Alabama, Georgia prepare for storm to hit Saturday's game

Tropical storm Isaias is projected to develop into a hurricane and hit the Gulf Coast as early as Friday -- potentially taking it near Bryant-Denny Stadium, the site of Saturday's game between No. 6 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia. Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer said the "level of weather" will ultimately determine the impact it has on the competition on the football field. "I'm just getting our football team ready," DeBoer said during the SEC teleconference on Wednesday. "It hasn't affected us much other than we're doing the wet ball drills and getting wet ball involved with some of our team reps, just like we did last week at times, preparing for the rain a week ago. "But I'm not really involved in too much, just updated on where things stand, if there's anything that would need to be adjusted. But I haven't heard anything recently." Neither has Georgia coach Kirby Smart, who said he doesn't have input on the logistics of the game. The SEC and Alabama both put out statements on Tuesday saying they're monitoring the weather. "My thoughts are exactly what you said: it's uncertainty beyond my control," Smart said, responding to a reporter's question. "So, we as coaches game plan for multiple situations, weather conditions when they're there. We had that same prep last week with the threat of those things. So, it doesn't change a lot about practice. You have to practice good on good. You got to practice for the long term of the season, not just for one week. "You can't really practice conditions, you can't simulate them. So, you're much better off to educate, learn from the past of other people that have played in them and prepare your team to play and not make it about that." Weather models continue to predict the path of the storm will include much of Alabama. A statement from the National Weather Service on Wednesday morning said: "Tropical Storm Isaias is located across the Southwestern Gulf and is forecast to intensify into a hurricane over the next 24 hours. Some model uncertainties still exist regarding timing, intensity, and exact track, so refinements to the forecast will continue to be applied. Central Alabama effects will include heavy rainfall and gusty winds from Friday into Saturday." "Alabama athletics is closely monitoring the weather forecast ahead of Saturday's football game vs. Georgia," a statement from UA athletics read on Tuesday. "At this time, there are no plans to alter the contest. We will continue to observe conditions throughout the week and remain in communication with the Southeastern Conference office, as needed."