College football fans react to scenarios shared by playoff organizers
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — WISH-TV is proud to be the official local broadcast partner of the 2022 College Football Playoff Indianapolis Host Committee.
On Wednesday, the playoff management committee shared COVID-19 contingency plans for the National Football Playoff championship game that will be played in Indianapolis on Jan. 10.
College football fans in the Circle City were fired up after hearing the news.
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Jewel Flitcraft said she worries the COVID-19 contingency plans announced by the committee could give some teams an unfair advantage. “I could go on and on about the fact that I’m happy that Cincinnati gets a chance because then the arguments will be brought about ‘Well, why would Alabama get bumped, or some other top 5 team?’ but, God forbid, it’s Cincinnati that has the breakthrough case and then they get bumped down.”
Here’s how the committee said it’s preparing to manage the pandemic during the playoffs.
If a team in the semifinals can’t play because of COVID-19, that team will forfeit and the other will move on.
If both teams can’t play, the team winning the other semifinal would be declared the national champion.
If three of the four teams can’t play, the one that can will be declared national champion.
If a team makes it to the national championship and ends up not being able to play, the game can be rescheduled, but no later than Jan. 14.
If a team still can’t play, they will forfeit and the other team will be crowned national champion.
If neither team can play due to the virus, there will be no national champion this year.
Sports fan Aaron Brandenberger said, “It’s definitely frustrating as an athlete. It’s really annoying if you get punished because of your team, especially if you test negative.”
Brandenberger says, although football is a team sport, he doesn’t think the whole team should take the hit. “I don’t think it should affect you if you don’t have it.”
The committee also on Wednesday announced enhanced safety measures for players. Some of those include strict testing protocols, optional attendance at bowl events, and virtual media access.