CFP Committee - SemiFinals will not be rescheduled. If a team can't play, it forfeits

Submitted by Lionsfan on December 22nd, 2021 at 2:13 PM

Just announced on Twitter and their website -

 

The following are the policies for the Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl and Peach Bowl if an institution determines that it is unable to compete in the game because an insufficient number of athletes are available to play because of COVID-19. 
 

  1. Fiesta and Peach Bowls – The CFP, bowl game and ESPN shall attempt to identify an alternate date for the game within one week of the scheduled date; if no date can be identified, the game would be considered no contest.

  2. Playoff Semifinals (Cotton and Orange Bowls) if one team is unavailable to play – The unavailable team shall forfeit the game and its opponent would advance to the national championship game.

  3. Playoff Semifinals (Cotton and Orange Bowls) if both teams are unavailable to play in one semifinal – The semifinal game would be declared "no contest" and the team winning the other semifinal game would be declared the CFP National Champion.

  4. Playoff Semifinals (Cotton and Orange Bowls) if three teams are unavailable to play – The semifinal game in which two teams are unable to play would be declared "no contest." In the other semifinal game, the team unable to play shall forfeit the game and its opponent would be declared CFP National Champion.

  5. CFP National Championship – If the team's unavailability is determined after the Playoff Semifinals have been conducted, the national championship game in Indianapolis may be rescheduled to no later than Friday, January 14. If one team is able to play and the other is not and the game cannot be rescheduled or is rescheduled and cannot be played, then the team unable to play shall forfeit the game and the other team shall be declared CFP National Champion. If both teams are unable to play on either an original or rescheduled date, then the game shall be declared "no contest" and the CFP National Championship shall be vacated for this season.
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MRunner73

December 22nd, 2021 at 4:09 PM ^

My take is after the conference championship game, have a bye week then play the semis. Postpone all of these awards ceremonies until after the CFP championship games has been played so sometime in January. The CFP championship game can then be played no later than New Year's day.

Given the B1G game was played on Dec 4th, so there is a 27 day break until the CFP semi's, cut that in half.

Joined: 11/11/2018

MGoPoints: 16883

stephenrjking

December 22nd, 2021 at 2:16 PM ^

I guess they need to have some kind of policy.

And hopefully all three games are played.

But, man... that would be an unsatisfying way to end the season. I guess if we win by double-forfeit it's pretty cool, but... not at all like winning on the field.

 

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143862

Caesar

December 22nd, 2021 at 4:38 PM ^

Exactly this--but also a potential combination of the ideas.

Let's say Georgia is hell-bent on glossing over their actual issues, but they knowingly cover it up. For various reasons, including illness to at least some players, Georgia loses.

Michigan is a team that takes testing seriously. So in its compliance, Michigan self-reports and can't play even a rescheduled final game. 

The CFB Playoff COVID solution is only really effective, with these types of incentives in mind, if it mandates 3rd-Party testing, maybe through the NCAA or whatever. 

Joined: 03/25/2009

MGoPoints: 7708

Real Tackles Wear 77

December 22nd, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^

Hoping it doesn't come down to this, but if we have to win a CFP National Title because of UGA and the finals opponent forfeiting, I will not apologize nor will I play into the OSU/MSU fans hands by allowing that it's anything less than a legit national title. If the shoe were on the other foot they would be hanging that banner regardless.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 9688

Real Tackles Wear 77

December 22nd, 2021 at 2:35 PM ^

A national title is a national title. Of course it wouldn't "feel right" but college football is not played for my feelings or yours. If we were to win it through the same rules that apply to everyone, we will hang that banner and get to claim the title forever, and nothing any rival fanbase would be able to take that away. Leave it to the jealous fans of other teams to try and lessen that.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 9688

jhayes1189

December 22nd, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^

Objectively speaking, if we “won” because of 2 forfeits, this would be no better than the mythical National Championships decided solely by the polls. In fact a step below to everyone outside of the UM fan base, and we would say the same to any opposing team who won in this way, especially a rival. We want to win this FOR REAL, to destroy the SEC narrative by taking down both teams in succession to our National Championship. Winning in this way would only rally up the SEC slappys and the narrative would be a mythic national championship, and they would be mostly right. 
 

This would be a total disappointment. I’m sorry, but a virus which has almost virtually zero effect on anyone of the age group of college players is completely affecting every aspect of their lives, as well as mildly affecting the lives of fans, especially ones that have spent TONS of money to get to Miami already. The measures that are taken (in so many instances, not just this one) are pure PR posturing, and everyone willing to see it, knows it. I will take the downvotes as I know that is not a popular opinion to the many posters on this board who have allowed Covid to rule every aspect of life. Also, aren’t the vaccines supposed to stop the spread and it’s effects, especially to those vaccinated? Which everyone on the UM team is if I’m not mistaken, and probably most of the players on the other teams. Can anyone else have the balls to say we are living in madness right now completely lacking in real sense? 
 

I’d rather us play and lose to an SEC team than “ beat” them in a forfeit. And of course I hope they play and beat them on the field. All that said, this has been a great season for the fans, but for those of us who live in SEC country, we would love to see the narrative of a weak Michigan and BiG10 and vastly superior SEC actually squashed. Win or die trying. 

Joined: 10/04/2021

MGoPoints: 6552

M-Dog

December 22nd, 2021 at 8:15 PM ^

People still talk about the great Army teams of the 1940s.  But that's because they were the only ones to have fully stocked teams in the WWII era.

Doesn't matter, people still talk about them.  They forget / don't care about the details.

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257507

Go Blue in MN

December 22nd, 2021 at 3:44 PM ^

Winning this way would be very different than 1997.  In 1997, every team played every game on their schedule, and except for some coaches that wanted to give Tom Osborne a retirement present, we were the consensus #1 team.  We were the best.

Were we to win by forfeit, yes it's still a national title and no one could take it away, but we couldn't make the claim that we proved it on the field like we did in 1997. 

Joined: 09/28/2013

MGoPoints: 7488

M-Dog

December 22nd, 2021 at 4:58 PM ^

Nebraska "won" a share of the '97 national title by also being undefeated like us, because the refs did not call an illegal kick of the ball in their game against Colorado. 

It should have been our title outright.

But nobody feels sorry for us about that.  So I won't feel sorry for Georgia or Alabama if we win on their forfeits.

A lot of planets have to align to win a national championship.  I don't care if one of them is because the opponent is not ready to play and we are.

  

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257507