safety of our students and community,” said Candice Lee, Vanderbilt’s vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director.

“While we share in the disappointment that this Saturday’s game will be postponed, our program is deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts put forth by student-athletes, university officials, conference administrators and medical experts who have risen to the challenge of helping us navigate these unprecedented circumstances,” said head coach Derek Mason. “The safety and well-being of our student-athletes will remain a top priority as we continue the season, and we look forward to returning to competition.”

The process for rescheduling the Oct. 17 game at Missouri is underway in partnership with conference officials.