College Football Playoff delays final rankings by 2 weeks

The late start to the college football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the CFP selection committee to audible on its schedule. The final rankings were scheduled to be released Dec. 6. However, executive director Bill Hancock announced …

The late start to the college football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the CFP selection committee to audible on its schedule.

The final rankings were scheduled to be released Dec. 6. However, executive director Bill Hancock announced Wednesday the date for the final rankings is Dec. 20.

“With recent schedule changes for the regular season, it makes sense for the committee to make its final rankings after the conference championship games, when it can get a complete picture of the season,” Hancock said. “The selection committee members understand the need to be flexible as we all navigate uncharted waters this season, and this move will allow them to evaluate all the available information.”

The change is a result of several conferences having moved their championship games to Dec. 12, 18 or 19.

The top four teams will participate in the Playoff Semifinals Jan. 1, in the Rose Bowl Game and Sugar Bowl. The national championship game will be played on Jan.11, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

One other change was announced about when the teams in the championship games would arrive in Florida.

The teams participating in the CFP National Championship will arrive Jan. 9, a Saturday, instead of Friday evening.

“In this unprecedented time, the Management Committee believes it is in the best interest for the health and safety of the student-athletes, coaches and staffs to complete their game-week preparation on campus, under the familiar protocols they will have used all season,” Hancock said. “This is an unfortunate consequence of the pandemic, but it is the right thing to do.”

There remains much to think about before deciding when — if — teams should travel to a site for the CFP championship. Hard to understand how the season is still being considered when such caution is in place months up the road.