USA TODAY International Edition

CFP monitoring COVID- 19 ahead of its title game

- Erick Smith

The College Football Playoff championsh­ip game could be postponed with Ohio State dealing with COVID- 19 issues ahead of a matchup with Alabama.

The Buckeyes, who were missing key contributo­rs in their Sugar Bowl defeat of Clemson in their national semifinal, could be without a position group if the game is played as scheduled on Jan. 11, according to multiple reports.

The playoff committee announced last week a Jan. 18 makeup date if the game in Miami Gardens, Florida, is unable to be played on time.

Ohio State has been dealing with coronaviru­s issues since November when its game against Illinois was canceled after multiple positives within the program, including coach Ryan Day.

Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith told The Columbus Dispatch that the team is on schedule to play. “Our goal is to play January 11,” Smith said.

“We’re doing the same thing we’ve done all year. We communicat­e every day with the Big Ten on where we are, and they communicat­e with the CFP. That’s where we are, so we’re good to go unless an Illinois case occurs. We’re following the same protocols that we’ve always had.”

When pressed on the chances of the game being played on time, Smith replied: “I can’t share that. Golly, this is COVID, man. Who knows what tomorrow is gonna bring?”

The Buckeyes played short- handed against Michigan State the following week and had their game against Michigan called off due to the Wolverines being unable to play because of COVID- 19 issues.

In the Big Ten championsh­ip game, more than 20 players missed it due to injury or COVID- 19 protocols.

Alabama also was impacted by the coronaviru­s. Its LSU and Arkansas games were postponed, and Nick Saban missed a game due to a positive.

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