Bowl Predictions 2014: Projections and Odds for Top Matchups
The 2014-15 college football bowl schedule was released Sunday and it is time for the fans of the sport to start deciphering the latest predictions and projections for the top matchups.
With the College Football Playoff committee voting in to the inaugural bracket and a slate full of other intriguing bowl battles, the fans of the sport having trouble saying goodbye to the regular season will be calmed by the postseason possibilities.
Here are the top matchups and the predicted winners in each must-watch, College Football Playoff bowl game.
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| Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl | Minnesota vs. Missouri | Missouri Tigers | -- |
| Outback Bowl | Wisconsin vs. Auburn | Auburn Tigers | -- |
| Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic | Michigan State vs. Baylor | Michigan State Spartans | Baylor (-1.5) |
| Rose Bowl Game Presented By Northwestern Mutual | Oregon vs. Florida State | Oregon Ducks | Oregon (-8) |
| Allstate Sugar Bowl | Alabama vs. Ohio State | Alabama Crimson Tide | Alabama (-10) |
| College Football Playoff National Championship Presented By AT&T | No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 2 Oregon | Alabama Crimson Tide | -- |
*Betting information via OddsShark.com.
Breaking Down Alabama vs. Ohio State
One of the biggest postseason matchups of the year will be the No. 1 overall Alabama Crimson Tide squaring off with the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes in the semifinals of the first-ever College Football Playoff.
Alabama will face Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Crimson Tide have earned their No. 1 spot. They're coming off an SEC Championship Game victory and have won eight games since their lone loss of the season. Based on their overall resume this season and recent performances, their place atop the rankings is deserved.
Alabama may be known for the program’s defensive ability on the field, finishing the season ranked fourth in the nation allowing just 16.6 points per game, but it has been the offense that has helped the team make it to No. 1.
Led by senior quarterback Blake Sims and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, the Crimson Tide have been better than expected thus far, finishing the regular season 17th in the nation with an average of 37.1 points per game. The rushing attack is once again a big part of the game plan (36th overall), but it has been the success of the 22nd-ranked passing attack that deserves the most credit.
When asked about Sims, head coach Nick Saban told reporters, “You love to see a guy who's gone through what he's gone through, who's worked so hard and always persevered, then have success. It's a credit to his character and work ethic.”
As great as Alabama has been, the team will face a tough test against the tenacious Buckeyes. Ohio State has dealt with two devastating, season-ending injuries to quarterbacks Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett, but there is no doubt that the Buckeyes deserve the honor of making the Top Four.
Despite being forced to deal with major obstacles all season, Ohio State finished the year as the Big Ten champions by crushing Wisconsin in decisive fashion. This in spite of the need to trot out former third-stringer Cardale Jones under center.
OSU ranked fourth in the country with an average of 45.2 points scored per game. Add in a defensive unit that is ranked 23rd overall allowing just 21.2 points per game, and the Buckeyes are the kind of all-around team that fans love to watch against top competition this time of year.
Ohio State deserves credit for making a dream run to the Top Four despite adversity, but Alabama is the best team in the nation for a reason. With a superior offensive unit and a better overall defense, the Crimson Tide will use the Buckeyes as a warm-up game for the National Championship.
Predicted Winner: Alabama 33, Ohio State 20
*Stats via ESPN.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
