Grove City resident Dylan Sparks and his fiancee, Holly Graves, had long had their New Year's Eve plans mapped out.
In November, the couple — who typically ring in the new year at a Downtown party — bought tickets for the annual bash at the Hyatt Regency Columbus.
Then came the Dec. 4 announcement of the College Football Playoff teams: Ohio State, ranked No. 3, was in — and would face No. 2-ranked Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl in a semifinal game on Dec. 31.
With the matchup set to kick off after 7 p.m., the action would fall smack-dab in the middle of many central Ohioans' plans to usher in 2017.