DALLAS — The Cotton Bowl Chairman is optimistic the college football playoff game will be played amid bowl cancellations.

Cotton Bowl Chairman Bry Patton says protocols have been put in place to prevent positive COVID-19 cases ahead of the matchup between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Cincinatti. Both teams arrived Sunday and will follow their own protocols. CFP and state health officials will any cancellations, if there is an uptick in cases.

"Access to the teams will be very very limited and anyone who comes into contact with players or coaches must be vaccinated,” Patton said. “Teams test positive enough that they can't play then they're eliminated, if the other team can play. If neither team can play it's a no contest... from our perspective we hope the teams and they can play and one of these teams can go on to the national championship."

Patton added that all Cotton Bowl staff members have been vaccinated.

Last week, the College Football Playoff Management Committee said the CFP National Championship could be left vacant if both games aren’t played. A “no contest” in one game would lead to the winner of the opposing contest being declared champion. The national championship is scheduled Jan. 10, but can be pushed to Jan. 15 if positive cases rise with either or both teams.

The 86^th annual Cotton Bowl is slated to be played at AT&T Stadium Friday, Dec. 31 at 2:30 p.m.