With the final four-team College Football Playoff field set, the selection committee must make the toughest decision it faces.
We knew history would be made and at least one team and its fan base would be left with some serious gripes. Will an undefeated Power 5 champion be eliminated for the first time? What will the SEC avoid? Will the number one team in the conference championship game be eliminated?
Ultimately, Big Ten champion Michigan was awarded the No. 1 seed and will face the SEC’s No. 4 Alabama in a matchup between two of sport’s bluest bloods. In the other semifinal, Pac-12 champ Washington, the No. 2 seed, will face the Big 12’s No. 3 Texas.
Here’s our first look at the four-team field, including key players, the X factor and what each team needs to do to claim the national championship on January 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
CFP Semifinals in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
When: Monday, January 1.5 p.m., ET
Where: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
How to watch: ESPN and the ESPN app
Opening Line: Michigan-2
Michigan moved up to the No. 1 ranking after beating Iowa in the Big Ten championship game, and its reward is playing an Alabama team that’s on top at the right time.
The Crimson Tide offense has looked much improved since the start of the season, and is led by credit quarterback Jalen Milroe. But the offense will be stuffed with Michigan’s defense, which ranks near the top in most major categories.
Although the Wolverines have made it through their entire season intact (despite their share of off-the-field), they will face their toughest test to make it to the championship game and claim the national title.
Key Players: Arby Blake Choir
Corum tied Michigan’s career rushing touchdown record in the Big Ten Championship Game with his 55th touchdown. He has carried the load for the Wolverines the past few seasons and the offense has flown through him. He led all FBS running backs with 24 touchdowns and had his third 1,000-yard season. When Corum is productive, it opens up the rest of Michigan’s offense and creates an easier path for the passing game. Coram is also a team leader, and his two touchdowns against Ohio State put Michigan over the top and propelled the Wolverines to the playoffs.
The X Factor: CB Mike Senristill
Senrisstill doesn’t get much attention, but he was a leader on Michigan’s defense. He came up with two forced fumbles in the Big Ten championship game against Iowa and was integral in shutting down the Hawkeyes’ offense. He totaled 30 tackles on the season and had four interceptions along with six pass breakups. He started his career at receiver before switching to corner and has established himself as a potential NFL draft pick on defense over the past two seasons.
How Michigan wins: Offense at its peak
The offense hasn’t been at its best the past few weeks, but it’s done enough to stay undefeated. In the postgame press conference after the Big Ten title game, Jim Harbaugh said the team needs to clean up some things in pass protection and the running game to have success in the playoffs. The defense has been outstanding all season, but with the teams Michigan will face in the playoffs, the Wolverines will need to put up more points. That means Corum puts up big numbers and quarterbacks JJ McCarthy Complementing the running game with the passing attack is what we saw earlier in the season. — By Tom VanHaren
Key Player: QB Jalen Milro
Since his benching against South Florida in Week 3, Jalen Milroe has been one of the most dynamic players in college football. He accounted for 28 touchdowns and turned the ball over just five times to lead the Crimson Tide to 11 wins. His ability to scramble for big gains and buy time in the pocket makes him extremely difficult for any defense to guard, but he also has a big arm and connects with his receivers repeatedly on deep throws. Georgia coach Kirby Smart compared the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Milrow to Lamar Jackson last week because of his acceleration in the open field and arm strength to push the ball down the field. Alabama coach Nick Saban said the Crimson Tide will not be in this position Milrow did not respond in kind to his benching And continues to improve and “be our point guard.” Milrow’s decision-making improved significantly as the season progressed, and that says a lot because he played with more freedom and confidence because Saban told him unequivocally that was his job.
X Factor: OLB Dallas Turner
Turner is Alabama’s biggest disruptor on defense. The junior is the Tide’s best pass-rusher and can change the complexion of a game with a big sack or a tackle for loss that kills an opposing offense’s drive. Turner led Alabama with 14.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and 13 quarterback hurries. Championship teams need a big-play defender who can throw opposing offenses out of rhythm. The 6-4, 252-pound Turner is that player for the Crimson Tide.
How Alabama won: Hanging around and being there at the end
Alabama is one of the most resilient teams in the country. The Tide has trailed five times in the second half in SEC games this season and rallied to win. In other words, they know how to win close games, and the more they play, the more confident they become in being able to finish games. Alabama’s offense isn’t necessarily built for high-scoring showdowns and coming back from big deficits. But if the Tide are in the game in the fourth quarter, that’s their comfort zone. They don’t falter, and Milro delivered in a pressure-packed situation. — Chris Lowe
No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
CFP Semifinals at Allstate Sugar Bowl
When: Monday, January. 1, 8:45 p.m. ET
Where: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
How to watch: ESPN and the ESPN app
Opening Line: Texas-4
New Orleans would be the unlikely site for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian to reunite with the program, Washington, he led for five seasons before moving to USC. Both teams won their respective conference titles in their final seasons, Texas in the Big 12 and Washington in the Pac-12, before moving them to the SEC and Big Ten the following year.
In two seasons in Washington, coach Kalen DeBoer has led the Huskies to new heights, winning 24 of 26 games as they head into the playoffs with a national-best 20-game winning streak. Sarkisian’s transition to Austin didn’t happen overnight, but it took him just three seasons to restore the Longhorns to a national power. The game will feature two of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Texas’ Quin Yers.
Key players: WR Rome Odunje
Even as a quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Raised in Heisman Trophy consideration, Odunze has always been the Huskies’ best player. Whenever the team needed a big play, Odunze got the call. This happened, most notably, in the final minute against Oregon in the regular season, when he hauled in the game-winning touchdown. Then it happened again in the Apple Cup when he finished for a monumental first pick on fourth-and-1 from the Huskies’ 29-yard line. Odunze finished the regular season No. 4 in the nation in receiving yards (1,326), No. 6 in receiving touchdowns (13) and is sure to be one of the first receivers off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The X Factor: Arabic Dillon Johnson
As teams devoted more effort to stopping the Huskies’ potent passing offense throughout the season, Johnson became an even more valuable asset. He has rushed for 615 of his 961 regular-season yards over the last five games, with seven touchdowns in that span. The Mississippi State transfer carried 28 times for 152 yards and two scores to help bring down the Ducks on Friday night and should be a key factor in this game.
How Washington won: Penix finds his early season form
At the halfway point of the season, Penix was the clear Heisman front-runner. He had the number. He passed the eye test. Nothing, it seemed, could slow him down. But as the season progressed, something felt off. He was still good enough to lead the Huskies to a 12-0 mark and was No. 2 in passing yards (3,899), but his accuracy slipped and the big plays weren’t as plentiful. Even when he’s at his best, Washington can beat anybody, as evidenced in the Huskies’ 34-31 win over the Ducks on Friday, when Penix threw for 319 yards and a score. — Kyle Bonagura
Key Players: DL T’Vondre sweats
Sweat returns for a super senior year to help Texas complete its turnaround. It’s fair to say the decision turned out to be a huge success, as Sweat became the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year on the inside and helped the Longhorns win the conference championship. At 6-4 and 362 pounds, Sweat is literally a huge part of the Texas defense. But as big as he is, he’s so quick and agile that he wreaks havoc on passing plays despite only having two sacks on the season, because he draws so much attention that it frees up other players, including the 6-1, 308-. pounds Byron Murphy 2, who played next to Sweat and was the league’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. In the conference championship, Sweat even added a touchdown reception and a Heisman pose. The man holds the crowd.
The X Factor: TE I’m Tavion Sanders
with its additions Adnai Mitchell As a threat to get the opposite Xavier Worthy, Sanders has seen a dip in his production, with some nagging injuries also a factor. Last season, he caught 54 passes for 613 yards and 5 TDs; This year he had 31 catches, 502 yards and a score during the regular season. But at 6-4, 243, Sanders is a nightmare matchup for linebackers and a big target for quarterbacks. Queen Years. He could be a key outlet, especially near the goal line, where Texas has struggled most of the season, ranking 104th nationally in red zone offense. Sanders averaged 4.2 catches per game last year, down to 2.6 this year. Entering the Big 12 Championship Game, he had caught five passes in a game just twice this year, and both times he went over 100 yards, including 114 yards against Alabama. But against Oklahoma State on Saturday, he had a season-high eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Sanders could be the cure for the Longhorns’ woes in the end zone if they keep him, especially with Worthy’s ankle injury against OSU raising concerns.
How Texas won: Offensive line defends Queen Years
Longhorns have folds along both lines that match some but with Jonathan Brooks, who had 1,138 yards in 10 games lost this season, will need to find backs to make the running game a factor. But the Texas offense will need a strong performance from quarterback Quin Yers and the passing game. If the offensive line can protect Ewers and keep him upright, the Longhorns have the speed to make big plays on the outside and the potential to deliver when the offense needs it most. — Dave Wilson
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