Rose Bowl as we know it may not be played on Jan. 1.

For the first time since World War II forced the Rose Bowl eastward to Durham, N.C., in 1942, serious consideration has been given this year to the game not being played at its rightful home in Pasadena.

But, as of Tuesday night, the city and the Tournament of Roses had found fresh optimism. ESPN, which each year broadcasts the Rose Bowl from coast to coast, could be the reason the storied game stays in Pasadena in 2021.

The network is expected to announce a new presenting sponsor for the Rose Bowl game as soon as today, one that replaces Northwestern Mutual. That $25million-per-year deal, signed in 2015, has expired.

If the game were to be moved because of California’s stringent pandemic regulations, it would not be called the Rose Bowl, as that branding stays in Pasadena. Certainly, that could be a significant issue for ESPN and its new presenting sponsor.

The 2021 Rose Bowl is one of the College Football Playoff ’s national semifinals, still scheduled for its traditional New Year’s Day afternoon kickoff time. As its rules are written, California would not allow for the game to be played with family members in attendance, a key detail that has put the game in question with the CFP management committee.

The Tournament of Roses has been in discussions with state officials, according to an individual familiar with the negotiations but not authorized to speak on them publicly. The argument for allowing families to attend is that the Rose Bowl has 95,000 seats with more than 50 suites, which should allow for proper social distancing.

Thus far, the state does not seem to be budging.

That inaction did not stop CFP executive director Bill Hancock from releasing a statement Tuesday afternoon that indicated California did not have to make an exception for the Rose Bowl in order for the game to remain in Pasadena.

Though the conferences involved would prefer to avoid that scenario and play at a location where families at a minimum could attend, ESPN, which reportedly pays $470 million annually to broadcast the CFP, could have more sway in determining whether the 2021 Rose Bowl takes place.

Notable

Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State will enter championship weekend in position to make the College Football Playoff with very little drama.

The top five teams were locked into their places Tuesday night for the fourth straight week, with the Crimson Tide (10-0) leading the way as they prepare to play Florida for the Southeastern Conference championship.

The Fighting Irish (10-0) are second and Clemson is third going into their Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Buckeyes receiver Chris Olave (Mission Hills High) also was named to the Big Ten first team.