The countdown is on as South Florida prepares to host the biggest games in college football — the College Football Playoff semifinal in December and the national championship game in January, both at Hard Rock Stadium.

Joining CBS News Miami's Samantha Rivera, College Football Playoff Executive Director Rich Clark said the energy surrounding the events is already building across South Florida.

"Miami knows how to do big events, for sure, and it's a destination city. Everybody wants to come to Miami," Clark said. "So to have our championship game here is a real honor. We're very familiar with South Florida, but to do our championship game here is special."

Extensive planning and local partnerships behind the scenes

Clark explained that organizing the expanded playoff system and the n

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