Clemson Cream Georgia Tech

October 20, 2020
Clemson registered a lopsided victory over Georgia Tech; Saban leads Alabama to win after recent positive COVID-19 test
Sports NewsFootball
Clemson Cream Georgia Tech
SOURCE: UA ATHLETICS/COLLEGIATE IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

The GIST: Week seven of college football action featured some thrilling upsets, but two games truly left us in disbelief. One because of a super lopsided score, the other because of a coach’s startling, speedy return from a positive COVID-19 test. We’re still shook.

Let’s start with the lopsided score: No 1. Clemson has been one of the few teams to rely on throughout this upset-filled season. The undefeated Tigers continued their winning ways by scoring a whopping 73 (!!!) points in a no-doubter 73–7 win over Georgia Tech. Sheesh.

And what about the coach?: Amidst preparations for his Crimson Tide’s highly anticipated Saturday matchup against rival Georgia, Alabama head coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Everyone rightfully expected Saban to be quarantined for the game, but (somehow) Saban registered three negative tests in three days and coached Alabama to a dominant 41–24 victory.

How is that even possible?: Thanks to the SEC quietly changing their COVID-19 policies surrounding potential false positive tests, Saban’s three negatives enabled his return. Alabama doctors determined that Saban’s initial positive test was a false positive result and cleared the asymptomatic coach to return to the field.

  • With Saturday’s win, Alabama maintains their undefeated record and No. 2 spot in the top 25 rankings. And Saban’s super rare false positive test will simply be remembered as another dramatic turn in this wild college football season.