College Football Playoff Semifinals Preview: Michigan Vs. Alabama, Texas Vs. Washington
The final iteration of the four-team College Football Playoff kicks off Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (13-0) play the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) in the Rose Bowl while the No. 2 Washington Huskies (13-0) face the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl. Winners from each game convene in Houston for the National Championship Game on Jan. 8.
Watch each game on ESPN Networks, with local broadcasts being offered on ESPN+. The Rose Bowl kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT, while the Sugar Bowl follows at 8:45 p.m. ET.
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan Vs. No. 4 Alabama
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy will lead the Wolverines as they compete once again in a College Football Playoff semifinal game.
A third straight victory over Ohio State and a third straight Big Ten title capped a season marred by controversy for Michigan. Regardless of the future ramifications, the Wolverines were awarded the No. 1 overall seed in the Playoff and a date with Alabama in Pasadena.
Michigan will go into this game down star lineman Zak Zinter, who suffered an injury in Week 13. Otherwise, few teams have the same clean bill of health as they do in this game. J.J. McCarthy played his best season yet, even being a Heisman frontrunner for a stretch this year. But the real damage was once again done on the defensive side of the ball. They finished first in points per drive allowed on the season and first in net points per drive.
Alabama, on the other hand, fully turned around what looked to be a lost season. The offense was broken, culminating in a sloppy 17-3 finish with USF in Tampa. But the Tide gathered their wits and ran the table – behind incredible play from QB Jalen Milroe – ultimately defeating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
Michigan has the defense to contain the Alabama downfield passing attack. Aside from smatterings of Marvin Harrison Jr., passing attacks have been futile against the Maize and Blue. Both teams rely on defense, but nobody has the momentum Michigan does at this moment.
The pick: Michigan, 30-17
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington Vs. No. 3 Texas
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (93) celebrates a defensive stop during the Big 12 Championship game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Arlington.
Washington rocketed to the top of the nation despite a constant underlying tone of skepticism. They toppled Oregon twice, both times as underdogs, and defied the oddsmakers time and time again. Now, in their second-ever Playoff appearance, they're once again underdogs to Texas.
The Longhorns are just one last-second drive by Oklahoma away from an unbeaten season. While the offense overwhelmed opponents – namely by a three-headed backfield and a bottomless well of receiver talent – it was the defense that led the way for Texas. T'Vondre Sweat finished with Heisman consideration and the rushing defense smothered opponents.
Although the Huskies beat the odds week-in and week out, the bubble is growing large. The parallels between this UW team and last year's TCU team are uncanny; is this where that luck bubble bursts?
Ultimately, Texas is the more complete team firing on all cylinders. The offense can match much of what Washington does while the defense is superior to that of the Huskies.
The pick: Texas, 38-23
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