Sugar Bowl 2015: TV, Live Stream Info and Early Predictions

The Sugar Bowl is less than a month away, but college football fans are already looking ahead to the massive matchup. Multiple programs are still vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals, but only two will be chosen.

For now, the New Year's Day bowl game is one of the most unpredictable matchups of the year. Alabama appears to be destined for the No. 1 seed if it beats Missouri in the SEC Championship, but the final spot is up for grabs.

TCU, Florida State, Baylor, Ohio State and even Arizona are all in the hunt heading into their final games of the year. If I had to make a prediction right now, it would be Alabama and TCU competing in the Sugar Bowl for a chance to play for a national championship.

Prior to the announcement this weekend, here's a look at the full broadcast information and predictions for the Sugar Bowl.

Viewing Information

Where: Super Dome in New Orleans

When: Jan. 1, 2015

Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Sugar Bowl Prediction

Despite the huge jump by TCU this past week all the way to the No. 3 spot in the rankings, the Horned Frogs are far from a lock to make the playoff. As crazy as that sounds, it's not so insane after the recent decisions by the committee.

First and foremost, the committee cares not for the overall results on the year but rather how the team performs. For example, TCU actually lost to Baylor—yeah, that happened—and the poll has TCU ahead due to its recent results against top competition.

However, the Frogs face a lowly Iowa State this weekend, while Florida State has a shot at a conference title with a win over highly ranked Georgia Tech. A victory for both might be enough to propel the Seminoles back into the No. 3 spot, as Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports notes:

That actually presents a better situation for TCU by playing in New Orleans, while FSU would be flying across the country to take on Oregon. Regardless of the circumstances, TCU will likely move behind the Noles even with a massive win over Iowa State due to the difficulty of the victory.

Just the simple fact that TCU is even in the playoff picture over the myriad of contending teams is baffling to several analysts. Joe Giglio of The News & Observer and Mike Greenberg of ESPN passed along their thoughts:

Given the way this weekend will likely go down, it appears TCU will still be competing with Alabama for a shot at the title.

The Crimson Tide simply need to take down Mizzou, which seems like a sure thing after cruising to close the season. Coming off a smackdown late against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, Bama will continue to roll over another set of Tigers to make the Sugar Bowl.

Outside of the SEC Championship, Ohio State will have its hands full against Melvin Gordon and the Wisconsin Badgers. If the Buckeyes and Bears lose or struggle against their opponents, TCU will be a lock to make the playoff.

Though some college football fans will be hoping for mayhem, there will be none for the Horned Frogs against an awful Iowa State team. That leaves both Alabama and TCU ringing in the New Year with a chance to compete for a national championship.

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