Could soaring COVID-19 numbers mean reduced capacity at Alabama football games?

COVID-19 numbers may lead to Alabama football games played in front of reduced crowds.

Alabama football games may not be played in front of full-capacity crowds this year if the state does not get its COVID-19 numbers under control.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said on Tuesday to Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News that COVID-19 hospitalization and vaccination numbers are not where they need to be. He urges everyone to get vaccinated. While the university has not had serious discussions about reduced capacity crowds, that could potentially be on the horizon.

Alabama football: Soaring COVID numbers may cause reduced-capacity crowds

Nick Saban said his team was among the SEC teams to be above the 85 percent vaccination threshold at SEC Media Days in July. He’s been an advocate for the vaccine, before and after he was diagnosed with COVID last fall, resulting in him missing a game.

The rest of the state has not followed his message, despite being the most powerful person in the state, with all due respect to Governor Kay Ivey.

Even though the Crimson Tide are favored to win the SEC again and get back to the College Football Playoff, they have to protect Bryant-Denny Stadium at all costs. It would be a shame if his team cannot be boosted by a rowdy Bryant-Denny crowd when major division rivals like LSU and Ole Miss come to town.

Alabama will be a strong team, but reduced home crowds will be a big competitive disadvantage.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.