Jim Cantore Warns of Tornado Risk at Georgia Southern Game

Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore warned that severe weather could affect the James Madison at Georgia Southern college football game in Statesboro, Georgia, saying the matchup had the highest tornado concern among several Southeast games threatened by Hurricane Isaias.

Cantore said storms were expected to move through parts of the region, with the Georgia Southern game at Paulson Stadium presenting the greatest weather risk. The school monitored Isaias with the Sun Belt and James Madison because of possible afternoon and game-time impacts.

Cantore reviewed several games in the storm's path, including Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech and Florida, before focusing on Statesboro.

"The Georgia Southern game has the possibility of tornadoes, so that's actually my biggest fear right now," said Jim Cantore, Weather Channel meteorologist.

Cantore said weather concerns were different for the Florida game in Gainesville, where he focused on the team's performance rather than storm conditions.

"The biggest question there in Gainesville is which Gators team is going to show up, right? It's not about the weather," said Jim Cantore, Weather Channel meteorologist.

The meteorologist then returned to the conditions expected around Paulson Stadium, where storms could bring severe weather. He also described the hurricane's movement after reaching the coast.

"At that game, we have a lot of storms that could produce some severe weather with some tornadoes," said Jim Cantore, Weather Channel meteorologist.

"The storm came and went on the coast and continues to move north," said Jim Cantore, Weather Channel meteorologist.

Georgia Southern adjusted some game-day operations because of the forecast. According to the school, parking lots, tailgating and suite operations were moved from an 8 a.m. opening to noon ET on Friday, while kickoff remained scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

James Madison entered the game with a 5-0 record and a 2-0 Sun Belt Conference mark under first-year coach Billy Napier, while Georgia Southern was 2-3 after a 31-24 victory at Coastal Carolina, according to the source report.

Georgia Southern coach Clay Helton discussed the quality of James Madison before the matchup.

"When I look at them on tape, they look like a top-25 football team and are playing like it right now," said Clay Helton, Georgia Southern coach.

Hurricane Isaias also affected other college football schedules, with seven games changing dates or kickoff times, according to the report. West Florida canceled its home game against Northeastern State in Pensacola, Florida, while Rice at East Carolina moved to a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.