Shortest distance to CFP Semifinal gives Texas CFP Semifinal advantage

200.4 miles is all that separates the UT Campus from AT&T Stadium. That’s a walk in the park compared to the other three teams in the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State has the next shortest distance, but it’s still four times the distance the Horns have to travel. The Buckeyes must travel 1,062.2 miles to Jerry World.

Notre Dame and Penn State must go even farther for the Orange Bowl. The Nittany Lions must go 1,246.4 miles to Miami and the Irish have to travel 1,326.3 miles to Hard Rock Stadium.

Will this give Texas an advantage? History shows travel impacts college football teams more than teams in the NFL. College teams generally don’t travel very far than during the season. Conferences are generally regional. Teams will schedule an occasional intersectional non-conference game, like Texas to Michigan, but that’s one or two games a year.

https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1876705810291552707

With conference expansion, the West Coast arm of the newly formed Big Ten had to get used to cross-country trips. Some of USC’s problems this season have been blamed on travel.

The Longhorns flight to Dallas is less than an hour. If you’re looking for Texas advantages, even slight ones, travel, or lack of, definitely makes the list.