CFP sets contingency plan
If a team is unavailable to play in College Football Playoff semifinals because of COVID-19 issues, the game will be forfeited and the available team will advance to the championship game.
With COVID-19 cases spiking across the country due to the omicron variant, the CFP announced Wednesday contingency plans for the semifinals and national championship game, which is scheduled for Jan. 10 in Indianapolis.
No. 1 Alabama is scheduled to face No. 4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl in one New Year’s Eve semifinal and No. 2 Michigan is set to play No. 3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl in the nightcap of the CFP doubleheader.
Not long before the CFP announced its contingency plans, Alabama announced offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and offensive line coach Doug Marrone had tested positive for COVID-19 and were isolating with mild symptoms.
Also, Texas A&M became the first team to drop out of a bowl game, citing COVID-19 issues and season-ending injuries as the reasons it would not have enough available players for the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest on Dec. 31.
While there will be no rescheduling of either semifinal, the championship game could be delayed until as late as Jan. 14.
If a team cannot play in the title game, the available team will be declared national champion. If neither team has enough available players by Jan. 14, the championship will be considered vacated.
For the semifinals, if both teams scheduled to play each other are unavailable, that game shall be declared a no contest and the winner of the the other semifinal will be declared national champion.
If three semifinal teams are unavailable to play on Dec. 31, the team that is able to play will be declared national champion.
NFL
The Hillsborough County (Fla.) Medical Examiner’s Office determined that ex-NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson died of “chronic alcohol use,” according to an autopsy report released Wednesday.
According to the accompanying toxicology report, Jackson had a blood-alcohol content of 0.28% when he was found dead in a Florida hotel room earlier this year at age 38. His family later told authorities that they believed he suffered from alcoholism.
The autopsy report also noted that Jackson suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, more commonly known as CTE.
Newton, Darnold both set to play: Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule said quarterback Cam Newton will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and have a “major role” in the game, while Sam Darnold also is set to get playing time.
Darnold was 4-5 as the team’s starter before being sidelined with a shoulder injury and placed on injured reserve Nov. 12.
Lock to start for Broncos: Drew Lock is preparing for his first start of 2021 for the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Las Vegas after coach Vic Fangio ruled out starter Teddy Bridgewater, who suffered a concussion last weekend.
Browns punter released: With three games left, the Cleveland Browns waived popular punter Jamie Gillan, whose struggles this season began after he dropped a snap from center that contributed to a loss in the opener at Kansas City.
NBA
The NBA called off games for both the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets due to COVID-19 issues, after determining that neither team has the minimum eight players necessary to start a contest.
Toronto’s game at Chicago scheduled for Wednesday was postponed, as was Brooklyn’s game at Portland on Thursday.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Jordan King scored a game-high 18 points and the Marquette women (9-3) concluded nonconference play with a 60-49 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday afternoon at the Al McGuire Center.
UW women’s game canceled: The Wisconsin women’s game against Eastern Illinois, scheduled for Thursday at the Kohl Center, has been called off after individuals in the UW program tested positive for COVID-19.