Dec. 18--So ... have any plans for New Year's Eve?
If you dig college football, you might want to think twice before answering.
The Times Square Ball will drop around the time Michigan State and Alabama finish tussling in the Cotton Bowl. It's a 7 p.m. Central kickoff. The Orange Bowl between Clemson and Oklahoma starts at 3.
College Football Playoff semifinals on New Year's Eve will become the new normal -- eight of the next 11 seasons. So "plan accordingly," as Jimmy Kimmel and friends sing in those ABC/ESPN spots.
ESPN executives hope college football transforms New Year's Eve in the same way the NFL dominates Thanksgiving and Christmas has become an NBA showcase.
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany predicted a 10 percent ratings drop compared with last year's New Year's Day semifinals but added, "It might be a great way to bring more women to college football. We can build our (long-term) audience."
The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl will be played on Jan. 1 every year, so the semifinals will be on New Year's Day only when those games are hosting.
ESPN pushed for a one-year exception because Jan. 1-2 falls on Friday-Saturday this year, but CFP officials rebuffed the idea.
"There has never been a major sporting event on New Year's Eve," said Nick Dawson, ESPN's vice president of college football programming. "It's a challenging environment. There are more people at work.
"We don't know if this will change viewing habits or people will adjust their plans. Will they view the games on the move, on mobile devices? It will be a great learning experience."
