No. 2 Notre Dame will play No. 3 Clemson in Charlotte’s ACC Championship Game on Saturday in terms of a college football playoff. The undefeated Fighting Irish had already beaten the Tigers once, and could potentially lose and still make the semifinals – one of them is in the Rose Bowl.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has a bit of a problem if his team got berths in all those grandiose. Local and regional COVID-19 rules prevent Rose Bowl from having fans in attendance, including friends and family of players and coaches. Kelly wants no part of the game if families can’t be there.
“I’m not sure if we’ll play in the playoffs if the parents can’t be there.” He said In its Friday press conference before the ACC Championship Game. “Why can’t it be a Rose Bowl in Las Vegas? Why can’t it be a Rose Bowl in another city? Where’s the relief? The one thing these kids are doing is incredibly simple.”
Kelly continued to criticize the tradition associated with the game.
“We worship the ashes of tradition,” He said. “They don’t think about the student-athlete, and that’s the point.”
Dennis Dodd, a senior writer at CBS Sports, reported earlier this week that the College Ledge Football Playoff Management Committee is considering moving the national semifinals out of Southern California. One of the potential venues, according to Dodd, is the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home to the Cotton Bowl – one of two semifinal venues after the 2021 season.
“They have to spend a little less time on who the top four teams are and figure out how to get parents into these games because it’s a complete shame and embarrassment if parents don’t watch their kids play,” Kelly said. Is. ” . “My kids have been on campus since June. They haven’t seen their families much. They had to fight through Kovid, some of them got Kovid. They can’t be around their family for Christmas, and you’re going to tell me we’ll take the playoffs. And maybe one site can have a family and the other can’t? Please. “
Notre Dame still has some work to do. Although the CFP bid is likely, there is a game against the mighty Clemson on Saturday to take care of first. After all, it will be the first (and perhaps only) ACC title of the Independent Fighting Irish.
Speaking, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney shared similar views on Friday, but stopped short by saying that his team would not go to the Rose Bowl if families were not allowed.
“There are plenty of places. If that doesn’t work (keep fans at the Rose Bowl), punt and push it next year,” he said. “You try to get the ness for four playoff teams. There are a lot of places where you can have an atmosphere for fans and players who have worked hard all year.”
Tiles and Fighting Irish will connect ET on Saturday at 4pm at the Banktef America Stadium in Charlotte.
