College Football Playoff updates forfeiture rules, other policies due to Omicron, COVID-19

As a result of the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the College Football Playoff has announced new forfeiture rules and other changes ahead of their Dec. 31 semifinal games in Dallas and Miami.

Alabama is scheduled to play Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl in the 3:30 p.m. ET slot on ESPN, and that game will be followed by the Orange Bowl between Michigan and Georgia at 7:30 p.m. ET on the same channel.

But should COVID-19 disrupt that plan, the College Football Playoff management committee announced updated rules and regulations related to potential forfeitures and other issues.

The updated forfeiture rules for the semifinal games are as follows:

1. If one team is unavailable to play, that team will have to forfeit the game. The opponent would advance to the national championship game.
2. If both teams are unavailable to play, the game will be a no contest event. The winner of the other semifinal game would be named the national champion.
3. If three teams are unavailable to play, the semifinal game with zero available participants will be a no contest event. The third team would forfeit, and the available team they were supposed to play would be named the national champion.
4. The national championship game in Indianapolis will not be pushed back further than Jan. 14. If one team cannot play after winning their semifinal game, they will forfeit and the opponent will be the national champion. If both cannot play, the game will be a no contest event, and the CFP National Championship will be vacated for this season.

Including in the press release was a statement from CFP executive director Bill Hancock: “As we prepare for the Playoff, it’s wise and necessary to put into place additional precautions to protect those who will play and coach the games. These policies will better protect our students and staffs while providing clarity in the event worst-case scenarios result.”

Dennis Dodd of CBS was the first to report that Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Cincinnati are being given the option to arrive on Dec. 29 instead of the previously scheduled Dec. 26 date. Additionally, all media availability with players and coaches will be virtual.

Georgia is currently dealing with its own COVID-19 problems, as both quarterback JT Daniels and wide receiver George Pickens have both reportedly tested positive in the last 24 hours. 

Fiesta, Peach Bowl rule included

The management committee also included updated rules for the Fiesta and Peach bowls. In the event that one of the four teams involved — Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Michigan State or Pittsburgh — cannot play, the CFP, the bowl game and ESPN would try to find an alternate date for the game within one week of the scheduled date. The Peach Bowl is Dec. 30, while the Fiesta Bowl is Jan. 1.

If they cannot find a date, the game will be a no contest.