College Football Playoff 2014-15: Predictions, Odds, Schedule for Final 4 Teams
With the debate and controversy aside, the College Football Playoff can finally be anticipated for what will come instead of what won't.
Folks around the Big 12 ended up disappointed, but the average college football fan is nothing short of ecstatic for the pair of inaugural national semifinals. Four of the most prestigious programs in college football made the cut, and both matchups feature endless storylines to dissect.
Whether it's a rematch between two legendary coaches or a high-flying showdown amongst elite quarterbacks, the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl boast a lot more than national title implications.
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Let's take a look at the entire College Football Playoff schedule, fit with odds and predictions.
| Jan. 1 | No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State | 5 p.m. | ESPN | ORE -9.5 | Oregon 41-30 |
| Jan. 1 | No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN | ALA -9.5 | Alabama 31-24 |
| Jan. 12 | Alabama vs. Oregon (Projected Semifinal Winners) | TBD | ESPN | - | Oregon 38-33 |
Note: Game odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated December 11.
Odds to Win National Championship
| Alabama | 20-23 |
| Oregon | 163-100 |
| Ohio State | 10-1 |
| Florida State | 10-1 |
Note: National title odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated December 11.
Rose Bowl: No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State
Florida State has been winning ugly on its way to the first CFP, just asking that its unbeaten record would be enough to grant it a seat at the table. Now, the Seminoles travel across the country to face a team that wins as pretty as could be.
The 'Noles take their 29-game winning streak into the Rose Bowl to face an Oregon team that, despite one loss, has resembled the dominant power Florida State proved itself to be en route to last year's title.
It's been a troublesome year for quarterback Jameis Winston in many respects, most notably his turnover problem, throwing 17 picks on the year. But his Seminoles have been getting it done in the clutch moments, even as they were being counted out down the stretch.
They will be counted out yet again come New Year's Day, but head coach Jimbo Fisher explained his team's mindset in every game, per Palm Beach Post's Tom D'Angelo:
Motivation shouldn't be a problem for Florida State with everything on the line, but containing Marcus Mariota will be. The Oregon quarterback has torched opponents both on the ground and via the air, posting at least 300 total yards in his last seven games.
After a 31-24 loss to Arizona on Oct. 2, the Ducks have been disposing of their competition easily. They haven't posted a win by less than 12 points since September, scoring 40 points in every game since that loss to the Wildcats.
Head coach Mark Helfrich was determined to keep up his team's late success Thursday, per Andrew Greif of The Oregonian:
Florida State won't be able to flip the field position with turnovers against Mariota, but keeping him out of the end zone will prove even tougher. Winston's poise and leadership will keep the Seminoles in it, but Oregon won't be stopped.
Prediction: Oregon 41, Florida State 30
Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State
A week before the final CFP group of four was selected, it was wondered whether the SEC—if Alabama fell in the conference title game—and the Big Ten would both end up missing out. As it turns out, their two flagship programs will battle in it.
That matchup features the top-ranked Crimson Tide up against the peaking Ohio State Buckeyes, also matching two prestigious head coaches in Nick Saban and Urban Meyer. The two are no strangers to facing off with such huge implications, having battled twice in SEC Championship Games (2008 and 2009) that also felt like national semifinals.
But 2014 is a different year, and things haven't come easy for either squad. Alabama had to bounce back from a road loss to Ole Miss, while the Buckeyes were topped by a 6-6 Virginia Tech team on their home turf early in the year.
Even heading into Week 15, this wasn't expected of Ohio State, ranked at No. 6 and breaking out a new quarterback in Cardale Jones. But after the Buckeyes throttled Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten title game, they proved everything they needed to.
They're obviously sizable underdogs against the top-ranked Tide, but Meyer likes his team's chances, per ESPN's Joe Schad:
It wouldn't be jumping the gun to expect another successful outing from Jones in the passing game. Alabama's defense, while vaunted, can struggle deep down the field, and Jones' big arm can deliver the blows to speedy receivers Devin Smith and Jalin Marshall.
Even so, Jones won't have nearly enough to keep up with Alabama on the scoreboard. A reinvigorated offense behind offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has put quarterback Blake Sims in perfect positions to make the winning plays, and Kiffin will keep things simple for Sims until opportunities open up down the field.
The Crimson Tide defense will eliminate Ezekiel Elliott's impact in the Ohio State running game, forcing Jones to win the game by himself. He'll have a great game, but nowhere near enough to oust the Tide.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Ohio State 24
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