The dates for the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals are set in stone.
The matchups are lined up with Notre Dame preparing to take on Penn State in the Orange Bowl on January 9, followed by Ohio State clashing with Texas in the Cotton Bowl on January 10. But doubt was cast over the schedule due to the recent terror attack in New Orleans, postponing the Sugar Bowl featuring Notre Dame and Georgia by a day.
This delay has given Penn State – a team that faced Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on December 31 – an unexpected rest advantage against Notre Dame, who played Georgia on January 2. The delay led to speculation of the CFP committee considering a schedule change, with the Orange Bowl possibly moving to January 10.
But Rich Clark, the CFP’s executive director, has confirmed the schedule will not be changed. He told ESPN: “Were not going to flip the games. The concession we made with the athletic directors was to start the Sugar Bowl earlier – an 18-hour or so delay.
“We slipped the game 18 hours to ensure we could provide safety and security for teams, coaches, staffs, fans and others involved. NOLA and Sugar Bowl officials were amazing.”
Clark continued: “Logistics are very complicated, disruptive to the other teams involved that have schedules in place, especially Texas and Ohio State. Fans have made arrangements already, and this creates issues for them. Theres more, but these are some of the major points.”
The Orange Bowl is set to continue as planned on January 9, leaving the Fighting Irish with a two-day rest disadvantage. But considering all four teams that received first-round byes lost this week, it might not be such a disadvantage after all. Moreover, after its unexpected victory over Georgia, Notre Dame is feeling confident and ready to take on any opponent.
Southeastern Conference (SEC) Commissioner Greg Sankey had asked CFP chiefs if the dates of the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl could be switched. “This is not an SEC-related issue; its for both teams,” Sankey said. “I also know that the communities have dates, they have plans, there are stadium availability issues that can arise.”
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