Bowl Predictions 2023: Projections and Odds For CFP Final and Top Matchups

The most competitive semifinals of the College Football Playoff era could occur on New Years' Day.

The Rose and Sugar Bowls, the two semifinals for the 2023-24 season, opened with point spreads of under a touchdown.

The top-seeded Michigan Wolverines are favored over the Alabama Crimson Tide, who got into the playoff over the Florida State Seminoles, in the Rose Bowl.

No. 2 seed Washington Huskies take on the third-seeded Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl, but unlike the Rose Bowl, the lower-seeded side is favored.

Washington will be an underdog for the second straight game. It won outright as a 10-point underdog in the Pac-12 Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks.

The 2024 semifinals have plenty of expectations to live up to after two close semifinals a year ago, but with the best four teams in place, the performances from all four teams could exceed the ones from a year ago.

College Football Playoff Matchups and Odds

Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 2: Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide avoids the Georgia pass rush during a game between University of Georgia and University of Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

For the latest lines on these games, go to DraftKings.

Rose Bowl (January 1): No. 1 Michigan (-2.5) vs. No. 4 Alabama

Sugar Bowl (January 1): No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas (-4.5)

No. 1 Michigan (-2.5) vs. No. 4 Alabama

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 02: Kris Jenkins #94 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after recovering a fumble during the first half of the Big Ten Championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Michigan enters the Rose Bowl with one clear goal.

The Wolverines need to win a CFB Playoff game. They lost at the semifinal stage to the Georgia Bulldogs and TCU Horned Frogs in each of the last two seasons.

Michigan is only a slight favorite over Alabama, but it was the more complete team throughout the regular season.

The Wolverines flexed their strengths on both sides of the ball with a 26-0 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Michigan's defense allowed just two teams to score more than 17 points against it this season, and it can follow a similar path to victory in the Rose Bowl.

The Wolverines love to control the clock behind running back Blake Corum, and their defense can keep any offense of a rhythm for four quarters.

Alabama earned arguably the best win of the season over the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game, but it displayed some inconsistencies during its 12-1 campaign.

Most notably, the Crimson Tide needed a last-second touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to defeat the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl.

Milroe has improved a ton since the Week 2 loss to Texas, but he could slip up against a Michigan defense that is hard for any team to play against.

No. 2 Washington (+4.5) vs. No. 3 Texas

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 01: Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) celebrates a 1st down during the PAC-12 Football Championship Game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies on December 01, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Washington will relish the underdog role once again in the Sugar Bowl.

The Huskies took that designation personally in the Pac-12 Championship Game, where they outplayed Oregon from start to finish.

Washington has not blown out teams, like top seed Michigan, but it found a way to win throughout the season, including its two victories over Oregon.

Michael Penix Jr. might come into the Sugar Bowl with a Heisman Trophy in tow, but that will be decided between himself, Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix on Saturday.

The Huskies' ability to win close games should help them in the battle with Texas, who played an easier schedule in the Big 12.

Texas had mixed results against ranked foes, as it beat Alabama on the road and blew out the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship Game. It also lost to the Oklahoma Sooners and needed overtime to defeat the Kansas State Wildcats.

Quinn Ewers is more than capable of matching Penix's production in the pocket, but if the game is close, the Huskies have to hold the edge because of how many close games they won.

Washington should be a popular underdog pick, and it would not be surprising to see it closer to a two-or-three-point underdog on New Years' Day.

A win in New Orleans could set up a No. 1-versus-No. 2 matchup with Michigan in a battle of future Big Ten foes.

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