College Football Championship 2015: Predictions for Top Playoff Matchups

Enjoy bowl season while it lasts, because it's about to be College Football Playoff season.

Sure, the bowl games continue all through New Year's Day, even with a couple of games after the duo of CFP semifinals. But as we near the end of 2014 and the start of 2015, the focus will be shifting almost entirely to the first-ever four-team playoff—as if the focus hasn't been there over the last few weeks as it is.

But now that only a few days separate us from college football history, it's officially time to study up on the games if you haven't already.

In order to do just that, take a look below.

Rose Bowl Game	Time (ET)	TV	Odds	Prediction
Sugar Bowl	Time (ET)	TV	Odds	Prediction
No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State	5 p.m.	ESPN	ORE -9	Oregon 41-30
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State	8:30 p.m.	ESPN	ALA -9	Alabama 31-24

Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated December 28

Rose Bowl: No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 FSU

USA TODAY Sports

Having an undefeated record might be the only thing Florida State can boast over Oregon as the two get ready for a shootout at the Rose Bowl.

Yes, the Ducks have a lone blemish on their record with a home loss to Arizona. But along with remedying that loss in the Pac-12 Championship Game, Oregon has absolutely bludgeoned every opponent it has faced.

The Ducks only have one win by single digits, back in September. Ever since the loss to the Wildcats, they've outscored every opponent by at least double-digits. Meanwhile, seven of Florida State's wins came by six points or fewer—most in ugly fashion.

Along with a different style of winning, FSU has a much less careful offense in the passing game. Although both quarterbacks have Heisman Trophies, Jameis Winston has struggled mightily in 2014 with 17 interceptions while Marcus Mariota has taken care of the ball much better, as ESPN SportsCenter shows:

The loss of star cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has the Oregon secondary scrambling, but Troy Hill seems more than ready to fill in as the No. 1 corner and cover FSU's Rashad Greene. Hill isn't scared of filling Ekpre-Olomu's shoes.

"I always treat it like I'm the No. 1, he's the No. 1," Hill told The Oregonian's Tyson Alger. "I always feel like I play to his standard. He's the leader. He set the role and we all try to play up to his level so we all felt like we were No. 1 on that secondary." 

The loss of Ekpre-Olomu will hurt, but not enough to keep Oregon from forcing a couple of Winston turnovers. That alone will be enough to allow Mariota the possessions necessary to get out to an early lead, forcing the 'Noles to play from behind all game.

They're used to playing from behind, but Oregon is also used to putting away opponents when it has the opportunity. The Ducks won't waste that opportunity at the Rose Bowl.

Prediction: Oregon 41, FSU 30

Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State

Two high-octane, high-powered offenses will meet in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, but Alabama and Ohio State pose very different and unique problems on each end.

For the Buckeyes, their defense knows what is coming. 

The Crimson Tide offense has been hurling fire all season with offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin putting Blake Sims in positions to be successful. That's not very hard to do when you have Amari Cooper on the outside and a burly running game with T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry.

Ohio State doesn't have slouches on the defensive side, though, as Joey Bosa and Joshua Perry are ready to take them on. Bosa said as much to Jeff Svobada of Scout.com:

The Buckeyes can look to a year of film to know what to expect, but it's not that simple for Alabama. The Tide have to prepare for sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones, who played great against Wisconsin after being thrust into action following injuries to Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett.

There's nothing that would help him out more than a big day from Ezekiel Elliott, who scampered for more than 200 yards in Jones' first start. Jim Dunaway of JoxFM.com noted Ezekiel's pregame thoughts:

Although Elliott ran wild against a Wisconsin run defense that was among the nation's best before then, doing the same against Alabama will be impossible. The Crimson Tide boast the nation's best run defense, giving up just 88.7 yards per game on the ground.

Jones will have success against a susceptible Alabama secondary that was torched the last two times out, but it won't be enough to overcome the Tide offense. Sims and Co. will be slowed throughout some of the game, but will emerge on a couple of late touchdown drives to seal the deal.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Ohio State 24