Ohio State number 3 is boarding a plane to Miami, as planned on Saturday, to face the No. 1 Alabama at the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, a school spokesman told ESPN Friday afternoon. Friday, officially ending speculation that the biggest game of the season may have to be postponed.
“The plan is to fly down tomorrow,” said Buckeyes spokesman Jerry Emig.
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne also confirmed that Crimson Tide will be traveling, tweeting, “We just received the test results and are ready to go.”
Alabama lands in Miami at 8 pm ET on Friday, according to a school spokesman.
“As I said all week, the game has started,” said College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock on Friday. “Nothing has changed. The Alabama team will travel to Miami tonight, and the guys from Ohio State will arrive tomorrow. We look forward to a great college football night.”
On Friday, the state of Ohio refused to make public when the results of the last COVID-19 test were available, but the team is due to land at 6 pm ET on Saturday.
Hancock and officials from both schools have said repeatedly that the national championship game will continue on Monday, despite reports of ongoing problems with COVID-19 under the Ohio state program.
On Thursday, Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the Buckeyes would have “many players” available without providing specific numbers or player updates.
“We have a new set of challenges this week,” said Day. “We are going to have to find out, go to Miami and play.”
ESPN’s Holly Rowe announced that her test was positive for COVID-19, is showing symptoms and will not be part of the ABC / ESPN coverage of the championship game.