Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press
The LSU Tigers are set to open their 2017 season Saturday against the BYU Cougars in Houston’s NRG Stadium, but with now-Tropical Storm Harvey causing flooding in and around Houston, a venue change is looking very likely.
The Advocate‘s Ross Dellenger provided an update from LSU athletic director Joe Alleva about Saturday’s game:
Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger
#LSU AD Joe Alleva’s full statement, through administrator Bill Franques. https://t.co/xvZCJGboUT
This would be the second year in a row inclement weather has pushed LSU to alter its schedule.
Hurricane Matthew forced LSU and Florida to reach an agreement that saw the Tigers welcome in the Gators for a 16-10 defeat last November. Since the Gators lost what would’ve been a home game, they’ll get to host LSU in back-to-back years (2017 and 2018).
In a tweet providing a forecast for the rainfall expected over the next week, the National Weather Service said Harvey is “unprecedented” and “beyond anything experienced”:
NWS @NWS
This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced. Follow orders from officials to ensure safety. #Harvey https://t.co/IjpWLey1h8
NWS Houston tweeted some residents can expect 10 to 25 inches of rain over the next five days. According to the National Weather Service, 10.34 inches was Houston’s previous record for the highest single-day rainfall.
Before LSU and BYU are set to face off, the Houston Texans are scheduled to play the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in NRG Stadium. The team announced Saturday it’s still determining whether Harvey will impact the game.