The 30+ comically sponsor named bowl games are fun – if you like watching a bunch of mediocre teams play for nothing but a 7-6 record in some cases. But now, it’s time for the important games to begin as Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama all fight to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff Championship game. This is one of the most controversial top fours that we have ever had in the CFP era. Cases can be made for teams like Florida State, Georgia, and Ohio State getting jilted at the altar. However, right, or wrong, these are the four teams we have at the end of the day. Here are our previews of the 2023 CFP Semifinals.
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs No. 4 Alabama
Monday, January 1, 5:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
I really want to know how Michigan players and coaches felt after seeing Alabama’s name pop up on their screens over a team like Florida State. Alabama is never a team that you want to see in the College Football Playoff and regardless of whether they are ranked first or fourth, you know that Nick Saban is going to have his team ready to play. Michigan has probably been the best team in the country from week 1 to the Big Ten Championship Game. In their toughest game against Ohio State, they took care of business and now they have a chance to silence all the Jim Harbaugh haters and put their sign stealing scandal behind them with a win over one of the most polished programs in the country. The Tide started their season off with some bumps. However, outside of their miracle victory against Auburn – 4th and goal at the 31, seriously? – they’ve looked like a national title contender over the last six weeks, capped off by a win over Georgia in the SEC Championship game. It was a win good enough to leave an undefeated Power 5 school out of the CFP for the first time in history. I feel an upset brewing in this game, and I never bet against Nick Saban on the big stage. Prediction: Michigan 24 Alabama 27
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs No. 3 Texas
Monday, January 1, 8:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Texas is practically going to have a home game for this one in New Orleans with most of their fan base within relatively easy driving distance as they try to capture their first championship since a pretty famous one nearly two decades ago. The Longhorns have been solid all year long outside of a loss to Oklahoma which seems odder by the day. With Quinn Ewers as their quarterback, it’s easy to see how dominant their offense can be. In the Big 12 Championship game, the Longhorns won 49-21 and scored 21 in the first quarter. But the Huskies will come to play, and few quarterbacks have been better than Michael Pennix Jr. this season who was up for the Heisman Trophy. The Huskies beat the ‘horns in the Alamo Bowl game last season 27-20. I think this game will be a shootout and the better defense will get the win in the end and that better defense belongs to Texas. Prediction: Washington 34 Texas 38