Ohio State COVID-19 outbreak: Will new cases postpone CFP championship game vs. Alabama?
No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Ohio State are scheduled to play within the School Soccer Playoff championship recreation on Jan. 11 at Arduous Rock Stadium.
There’s a chance, nevertheless, that the sport might be postponed till Jan. 18. AL.com reported the sport could be pushed back to Jan. 18 due to participant availability considerations with Ohio State.
From @mzenitz and me, per sources: There are COVID-19 points at Ohio State which have led to discussions about probably having to push again the nationwide title recreation to a later date https://t.co/8F7GiP7b7o
— John Talty (@JTalty) January 5, 2021
Stadium’s Brett McMurphy additionally reported the sport might be postponed:
Due to COVID points at Ohio State, there was discussions about suspending @CFBPlayoff title recreation to Jan. 18, sources instructed @Stadium. 1st reported by @JTalty & @mzenitz. The sport – for now – stays scheduled for Monday night time
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 5, 2021
Yahoo Sports activities’ Pete Thamel reported that, as of now, Ohio State is planning on enjoying the sport Monday. Alabama, Ohio State and the SEC reportedly are all pushing for the sport to be performed, however Massive Ten officers reportedly have raised involved in regards to the Buckeyes taking part beneath the circumstances.
Sources: As of proper now, Ohio State planning on enjoying within the title recreation as scheduled on Jan. 11. All techniques are go for that. There’s been COVID-19 points at OSU, however not sufficient to postpone the sport. That is clearly COVID-19 instances, and issues can change.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 5, 2021
Following up on the Ohio State COVID difficulty. I am instructed Alabama and the SEC are pushing arduous to play the sport…Ohio State is simply too. However the Massive Ten workplace is pushing to postpone.
— Chris Breece (@ChrisBreece) January 5, 2021
Will that result in one final disruption in a university soccer season impacted by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic?
COVID-19 considerations
The Buckeyes had three video games canceled this season due to COVID-19 points, although two of these video games have been canceled by their opponents in Maryland and Michigan.
A complete of 23 Ohio State players missed the Michigan State game on Dec. 5. The Buckeyes didn’t play in opposition to Michigan the next week. Head coach Ryan Day additionally examined constructive for COVID-19 in the course of the common season.
It has been an ongoing roster battle for Ohio State this season in a state that ranks sixth in the United States in confirmed instances. AL.com reported “Ohio State has knowledgeable key events concerned it might be and not using a place group on account of COVID-19 testing and associated protocols.”
Alabama coach Nick Saban missed the Iron Bowl this season after testing constructive for COVID-19, however the Crimson Tide performed all 10 of their regular-season video games earlier than the SEC championship recreation and CFP semifinal.
Jan. 18 a chance
The CFP committee can push the sport again per week to Jan. 18, and the colleges, SEC and Massive Ten can be concerned in that call. With the sport lower than per week away, that call ought to come quickly.
