College Football Playoff Schedule Sparks Fan Outrage Amid NFL Controversy
The College Football Playoff is about to kick off with a four-game weekend. Fans, though, are already grumbling about the schedule.
Alabama and Oklahoma get the Friday night slot. Saturday is packed, and not just with college football—there’s also a big NFL game: the Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears.
This clash of schedules has especially annoyed Texas A&M and Miami fans. Their teams are set for an early kickoff at 11 am CT (12 pm ET).
The timing has sparked a wave of complaints from Aggies supporters, known as the 12th Man. Many feel they got stuck with a less-than-ideal viewing slot.
Excitement is in the air, sure, but so is a healthy dose of controversy.
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College Football Playoff Schedule: A Packed Weekend
The Playoff weekend starts with Alabama and Oklahoma under the Friday night lights. That game tees up a Saturday slate full of high-stakes matchups:
- Texas A&M vs. Miami at 11 am CT (12 pm ET)
- Ole Miss vs. Tulane at 3:30 pm ET
- James Madison vs. Oregon at 7:30 pm ET
On top of all this, the Packers and Bears will battle it out in a crucial NFL showdown. That game’s playoff implications just add another layer of chaos for football fans.
Fan Frustration: The Early Kickoff Controversy
For Texas A&M fans, playing Miami so early is a real letdown. The Aggies, sitting at No. 7 under head coach Mike Elko, will host at Kyle Field.
Even with playoff football coming back to College Station, the 11 am CT start feels like a raw deal. Social media? It’s been a bit of a venting ground lately:
- *I need someone to explain why Oregon vs JMU is a night game and this is an 11am. Stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.*
- *The NCAA hates A&M. It’s so blatant that it’s not even funny.*
- *Tamu Miami game at noon is whack.*
- *Having the best game of the slate kickoff at noon is quite underwhelming.*
Mike Elko’s Perspective
Despite all the noise, Mike Elko is keeping things positive. “First of all, we’re excited to get playoff football in College Station and host a game at Kyle Field,” Elko said.
“We’ve got a ton of respect for Miami; it’s an extremely talented football team. It will be exciting to host a playoff game.”
Impact on the 12th Man
The 12th Man is famous for creating one of the wildest atmospheres in college football. Still, this early kickoff has put a bit of a damper on things.
They’ll show up, no doubt, but you can’t help but wonder if the timing takes some of the edge off.
Nick Saban’s Praise
Nick Saban, back when he was at Alabama, had nothing but praise for the Aggies’ fans. “You talk about loud. You talk about affecting the game. I mean, their fans really did affect the game, and it says a lot about our players to keep their poise and focus.”
Quarterfinals and Potential Matchups
The quarterfinals are coming up after Christmas. Winners from this weekend will get a shot at some of the nation’s top teams.
- No. 2 Ohio State vs. the winner of Miami-Texas A&M
- No. 4 Texas Tech vs. the winner of Oregon-JMU
- No. 3 Georgia vs. the winner of Ole Miss-Tulane
- Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza’s unbeaten Indiana vs. the winner of Alabama-Oklahoma
These matchups could get wild. Sometimes, that time off can mess with the rhythm of the top seeds.
Potential for Upsets
The Playoff has seen its share of surprises. Time off has a way of shaking things up, and even the favorites aren’t safe.
As New Year’s Day creeps closer, everyone’s watching to see who steps up and who stumbles. That’s the beauty—and the agony—of playoff football, isn’t it?
The College Football Playoff weekend is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. Sure, there have been some scheduling controversies.
Fans of Texas A&M and Miami might be pretty frustrated with that early kickoff. Still, playoff football has a way of pulling everyone in, no matter the time.
This weekend’s schedule is packed, with pivotal NFL games thrown into the mix. Honestly, it’s bound to be a rollercoaster for anyone who cares about football.
If you want the full rundown on the College Football Playoff schedule, check out the article here.
