No. 3 Ohio State will board a plane to Miami on Saturday as scheduled to meet No. 1 Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, a school spokesman told ESPN on Friday afternoon, officially ending speculation that the biggest game of the season may need to be postponed.
“The plan is to fly down tomorrow,” said Buckeyes spokesman Jerry Emig.
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne also confirmed the Crimson Tide will be traveling, tweeting, “I just got the test results and we’re ready to go.”
Alabama will land in Miami at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, according to a school spokesperson.
“As I’ve been saying all week, the game has started,” said College Football Playoff director Bill Hancock Friday. ‘Nothing has changed. The Alabama team will travel to Miami tonight, and the Ohio State boys will arrive tomorrow. We look forward to a great night of college football. ‘
Ohio State declined to disclose on Friday when its last COVID-19 test results would be available, but the team would land at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Hancock and officials from both schools have said repeatedly that the national championship game continues Monday, despite reports of ongoing COVID-19 issues within 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 have to find out, go to Miami and play.”
ESPN’s Holly Rowe has announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19, is experiencing symptoms, and will not be part of the ABC / ESPN coverage of the championship game.