Alabama-Ohio State Championship Game On As Scheduled, For Now

Birmingham AL

08 January, 2021

11:37 AM

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MIAMI, FL — After some doubt during the week, the National Championship Game between Alabama and Ohio State is still on as scheduled for Monday night, reports say. The Buckeyes had discussed possibly asking the NCAA to postpone the game amid COVID-19 concerns among the team's players and staff. However, ESPN reports that the game — at least for now — is still scheduled for Monday, Jan. 11. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Thursday that his team is on track to play despite ongoing coronavirus issues. "I can tell you there are no changes," College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock told ESPN. "The game is scheduled for Jan. 11, as planned, and we look forward to it." The CFP last week announced Jan. 18 as a potential makeup date for the game in Miami, which pits the top-ranked Crimson Tide against no. 3 Ohio State, in the final game of a season that has been full of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic. Alabama was lucky enough to only have one game postponed this season due to COVID-19 — the LSU game — and the Auburn game was played without coach Nick Saban on the sidelines when the Tide coach tested positive for the virus. Ohio State was not quite as fortunate, as the Buckeyes were only able to play five regular season games. "We're following the same protocols we followed all season long," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said to ESPN. "We intend to play on Jan. 11, and we continue to communicate with the Big Ten and now the CFP; so at this point in time, we see the game being played. But who knows what tomorrow will bring? That's COVID. We're on track right now." The game is set for kickoff Monday at 7 p.m. The game can be viewed on ESPN.