If any of the four College Football Playoff teams is unable to play on Dec. 31 due to a COVID-19 outbreak, they will be forced to forfeit the semifinal and their opponent will advance to the national championship, according to a new set of policies released Wednesday.
With the omicron variant causing a significant spike in coronavirus cases and disrupting schedules in every sport, the CFP’s updated guidelines will allow teams to travel to their semifinal site on Dec. 29, just two days before the game, instead of Dec. 26.
But the most significant revelation from the updated protocols is that there will be no opportunity for the semifinals to be rescheduled if teams are dealing with outbreaks.