College Football Playoff Championship 2015: Dates, Schedule, Odds, Predictions
Throw out the obvious national title implications, and both College Football Playoff matchups are must-watch affairs based on star power and program prestige alone.
The Sugar Bowl features two of the blue bloods in college football, pitting the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide against the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes—who posted a 59-0 humiliation of Wisconsin to jump TCU and Baylor for the final spot. When two teams combining for 18 championships get together in a first-of-its-kind semifinal, fireworks are guaranteed.
Look across the bracket, and it's apparent you should be glued to your couch all New Year's Day long. Florida State and Jameis Winston will go up against Oregon and Marcus Mariota in a game that should almost certainly pit two Heisman Trophy winners against each other.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here's a look at the complete schedule for the CFP, including previews and predictions for both semifinals.
| No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State | Jan. 1 | 5 p.m. | ESPN | Oregon 41-30 |
| No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State | Jan. 1 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN | Alabama 31-24 |
| Alabama vs. Oregon (Projected Semifinal Winners) | Jan. 12 | TBD | ESPN | Oregon 38-33 |
| Oregon vs. Florida State | Oregon -9.5 | 71 |
| Alabama vs. Ohio State | Alabama -9.5 | 58 |
Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated December 10.
Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State
To congratulate Cardale Jones on his high-flying starting debut for Ohio State in the Buckeyes' 59-0 win over Wisconsin, the CFP committee matched him up against Nick Saban and the vaunted Alabama Crimson Tide.
Unlike most of their championship runs, the Tide fought an uphill battle to get here after an early loss to Ole Miss set them back. That dynastic feel has been absent from this team at times, but the Tide have left no doubt about their makeup as an elite force down the stretch.
Cecil Hurt of The Tuscaloosa News reported a quote from Saban that reflected that:
Offensive potency has also been a shake-up, with Blake Sims setting a single-season passing record in a season that saw his starting job in flux time and time again. Ohio State hasn't faced a team in the Big Ten that can toss the ball around the yard with weapons such as Amari Cooper and DeAndrew White.
The Buckeyes have shown their grit in an 11-game win streak ever since a 14-point home loss to Virginia Tech, riding a stingy defensive front with Joey Bosa and Joshua Perry. But they will have their hands full slowing down an Alabama offense that—for the first time in the Saban era—can beat you over the top or on the ground just as well.
The lack of tape on Jones should allow him to make some plays against an Alabama secondary that struggles on the deep ball. But with so long to prepare for the inexperienced youngster, you like Saban's chances, as Clay Travis of Fox Sports noted:
The Buckeyes will keep it close, but stalemating Ezekiel Elliott on the ground will force Jones to make plays. He won't be able to keep up with Sims and Co.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Ohio State 24
Rose Bowl: No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State
The most awkward moment in preparation for Florida State and Oregon in the Rose Bowl will likely come Saturday night in New York City.
That moment will be when Winston—last year's Heisman winner—greets Mariota on the stage after Mariota collects what is almost certainly his 2014 Heisman Trophy. Although Winston will concede his active hold of the trophy to a worthy player, he'll be wishing him defeat the next time he steps on the field.
In everything but individual accolades, Winston has liked his chances of victory as the Seminoles look to go unbeaten for the second straight season. Jimbo Fisher made it clear to them after winning the ACC that they weren't done, per ESPN's Joe Schad:
This time a year ago, the 'Noles were ready for an attack like Oregon's—as told by their win over a similar Auburn team in the national championship. But not now.
Florida State has been just getting by against inferior foes, and Georgia Tech showed that sticking to what works on offense can yield strong results. Oregon undoubtedly has a system that works, having passed the 40-point plateau in every appearance since that home loss to Arizona on Oct. 2.
Mariota's dominance has been at the center of that, as USA Today's Paul Myerberg illustrated:
What will help Oregon more than anything against the Seminoles is how magnificently Mariota takes care of the ball. He's thrown only two picks all season, and avoiding turnovers will keep an opportunistic Florida State defense from getting the ball in Winston's hands in favorable spots.
Florida State will have a Heisman winner of its own to get it back into the game late, but it won't matter much with Mariota keeping the teams distanced on the scoreboard. The Seminoles defense won't have an answer for Oregon's high-octane attack, and Winston's late magic won't be enough.
Prediction: Oregon 41, Florida State 30
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
