Arizona Gets Title Game in 2016

[crisper57]

http://espn.go.com/college-football...-college-football-national-championship-games

Glendale's University of Phoenix Stadium, the site of the Fiesta Bowl and home of the Arizona Cardinals, was chosen over three other venues for the Jan. 11, 2016, game

The three cities Glendale beat out for the 2016 game were Jacksonville, Fla. (EverBank Field), New Orleans (Mercedes-Benz Superdome) and Tampa.

Tampa hosts in 2017.

During the 12-year College Football Playoff contract, the semifinals will be at:

• Rose and Sugar bowls: Jan. 1, 2015; Jan. 1, 2018; Jan. 1, 2021; and Jan. 1, 2024.

• Orange and Cotton bowls: Dec. 31, 2015; Dec. 31, 2018; Dec. 31, 2021; and Dec. 31, 2024.

• Fiesta and Chick-fil-A bowls: Dec. 31, 2016; Dec. 31, 2019; Dec. 31, 2022; and Dec. 31, 2025.

 

[crisper57]

Fiesta diminished somewhat in the new format:

In years the Rose, Sugar and Orange bowls do not host the semifinals, they will get the highest-ranked team from their respective conference tie-ins: Rose (Pac-12 vs. Big Ten), Sugar (SEC vs. Big 12) and Orange (ACC vs. highest-ranked from SEC/Big Ten/Notre Dame).

 

[crisper57]

January 11, 2016 is a Monday. That could get awkward when the Cards are hosting a playoff game that weekend. Hope they remember to tell the NFL about the scheduling conflict this time.

 

[Southpaw]

I posted my picks. Let the games begin. Loose the hounds.