The College Football Playoff committee has indicated that there will be no changes made to the kickoff dates or times for the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl, which would have allowed Notre Dame additional time to recover between games.
Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey had requested the CFP to consider altering the schedule, given that Notre Dame will have a tighter turnaround than Penn State before their upcoming Orange Bowl on Thursday. This situation arose as a result of Notre Dame’s quarterfinal match being delayed by a day due to a tragic terror incident.
Rich Clark, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, stated on Friday that no adjustments will be made to the game times. He explained that a previous concession was made by starting the Sugar Bowl about 18 hours earlier. Clark highlighted the need to prioritize safety and security for all involved in the event, remarking on the remarkable cooperation from the officials in New Orleans and from Sugar Bowl organizers.
Notre Dame secured its place in the next round with a 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl held on Thursday, while Penn State achieved a win over Boise State, finishing 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday night.
Sankey remarked that his inquiry about flipping the game schedules was not just an SEC matter but was relevant for both teams involved. He acknowledged that local communities have established plans and schedules that can complicate the arrangements, particularly with the available slots in stadiums needing to be considered.
The Cotton Bowl is set to feature Texas and Ohio State on January 10. Clark emphasized the complexities and disruptions that scheduling changes would create for other teams, especially those with established plans like Texas and Ohio State. He pointed out that fans have already made their arrangements, and altering the schedules could lead to significant complications. The logistical challenges were among several factors that contributed to the decision to maintain the original game times.
