If NBC’s Plans Fall Into Place, Miami Plays Penn State in Fiesta Bowl Jan. 2

The University of Miami, the nation’s No. 1 college football team, will accept a bid to play in the Fiesta Bowl, probably against Penn State, in a tradition-breaking game that NBC will move from New Year’s Day to Jan. 2.

The network will make the switch provided Penn State defeats Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 3, may move to No. 2 this week following Michigan’s loss to Minnesota Saturday.

If Penn State and Miami close the regular season undefeated, the Fiesta Bowl would be for the national championship and likely feature the No. 1 and No. 2 teams.

By shifting the day of the game, the Fiesta Bowl will move from the logjam of six New Year’s Day bowls into a showcase position in prime time television.

The Hurricanes voted to accept the bid following Saturday night’s victory over Tulsa. Miami (10-0) closes its regular season against East Carolina on Thanksgiving night. Bowl bids will be formally announced Nov. 22.

The Fiesta Bowl and NBC won out over the Citrus Bowl and ABC. The most important part of the deal as far as Miami is concerned is that the Fiesta Bowl will give Miami an option to play elsewhere if Penn State loses to Pittsburgh.

Miami Athletic Director Sam Jankovich said the Hurricanes will accept no deal that did not allow them to play elsewhere if Penn State lost.

The move to Jan. 2 should mean a big increase in advertising revenue for NBC, which normally televises the Fiesta, Rose and Orange bowls on New Year’s Day.