The Southeastern Conference is keeping a close eye on the weather this week.
According to the National Weather Service in New Orleans (La.) and Dave Nussbaum, a morning meteorologist for WWLTV (CBS affiliate) in New Orleans, Tropical Storm Delta is now a Category Four Hurricane.
? 1PM CDT Update on Hurricane #Delta: Delta continues to the northwest at Category 4 strength with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. No major changes in the forecast track with impacts, some significant, possible across SE LA and S MS later this week/weekend. #lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/SPeixdS6R5
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) October 6, 2020
⚠️#BREAKING: #Delta is now a Category 4 #hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. This makes it the strongest Greek alphabet named Atlantic hurricane on record. pic.twitter.com/RFHpSdqSkN
— Dave Nussbaum (@Dave_Nussbaum) October 6, 2020
After starting in the west-central Caribbean, it will arrive in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.
In carrying winds between 130 and 140 miles per hour, Delta is the strongest Greek alphabet named Atlantic hurricane on record.
During the latter portion of this week, it is expected to curve north and impact southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi. For the University of Alabama, its football program is scheduled to play the Mississippi Rebels on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CT in Oxford, Miss.
RELATED: Alabama QB Mac Jones named Maxwell Player of the Week after huge game against Texas A&M
The last time the Crimson Tide played in a game that featured intense rain and flooding was in 2015 versus Georgia.
In the matchup dubbed “The Wash Out,” the field at Sanford Stadium was drenched. However, the impact of the weather had no negative effects on Alabama’s offense or defense. Derrick Henry rushed for 148 yards with one touchdown, Jacob Coker found Calvin Ridley (freshman then) for a score and the Tide’s defense held the Bulldogs to 10 points in a 38-10 victory on the road.
Hurricane Delta is set to brings heavy rain, coastal flooding and damaging winds; nevertheless, Alabama players said the coaching staff will have it prepared to face Ole Miss in the atmosphere.
Landon Dickerson said he looks forward to just playing football, no matter what the weather brings. The second-year starter at center for the Tide wants to get the running game going more.
As for LaBryan Ray, the defensive end said playing in the rain will make things interesting.
RELATED: Christian Barmore will ‘play more and more’ as Alabama goes, according to Nick Saban
Alabama has won its last four meetings against Ole Miss, dating back to 2016, but the Rebels got the better of the Tide in 2014 and 2015.
With it hiring Lane Kiffin as its head coach, some people feel like he will be the first former Saban pupil to defeat the teacher. As the Tide’s offensive coordinator from 2014-16, Kiffin was on three consecutive SEC Championship teams and a College Football Playoff National Championship roster in 2015. He also coached Henry to a Heisman Trophy in 2015 too.
Hopefully, the weekend will bring good vibes.
All in all, Alabama will be ready for anything that occurs.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
