Rose Bowl announces there will be no spectators for the 2021 CFP semifinal game

COVID-19 will keep fans from seeing the Rose Bowl in person this year. Ohio State could be headed there if everything aligns.

We all probably saw this coming, but the Rose Bowl announced Thursday that due to restrictions set forth by the state of California, Los Angeles County, and the City of Pasadena, spectators will not be allowed to attend the College Football Playoff Semifinal on New Year’s Day.

The Rose Bowl did request special permission to allow a limited number of fans which would include the families and special guests of players and coaches. However, that request was denied based on the state and county guidelines given the COVID-19 pandemic. This will certainly make for less of a spectacle watching the “Grand Daddy of ’em all” with empty seats.

If things were to end today with Alabama staying in the No. 1 seed and Ohio State at the No. 4 position, the Buckeyes would most likely travel to New Orleans to play the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. However, if things shake out a little differently over the next few weeks, OSU could find themselves heading to the traditional Big Ten champions stomping grounds.

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If Ohio State can win out and if Clemson would find a way to knock of Notre Dame in the ACC Championship, we could very well see the Buckeyes back in Pasadena for a chance a redemption against Dabo and the Tigers. No easy task by any stretch, but how sweet it would be to finally slay the Clemson dragon in the Rose Bowl.

There’s a lot of football left to be played, but seeing half of the Rose Bowl painted in Scarlet and Gray would be one beautiful sight… even empty.

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