FAA ground stop over: How college football flights affected across country -

Updated Nov. 13, 2026, 11:54 p.m. ET

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a nationwide ground stop for all flights in the United States on Friday, Nov. 13, which impacted numerous college football teams’ travel plans ahead of games on Saturday, Nov. 14.

The FAA cited extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns related to an air traffic control issue. Multiple college football teams are impacted, with numerous teams leaving for their destination on Nov. 13.

“FAA technicians are investigating the issue,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X. “We will provide immediate updates as we have them.”

The FAA advisory listed an effective period of 3:54 p.m. ET to 11:30 p.m. ET, but it was lifted around 8:30 p.m. ET. Even so, several teams were affected by the stoppage, with a few games being rescheduled around the country.

Catch up on the FAA stoppage and its ripple effects below.

College football games impacted by FAA ground stop

11:46 p.m. ET: A late-night change rolls in, as Michigan State and Washington is reportedly moved back an hour and 15 minutes from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. The Huskies resumed travel tonight, but there conference offers a bit of breathing room.
10:51 p.m. ET: A couple more new kickoff times have come in, this time from the Big 12. Baylor and BYU will kick off at 7 p.m. Arizona and Utah are going to begin at 10:30 p.m.
10:11 p.m. ET: A slew of kickoff changes is coming in. UCF will now host Arizona State at 5:30 p.m. ET, rather than that game moving to Sunday. Auburn-Mississippi State will be moved to 4:15 p.m. from its original noon kickoff. Tulane at Rice is now 4:15 p.m., back from 2 p.m. West Virginia vs Kansas was moved up to 3:30 p.m. from 5:30 p.m. And Tulsa-FAU is now 6:15 p.m., rather than the original 3:30 p.m. Other updates likely to follow.
8:33 p.m. ET: The stoppage is over, about three hours early. Now comes the domino effect on what this will mean for the pending flights, with many teams having returned to campus.
8:04 p.m. ET: “College GameDay’s” destination this week is in some jeopardy. Oregon State is looking for an angle to get to Boise, but a nine-hour bus ride is proving hard to facilitate tonight, per Thamel. The team wants to take the quick flight tonight, but the feasibility of that is in limbo.
8:01 p.m. ET: Baylor and Kansas State are both grounded ahead of games vs BYU and TCU, respectively. Further complicating things, BYU is unable to play on Sundays due to religious restrictions, per Pete Thamel.
7:30 p.m. ET: Tennessee spokesperson Bill Martin sent a message on X, formerly Twitter, that Tennessee is returning to campus until further progress. See the message here.
7:25 p.m. ET: The SEC released a statement on the stoppage, saying it is “aware” and “in close communication” with its schools regarding plans moving forward. The door was also left open for adjustments to the schedule, if necessary. See the full statement here.
7:17 p.m. ET: Minnesota football is yet another team impacted by the stoppage, with the Golden Gophers releasing a statement ahead of their matchup with Penn State in Happy Valley. Minnesota said it will be unable to get to Penn State Friday for the game, and is exploring options with the Big Ten, per Adam Rittenberg.
6:37 p.m. ET: Washington’s travel plans to Michigan State have also impacted. The Spartans released a statement on the situation. “Michigan State is in contact with the Big Ten Conference and the University of Washington. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide relevant updates.”
6:34 p.m. ET: Arizona State is stuck sitting on the team’s plane, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. There’s also the possibility of ASU playing UCF on Sunday. The team intends to fly to Orlando Saturday morning and has deplaned.
6:28 p.m. ET: USC has landed in Indiana for its game against the Hoosiers, according to multiple reports.
6:13 p.m. ET: Kansas football has arrived in West Virginia for its game against the Mountaineers, the program announced on X.
5:54 p.m. ET: Purdue is also busing to Iowa due to the ground stop, per the IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network.
5:52 p.m. ET: Auburn is taking a bus to its road game against Mississippi State, according to the Montgomery Advertiser, part of the USA TODAY Network.
5:45 p.m. ET: Duke landed safely in Florida ahead of its game against Miami, according to the Fayetteville Observer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
5:36 p.m. ET: Northwestern arrived at Ohio State before the ground stop, per the Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network.
5:32 p.m. ET: Colorado State is also grounded as it’s slated to face Washington State in Pullman, Washington, on Saturday, per the Coloradoan, part of the USA TODAY Network.
5:31 p.m. ET: Wake Forest, Missouri and South Carolina have already arrived at their destinations, per The Athletic.
5:18 p.m. ET: Utah and Auburn are also yet to have traveled to Arizona and Mississippi State, respectively, per multiple reports.
5:08 p.m. ET: Tennessee and Texas are both grounded and are not yet en route to College Station, Texas, or Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
4:57 p.m. ET: Alabama will alter its travel plans and drive to Nashville for its game against Vanderbilt, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The Crimson Tide were previously planning to fly to its Week 11 game.
4:56 p.m. ET: Ole Miss is still in Oxford, Mississippi, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The Rebels travel to play Oklahoma at 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.