College Football Playoff 2014-15: Schedule, Odds and Projections for Final 4

The inaugural College Football Playoff has something for everyone.

Of course, fans of Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State will be extremely interested, but it doesn't stop there. This playoff features a Sugar Bowl that will be contested between two of college football's most iconic head coaches, Nick Saban and Urban Meyer. It also boasts a battle between Heisman-winning quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota in the Rose Bowl.

These semifinal contests are undoubtedly must-see TV.

Unfortunately, New Year's Day is still a couple of weeks away, so we're still in for a sizable wait before these four elite squads return to the amateur gridiron. For now, let's take another look at the playoff's schedule to ingrain the essential information in our minds in an effort to ensure we don't miss a moment of action. If you plan on doing some wagering, don't fret. We'll take a look at some updated odds and predictions as well.

Sugar Bowl

Who: Alabama vs. Ohio State

When: Thursday, January 1, 2015

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

Time: 8:30 p.m. EST

Channel: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Info (via Odds Shark):

• Over/Under: 58.5
• Spread: Alabama -9.5

Prediction

Generally when a third-string quarterback—of any team—is slated to face the stingy defense of the Alabama Crimson Tide, many of us begin bracing ourselves for a nightmarish showing. However, that's not quite the case when it comes to Ohio State's Cardale Jones.

The sophomore was thrown into the fire to make his first-career start in the Big Ten Championship Game following a season-ending injury to J.T. Barrett. Making matters worse, he was set to take on a very good Wisconsin defense. Well, as it turned out, he torched the Badgers for 257 yards and three touchdowns in a brilliant performance.

After the game, Jones spoke about his team's role in his confidence during an interview with Sean Merriman of BTN.com,"There's no doubt, I was confident coming into this game. But my teammates and my coaches took my confidence to a whole new level that I've never felt before."

Not only does he have a contingent of very solid players backing him—along with a great head coach—but his showing against Wisconsin has him flying extremely high entering this semifinal clash.

Helping Jones' case, the Crimson Tide hasn't been able to thoroughly prepare for the quarterback due to a lack of film, according to Bill Rabinowitz of The Columbus Dispatch:

So, should Alabama's defense be scared?

Let's not go that far. After all, this is the same defense that held five of the six ranked teams it faced this season to 23 points or fewer. Coming into the Sugar Bowl, the Crimson Tide is ranked fourth in the nation, allowing just 16.6 points per game, but that isn't the team's most important statistic.

Alabama is ranked 17th in the nation in first downs allowed, giving up a total of 211 during the year. That's extremely valuable for the Crimson Tide against an Ohio State team that didn't sustain a scoring drive longer than seven plays with Jones at the helm against Wisconsin. Making the Buckeyes work for first downs and methodically move the ball down the field isn't something they've had to do with their current quarterback.

Accumulating big plays against Alabama isn't exactly easy to do for any quarterback—not matter his confidence level. Expect Jones to find success against the Crimson Tide, but not enough to put Ohio State through to the championship game.

Prediction: Alabama 30, Ohio State 24

Rose Bowl

Who: Oregon vs. Florida State

When: Thursday, January 1, 2015

Where: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

Time: 5 p.m. EST

Channel: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Info (via Odds Shark):

• Over/Under: 71
• Spread: Oregon -9.5

Prediction

Marcus Mariota turned out to be the heir apparent to Jameis Winston, earning this year's Heisman Trophy. Now, the quarterbacks are set to duel in the Rose Bowl.

While Mariota certainly had his share of attention—and rightfully so—winning the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien and Heisman, he focused on his upcoming task against the Seminoles during a press conference, via ESPN.com, "I'm just looking forward to getting back on the field and playing again. We do have a team goal."

Here's what the quarterback had to say during his acceptance speech, via SportsCenter:

A focused Mariota is an enormous threat to Florida State. He won the Heisman for a reason, passing for 3,783 yards and 38 touchdowns against just two interceptions, adding 669 rush yards and another 14 scores. Considering the Seminoles currently hold the nation's 51st-ranked total defense that allows 378.3 yards per game, this signal-caller could be in for another big day.

Oregon has been putting up some massive points all season long. The Ducks are averaging 46.3 points per game, ranking third in the nation in that category and are coming off a 51-point performance against Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Winston has his work cut out for him.

Unfortunately, Florida State's signal-caller saw a massive drop-off in production from his Heisman-winning 2013 season to this year. Here's a look at the comparison:

Season	Pct	Yds	TD	INT	Rating
2013	66.9	4,057	40	10	184.8
2014	65.4	3,559	24	17	147.0

Those aren't the kind of numbers that will allow Florida State to earn another national championship. After all, the Seminoles struggled down the final stretch of the season, winning their last four games by five points or fewer against unranked opponents. Still, Winston will get his chances to produce against an Oregon pass defense that ranks 100th in the nation, allowing an average of 259.5 yards per game through the air.

This game will be a shootout, and while Winston has flourished under center at Florida State in the past, he hasn't been able to duplicate that prowess of late. That's not exactly a comforting fact when he's set to face off against one of the nation's most dangerous signal-callers and reigning Heisman winner.

Prediction: Oregon 42, Florida State 31

All team statistics and rankings courtesy of NCAA.com and current as of December 15.