CFB: College Football Playoff Preview

Rose Bowl: #1 Alabama (11-0) vs #4 Notre Dame (10-1): Alabama and Notre Dame will meet on Friday, Jan. 1 at 4:00 PM in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl in Arlington, Texas. The Crimson Tide are favored by 19.5-points, the most ever in a CFP matchup. Alabama's offense is led by Heisman frontrunners Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith (1,511 yards, 98 receptions) and we fully expect them to be able to move the ball consistently even if Kyle Hamilton and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah are on their A-game. In order for the Fighting Irish to have a chance, Kyren Williams (1,061 yards, 12 TD) has to keep moving the chains and Ian Book has to limit mistakes. According to ESPN FPI, Alabama has a 80.8% chance to advance.

Staff Picks:

Caleb Henderson: Alabama (45-17)

Charles Post: Alabama (44-23)

Chinedum Wejinya: Alabama (49-20)

Raven Martín: Alabama (35-24)

Tyler Taylor: Alabama (42-21)

MVP:

1. DeVonta Smith (Alabama)

2. Najee Harris (Alabama)

3. Patrick Surtain II (Alabama)

4. Will Anderson (Alabama)

5. Ian Book (Notre Dame)

X-Factor:

1. Mac Jones (Alabama)

2. Christian Barmore (Alabama)

3. Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)

4. Christian Harris (Alabama)

5. Kyren Williams (Notre Dame)

Sugar Bowl: #2 Clemson (10-1) vs #3 Ohio State (6-0): Clemson and Ohio State will square off on Friday, Jan. 1 at 8:00 PM In the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Tigers come into the game as 7.5-point favorites are beating the Buckeyes 29-23 a year ago. Clemson will look to test Ohio State's secondary early and often so don't be surprised if Trevor Lawrence (2,753 yards, 22 TD) takes a deep shot to Amari Rodgers on the opening drive. As for the Buckeyes, Justin Fields (1,521 yards, 15 TD) should feel more comfortable with lead receiver Chris Olave healthy after missing the Big Ten championship game. According to ESPN FPI, Ohio State has a 50.2% chance to pull off the upset.

Staff Picks:

Caleb Henderson: Clemson (31-21)

Charles Post: Clemson (36-31)

Chinedum Wejinya: Clemson (27-20)

Raven Martín: Clemson (37-30)

Tyler Taylor: Ohio State (35-34)

MVP:

1. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)

2. Justin Fields (Ohio State)

3. James Skalski (Clemson)

4. Chris Olave (Ohio State)

5. Amari Rodgers (Clemson)

X-Factor:

1. Shaun Wade (Ohio State)

2. Travis Etienne (Clemson)

3. Derion Kendrick (Clemson)

4. Haskell Garrett (Ohio State)

5. Trey Sermon (Ohio State)

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report.