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The national championship game is set following Michigan and Washington’s opening round wins in the College Football Playoff. The Huskies and Wolverines will face off on January 8th for a chance to win a title.
Kirk Herbstreit believes a change should be made for that blockbuster matchup and every championship game that follows.
The opinion involves the location of the contest and college football’s most historic bowl game.
Herbstreit took to social media Tuesday to voice that belief after seeing a pair of epic finishes in the CFP’s first round.
The analyst says the Rose Bowl should be the permanent venue for all national championships.
I’ve been saying this for years and I’ll say it one more time. As the world of CFB changes in so many ways I really wish the leaders and decision makers would just make the @rosebowlgame the host for the National Championship EVERY YEAR!! The setting-beauty-field-and history of…
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 2, 2024
“I really wish the leaders and decision makers would just make the Rose Bowl the host for the National Championship EVERY YEAR!!” he wrote on his X timeline.
“The setting, beauty, field, and history of that place is unparalleled. Last night was another chapter in its long and incredible history of memorable moments.”
The 2024 edition of the Rose Bowl was certainly entertaining, seeing Alabama fall to Michigan in overtime.
In a back-and-forth heavyweight bout, the Wolverines overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to force the extra session. Star running back Blake Corum scored on the team’s opening overtime drive before the UM defense stopped Alabama on a fourth and goal play to end the game.
Here’s a view of the Rose Bowl final play from field level. pic.twitter.com/fsGfVL6EFv
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) January 2, 2024
Prior to the introduction of the College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl matched the top Big Ten and PAC 12 teams against one another thanks to an agreement between the conferences in 1946.
“The pact is the oldest intercollegiate postseason bowl agreement between two major conferences in the United States,” according to the official site of the bowl game, though other leagues have participated on special occasion.
The Grandaddy of Them All, it was first played in 1902 between Michigan and Stanford. Since, it’s been a locale for major postseason matchups, in many cases deciding a national champion.
When the CFP format was introduced, it became one of six rotating playoff bowl games used as a host site. Kirk Herbstreit believes it deserves an even higher status.
Kirk Herbstreit wants tradition to remain amid change.
His line of thinking revolves around the changing landscape in college football.
As conference realignment and the College Football Playoff overtake the sport, having an annual Rose Bowl championship matchup could help restore some of the tradition that’s now being lost.
There’s also a pending collapse of the PAC 12 given changes to come next season.
All but two PAC members have bolted for new conferences, leaving just Washington State and Oregon State to pick up the pieces. Those schools have since partnered with the Mountain West while figuring out how to navigate an unclear future.
Should the league be unable to rebuild, the Rose Bowl could lose one of conference tie-ins.
Many online agree with Herbstreit’s line of thinking. Here’s what fans had to say about a permanent national championship in Pasadena.
College football Joel Klatt commented, “[Making] the Rose Bowl the national championship game every year creates a much-needed marquee destination for ALL of CFB.”
Los Angeles reporter Doug McKain echoed that sentiment, writing, “The Rose Bowl is the best setting for a game in any sport. The pageantry, history, the San Gabriel mountains, 90,000+ fans, the fact that it’s once a year. Doesn’t get any better. The Rose Bowl should be the permanent site for the National Championship.”
As it stands, this year’s national title game will be held in Houston at NRG Stadium, home of the Texans. We’ll see if Herbstreit’s suggestion leads to change.