CFP teams don’t have to arrive until 12/29
Sounds like the rules have been changed about when the semi finalist teams have to show up because of COVID. Instead of being at their respective bowl sites by Dec. 26 they can show up by the 29th. Perhaps the teams might be insulated being on an empty campus. Also, all media is going to be done virtually instead of in person.
https://saturdaytradition.com/michigan-football/report-college-football-playoff-alters-travel-media-schedules-due-to-covid-19/amp/
December 22nd, 2021 at 9:12 PM ^
Ablauf said earlier today that M is sticking to the pre-omicron travel plans.
The wolverines have no fear of losing their lower horns to Lrrr
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:40 PM ^
I saw a pic on a Facebook group someone took of the team equipment truck already enroute. They may be committed to getting there on that schedule
December 23rd, 2021 at 7:45 AM ^
December 23rd, 2021 at 9:30 AM ^
Observe the speed limit and avoid cop-magnets like truck stops and drive-thrus. Put on a good podcast series and you'll do those 5 hours standing on your head.
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^
No truck stop hookers?
December 23rd, 2021 at 10:23 AM ^
But can they actually stop it first? They are from Ohio after all.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:44 PM ^
That's fine (IMO) for the guys who are going to suit up.
But I'd be splitting the travel party and bringing a second group down on the 29th.
No one wants to be the person to fuck it up...but I've been to Miami at 23. And let me tell you, if I knew I wasn't playing in the game? All I had to do was make it to the stadium on time and cheer my guys on? Whew, y'all would have to lock me in the room cause I'd be ready to risk it ALL for what they've got down there.
You already have to worry about catching something in Miami, what's one more obstacle?
(I'm joking)
(Kinda, good lord they've got some sightseeing in that city)
December 23rd, 2021 at 9:54 AM ^
lol, logged in to upvote ya! Never been to Miami (and now soon to be 36); sightseeing you say?
December 23rd, 2021 at 9:56 AM ^
"i've been to miami at 23"
STORY TIME
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:20 PM ^
I went to Miami when I was roughly 23 years old with a group of guys. It was the first, and I still think only, time in my life when I checked into a hotel and then got a call from the front desk asking if I needed any girls to come up to the room. I was like ".....no....?" So what I'm saying is, it's not the Midwest down there.
December 23rd, 2021 at 2:15 PM ^
I’ve definitely seen this for regular season games but a playoff might be different. I once had a teammate blow his entire meal money per diem on a hooker in Hawai’i. He didn’t eat for a couple days. But even he wouldn’t fuck around if it was a playoff game against a tough opponent.
December 22nd, 2021 at 9:24 PM ^
Prolly super easy to bubble and control everything in a hotel.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:38 PM ^
18-ish to 23-ish year olds in Miami, you better put security at every door and cameras in the ductwork.
December 23rd, 2021 at 5:20 AM ^
The coaches and senior leaders will emphasize to the team that this is a business trip, not a vacation. They have come too far to blow it by doing something foolish. They'll keep the team together in a bubble with team activities.
December 23rd, 2021 at 6:55 AM ^
Yes they will. And the 19 year old who knows he’s not playing and is hitting the transfer portal? Good luck on that.
December 23rd, 2021 at 8:32 AM ^
The team knows the score. I'd be more worried about band members and the cheerleading teams being out than the actual football team. The goal they have - and the leaders setting those goals - are not negotiable.
December 23rd, 2021 at 9:02 AM ^
Yeah don’t blow it in Miami!
December 23rd, 2021 at 3:44 PM ^
Sheeeee-it.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:03 PM ^
I'm sure Georgia will use the extra time at home to follow through on their Covid testing and reporting. /s
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:36 AM ^
You mean the team that is actually reporting Covid cases?
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:16 PM ^
I will be honestly surprised if any of the 4 teams have a starter out due to COVID
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:25 PM ^
is George Pickens out for this one?
December 23rd, 2021 at 3:56 AM ^
According to twitter, he already has a negative test
December 23rd, 2021 at 9:56 AM ^
Thought I heard that it was his tweet that declared the negative test, which was subsequently deleted a short time later....
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:17 AM ^
I think Michigan stands a much better chance if they get down there sooner than later. Even though it’s “chilly” for Florida standards, it’s much warmer and more humid than what it feels like in AA. The team, to avoid a little time to adapt to the weather change, will hopefully get there as planned. Our players are already at risk of cramping a lot faster during the game than UGA players because of it.
December 23rd, 2021 at 6:30 AM ^
Nah. it’s not like it’s gonna be in the 90s in Miami. I really don’t see the temps being in the low 70s at night, if they’re lucky, as being any kind of an issue. Now getting there early and getting some good practice reps and rest make sense.
December 23rd, 2021 at 10:27 AM ^
This was always a Rose Bowl problem for us. We would melt in the heat until the 4th quarter when it got dark and started to cool down.
Your body needs time to acclimate to warmer weather, even if it's not blazing hot weather.
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:02 PM ^
Or maybe it was just that the Big Ten was pretty bad in the 1970s and didn't have many good passing attacks, while the Pac-10 did.
The Big Ten got stronger in the 1980s and our bowl record improved, too.
December 23rd, 2021 at 1:58 PM ^
We would play some of those same teams during the regular season and beat them. But then in the Rose Bowl we were flatfooted.
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^
The sun sets at 5:40 pm on gameday. Kick-off is 7:30 pm. The temp will be 75-76° F for most of the game. Weather should not be a factor.
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:20 PM ^
What you mean is that it should feel nice, and likely better for Michigan to be playing in the evening, I agree. Clearly, no one posting here thus far has much real insight about the kinds of adjustments bodies must make coming from places where it's on average 15 degrees cooler (in Georgia) to 25 (from Michigan). I would be curious TO KNOW, and assume some adjustment is necessary. It's been down to the mid-30s nights here in N. FL lately, colder further North in Georgia, but we're warming up this week.
If I'm the coach what I'm most intent on is avoiding a lot of upheaval, quickly getting to a place where my team is only working on and thinking about the game. Sticking with the plan to get down right after Christmas seems like the way to go, to my untutored eye. Kids going home and mixing it up with friends and family is definitely a worry.
December 23rd, 2021 at 1:59 PM ^
How is the humidity? Mid 70s and humid will drain you, especially if there is no breeze as often happens at night.
December 23rd, 2021 at 4:38 PM ^
Humidity forecast is 70-80% during the game.
https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/us/fl/miami-gardens/33056/date/2021-12-31
December 23rd, 2021 at 11:05 AM ^
Logged in just to make this same point. It is a built-in advantage for southern teams playing in southern bowls just like it is a built-in advantage for the Denver Broncos playing in Mile-High stadium. You're body's blood cells need to aclimate.
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:43 PM ^
High on game day is forecast at 84 and we play at night when it should be cooling off. I don't think the heat will be a big issue.
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:23 PM ^
I’m sure the media can do their jobs just as poorly remotely as they do in person.
December 23rd, 2021 at 3:47 PM ^
Aidan Hutchinson needs to step up and tell the entire team. No going out before or after the win. Business trip only. Stay safe, no sneaking anyone in. No COVID.
Do that, and everyone gets an all-expenses paid trip back to Miami after he gets drafted. Courtesy of the Detroit Lions or Jacksonville Jaguars.
December 23rd, 2021 at 4:50 PM ^
The difference in high/low temperatures for both Miami and Ann Arbor the day of the game is between 45-50°. Whether there’s sun or not, that has an effect on the body. Living in Florida but being from Ohio, I can tell you when I have family visit during the holidays they’re running around in shorts and a T-shirt while I’m wearing jeans and a long sleeve. UGA won’t have that big of a weather change, so as I said earlier, hopefully the team doesn’t alter their travel plans.