/Thank Gators, Foley for ensuring 2016 SEC schedule is whole

Thank Gators, Foley for ensuring 2016 SEC schedule is whole

Florida and Foley worked tirelessly to make the Florida-LSU match happen. The game between the two teams, which was postponed last weekend due to Hurricane Matthew, will take place on Nov. 19. It will take place in Baton Rouge, not Gainesville. Each team had to purchase non-conference opponents that they were supposed to face on the day. Florida was supposed to face Presbyterian. LSU was supposed play South Alabama. Perhaps they can both play each other while they figure out how to spend their buyout money. Greg Sankey, the SEC Commissioner, made it clear that he credited Florida and Foley for making this deal possible. Sankey stated, “In the end I want to give credit the University of Florida that made concessions to move the year’s game from Baton Rouge.” LSU basically said that we’ll either play here or not. One person who was familiar with the negotiations said that “it got nasty.” Foley expressed his disappointment at LSU’s refusal of negotiations. Foley stated that while the conference office requested us to work with LSU, LSU was not a partner in our discussions. “The SEC offered other solutions and the LSU administration made clear that they were not willing to consider other reasonable alternatives.” LSU will play five of its eight SEC matches at home this season. Five of the eight league games Florida plays are on the road. Fair? Fair?