The University of Miami and the College Football Playoff are reportedly working on a contingency plan to address a potential scheduling conflict at Hard Rock Stadium if the Hurricanes earn a first-round home game in December.
According to ESPN’s Heather Dinich, Miami’s loss to Louisville could alter when or where the opening round on the College Football Playoff could be held.
This is all due to LaLiga officially announced last week that its Barcelona-Villarreal match will be played in Miami on Dec. 20– the same day as the CFP’s first-round games. The Hurricanes are now unlikely to secure a top-four seed and first-round bye, but could host as a 5-8 seed.
“Hard Rock Stadium developed an operational plan should the stadium host both a LaLiga game and a University of Miami CFP first-round game the weekend of December 19th and 20th,” the university said in a statement to ESPN. “We will continue to refine and review the plan.”
A possible workaround includes LaLiga playing at 10:15 a.m. ET, allowing Miami to host later that evening. Another option would be rescheduling the football game, pending ESPN’s ability to provide a viable TV window. That becomes a tricky scenario.
If major changes are required, they must be approved by the CFP management committee. Officials expect Miami to present an alternate location this week, with Orlando under consideration as a last resort.
However, the Canes having a home game 250 miles away is not a good solution. The CFP acknowledged the conflict and told Dinich discussions remain ongoing.
