ESPN assigns broadcast crews for College Football Playoff semifinals

Jeff Hauser

ESPN assigns broadcast crews for College Football Playoff semifinals image

ESPN has set its top broadcast teams for the College Football Playoff semifinals, which will be played Thursday and Friday night in Glendale, Arizona, and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively. 

The Fiesta Bowl between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Miami Hurricanes will kick off Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN’s lead crew of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game. 

Ole Miss reached the semifinals with postseason wins over Tulane and Georgia despite the absence of Lane Kiffin, the head coach who guided the Rebels to an 11-1 regular season. 

Miami is seeking its first national championship appearance since 2002 behind a dominant defense that has allowed just 17 combined points against Texas A&M and Ohio State in the playoff.

Friday’s Peach Bowl will feature the Oregon Ducks against the Indiana Hoosiers at 7:30 p.m. ET. Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy are assigned to that matchup.

Oregon is chasing its first ever national title. Under Dan Lanning, the Ducks have a legit chance of heading back to the championship game. However, Indiana continues a historic season highlighted by a Big Ten championship and the program’s first Rose Bowl victory. 

Among the four remaining teams, Miami is the only school previously recognized as a national champion by the AP or Coaches’ Poll, ensuring the next title winner will end a drought of at least 24 years or capture its first crown.

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News Correspondent