College Football Playoff: Semifinal Predictios

Happy New Year to all. It's New Year's Eve, and it's time for the 2nd Annual College Football Playoff. Every team dreams of winning a National Championship, but only four still have an opportunity to seize that dream. Those lucky 4 are Michigan State, Clemson, Alabama, and Oklahoma. Who will move on to the National Title Game in Glendale, Arizona? Here is my ever so important opinion on that matter.

Photo creds to www.collegefotballplayoff.com

#4 Oklahoma (11-1) vs. #1 Clemson (13-0) (Orange Bowl)

Photo Creds to Clemsonvs.Oklahoma.com

The quaterback matchup between Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson should be fun to watch. Watson is the best quarterback in college football, while Mayfield may be the hottest. What gives Oklahoma the edge in my mind is that they have more playmakers on offense. Sterling Shephard and Dede Westbrook are deadly receiving duo , and they will be matched up against Mackensie Alexander and the Tiger defense that ranks #7 in the country. The X factor in this game is Oklahomas runningback, Samaje Perine. 

I feel that Perine could be like Zeke Elliot was for Ohio State last year in that he will completely take over the game. The Clemson defense is good, but as Perine stated, they have areas that the Sooners can expose. Clemson is ranked #1, but they haven't been dominant over the past few weeks, and I think OU is playing better football right now. I predict that Oklahoma's no-huddle offense will wear Clemson out, and Mayfield will make the right plays at the right times. Watson will play well, but I think that Zach Sanchez will pick him off at least once in a key situation.  Mayfied and Perine will shine. Boomer Sooner. 

Oklahoma 42, Clemson 34

#3 Michigan State (12-1) at #2 Alabama (12-1) (Cotton Bowl)

This is an intriguing one. Alabama is Alabama, while Michigan State seems like a team of destiny. Unfortunately for Sparty, I think midnight will come for Cinderella. We all know that Derrick Henry is going to get the ball... a lot, and the Heisman winner will wear out Shilique Calhoun and the MSU defense. I expect this game to be a defensive battle, but I have a gut feeling Connor Cook will not bring his A game, and the best front 7 in the country will be waiting for him. The one on one matchup to watch in this one is Michigan State's star reciever, Aaron Burbridge, against Alabama CB, Cyrus  Jones. Burbridge will get some yards, but I don't think Cook will be able to find him enough to cause serious damage. Cook will not rise to the occasion, Henry will, and that will be the difference in an Alabama victory. Also, expect Jake Coker to make a big play or three.

Alabama 24, Michigan State 14.

Alabama vs. Oklahoma, January 11th, University of Phoenix Stadium