South Carolina moving home game against LSU to Baton Rouge due to flooding

With devastating floods still impacting the area around Columbia, S.C., the University of South Carolina has moved its scheduled football game Saturday against LSU to Baton Rouge (3:30 p.m., ESPN).

The school announced the change Wednesday after "consultation with state and local officials, law enforcement, the SEC and LSU."

“Yesterday, we made the extremely difficult decision to cancel classes for the week due to the stress 34,000 students would place on the region’s recovering infrastructure, there is no doubt 85,000 fans would exact the same toll,” South Carolina president Harris Pastides said in a release. “In the spirit of supporting our South Carolina community that is so supportive of Gamecock Nation, we have decided to move the game to Baton Rouge. The stress on law enforcement and first responders is too great. Moreover, we’ve had many in the Carolina family directly impacted by the flooding.”

At least 15 people have died since severe thunderstorms hit the state. Classes at the South Carolina have been canceled for the week.

Residents of 1,000 more homes urged to flee South Carolina floods

Talks had been ongoing this week about whether the game would be played in Columbia, Baton Rouge or perhaps a neutral site in the region like Jacksonville or Charlotte.

It is unclear whether South Carolina will get an additional home game in future years to make up for moving it to Baton Rouge this year. LSU is not scheduled to play South Carolina again until 2020 in the SEC's schedule rotation.

Though No. 5 LSU would be a heavy favorite over South Carolina in any venue, getting five SEC home games this season could be perceived as a slight edge in the tight SEC West race.

The Gamecocks will practice in South Carolina before leaving Friday for the game.

“On behalf of the South Carolina football team we want to do the right thing and do what is best for all concerned,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said in a statement. “It appears the best thing is to travel to LSU. We look forward to the challenge and competing against the Tigers in Baton Rouge on Saturday.”