College Football Playoff: Title chances, predictions and what to watch for in New Year's Day semifinals
Welcome to Before The Snap, For The Win’s college football series where we’ll break down the sport’s trending storylines, examine each week’s biggest matchups and track the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy races.
After a hectic and unpredictable season, the College Football Playoff semifinals are happening on New Year’s Day, starting with No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl (which is not actually at the Rose Bowl) and followed by No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. The undefeated Crimson Tide are heavy favorites against the Fighting Irish, while the spread for the Tigers and Buckeyes’ matchup is much smaller.
So ahead of this season’s CFP semifinals, here’s a quick breakdown of the teams (per ESPN’s FPI) and odds (according to BetMGM), what we’re looking for and, of course, our predictions for which teams end up in the national title game on January 11.
College Football Playoff semifinal: Rose Bowl
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0)
Chance to win semifinal: 81.1 percent Chance to win national title: 52.4 percent Yards/game: 543.9 Yards allowed/game: 351.2 Average margin of victory: 30.2 Spread: Alabama -20 (as of Dec. 30)No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1)
Chance to win semifinal: 18.9 percent Chance to win national title: 5.5 percent Yards/game: 455.2 Yards allowed/game: 335.1 Average margin of victory: 16.6College Football Playoff semifinal: Sugar Bowl
No. 2 Clemson Tigers (10-1)
Chance to win semifinal: 50.0 percent Chance to win national title: 21.1 percent Yards/game: 507.6 Yards allowed/game: 298.5 Average margin of victory: 27.4 Spread: Clemson -7 (as of Dec. 30)No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0)
Chance to win semifinal: 50.0 percent Chance to win national title: 21.0 percent Yards/game: 529.2 Yards allowed/game: 358.0 Average margin of victory: 21.5Which teams will advance to the national championship game?
As of Wednesday, December 30, per BetMGM:
Alabama vs. Clemson -250 Alabama vs. Ohio State +280 Notre Dame vs. Clemson +1000 Notre Dame vs. Ohio State +2800Predictions?
Evan’s prediction: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 2 Clemson
Michelle’s prediction: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 2 Clemson
Sure, this is the easy pick, but it just feels like we’re headed toward the fifth Alabama-Clemson College Football Playoff matchup.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.