College Football Playoffs: Breaking Down Top Storylines from 2015 Semifinals

You probably don't need much of an excuse to watch the first annual College Football Playoff. After all, fans of the sport have been clamoring for a playoff for years. These games are appointment viewing. 

But still, when Oregon faces Florida State and Alabama takes on Ohio State, there will be some fascinating storylines to follow. Let's break down all the intrigue that comes with these semifinal matchups.

Marcus Mariota vs. Jameis Winston

Who isn't excited about a clash between Oregon and Florida State that includes this year's Heisman winner, Marcus Mariota, matching up against last year's winner, Jameis Winston?

Mariota's numbers this season (3,783 passing yards, 669 rushing yards, 53 total touchdowns) trumped Winston's stats, but Winston can boast he's led Florida State to consecutive undefeated seasons and a national championship.  

The two best players from the past two seasons are about to do battle in the first-ever College Football Playoff with the chance to prove who is the better player. Consider it an audition to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback next season. 

Urban Meyer vs. Nick Saban

Urban Meyer won two national championships with Florida and is a stunning 36-3 since taking over as Ohio State's coach. Nick Saban has led Alabama to three national titles in the past five years. And now two of the finest coaches in college football get to match wits.

Oh, baby.

These two have faced one another three times, with Saban holding a 2-1 advantage in the series, while the pair split their two meetings in the SEC Championship Game, with Florida winning in 2008 and Alabama taking their revenge in 2009. Both programs would go on to win a national championship after those SEC title games. 

The winner of this contest may end up doing the exact same thing.

Was Ohio State Justifiable Selection for Playoff?

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Two college programs in particular are going to be watching Ohio State's game against Alabama with keen interest—TCU and Baylor.

The two Big 12 schools surely feel they were snubbed in favor of Ohio State, and if Alabama blows out the Buckeyes, there will be a lot of anger coming from those respective campuses toward the selection committee. In many ways, Ohio State isn't just playing to win, they are also playing to justify the decision made by the committee in the first place.

Sure, TCU and Baylor likely split their own vote by each finishing with a loss in the Big 12. But each will have a case that they should have been picked ahead of Ohio State should the Buckeyes come out flat against Alabama. 

Clash of the Titans

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These four schools were college football royalty during the BCS era.

The last three BCS titles, four of the last five and six overall were won by teams in the playoff (Florida State in 2013, Alabama in 2009, 2011 and 2012 and Ohio State in 2002). At least one of these four teams also reached the BCS National Championship Game in 11 of the 16 years it was contested.

You couldn't ask for much more prestige in the first-ever College Football Playoff, in other words.