For a while now, there has been a gap during this time so that the players can take their finals and finish the semester. It hasn't always been 14 days, but it's usually around 10. Then, they will catch up some before and after Christmas.
I know that's the excuse given, but no other SEC team goes 14 days during this stretch with no games. The most any other team goes is 10 days, with most teams having at least 1 games in between.