NFL Playing 'Vulcan Chess' With College Football Playoff?

“Sources tell me the NFL knows that it’s unlikely the CFP will move all three games off of that Saturday,” writes Ourand. “Its new tactic is to convince the CFP to move at least one of those games from Saturday to Friday. (There is already a game on Friday, and this would allow for two games on each day.)"

"This appears to be the most likely scenario, but it will be fascinating to watch this game of Vulcan chess play out.”

In recent years, the NFL has utilized late December Saturdays to stage meaningful regular season contests that often help determine its own playoff bracket. These games (such as the Dallas Cowboys' infamous 20-19 win over Detroit on Dec. 30) often go head-to-head with early college bowl games but next year's competition takes on a whole new meaning.

Next season marks the CFP's first with 12 participants as opposed to the four over its first decade. First-round games will be held on campus sites before the New Year's Six bowls (Cotton, Fiesta, Orange, Peach, Rose, Sugar) host the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Barring an immediate season expansion, there likely won't be any further conflicts with the NFL slate. 

Cooler heads should ultimately prevail in this situation: the NFL is providing ample notice for the CFP to move and both sides seem to realize that fighting each other will sour an already tenuous (if not lucrative) relationship.