College Football Playoffs 2015: CFP Schedule and Predictions for Semifinals

New Year's Day marks the start of a new era for the top division of college football. The College Football Playoff era has arrived. The selection process proved the long-awaited playoff wouldn't eliminate all of the controversy, but it should help crown a true champion.

Both of the semifinals are set to take place on the first day of 2015. The marquee quarterback matchup of Marcus Mariota from Oregon against Jameis Winston from Florida State kicks things off before top-seeded Alabama clashes with Ohio State.

If each game lives up to the hype, the semifinals should get the College Football Playoff era off to a memorable start. Let's check out the complete schedule for the event, followed by previews and predictions for Thursday's action.

2015 College Football Playoff Schedule

Bowl	Date	Time	Team	Team
Rose	Jan. 1	5 p.m.	Oregon	Florida State
Sugar	Jan. 1	8:30 p.m.	Alabama	Ohio State
Title	Jan. 12	8:30 p.m.	SF winner	SF winner

Semifinal Predictions

Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Florida State

The Rose Bowl presents an interesting contrast. On one side, an Oregon squad that's posted some gaudy numbers in recent years but failed to reach its ultimate goal of a national title. On the other, a Florida State group that's been forced to win ugly but has emerged victorious 29 straight times.

Of course, the main focus is the aforementioned quarterback battle between Mariota and Winston. The two most recent Heisman Trophy winners bring a unique spotlight to the game, and the one who performs at a higher level could very well end up deciding the game.

If that's the case, FSU would need Winston to showcase 2013 form. His decision-making ability was significantly worse for most of this season. The result was seven more interceptions and 16 fewer passing touchdowns.

Most of those struggles came in the first half. His quarterback rating was more than 20 points worse before the break, highlighted by 13 interceptions as compared to just four in the second half. Another slow start and Oregon could be up 14 before the Seminoles blink.

For the Ducks, the biggest key is continuing the defensive improvement seen in the Pac-12 Championship Game. They held Arizona to just 13 points. In their three other games with ranked opponents, they gave up an average of 28 points.

It's also an important game in the bigger picture. Questions remain about Oregon's playing style and how it translates in big games against teams like Florida State or those from the SEC. A win here would be a step toward earning more respect.

Ted Miller of ESPN passed along comments from linebacker Tony Washington, who isn't convinced the outlook would completely change, though:

"

Who knows? I feel like with media and people and outside voices these days, you never know. We could get there and people would still talk about how "Oregon is not this. Oregon is not that."

"

Ultimately, the two defenses are pretty evenly matched. So this game will come down to which offense is more efficient. Based on the performance of Mariota this season (38 TD, two INT), it's hard to pick against him under that scenario.

Prediction: Oregon 37, Florida State 31

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Ohio State

Ohio State looked like it might miss out on the Top Four in the weeks leading up to selection day. Then the Buckeyes put together an awe-inspiring performance to crush Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten title game to convince the committee to put them in the final four.

The question is whether they can replicate that outing in the semifinal. In order to do that and make the game competitive, they must get the ground game going early. It won't be easy against a Crimson Tide defense that ranks second in the nation against the run.

If OSU isn't able to get that aspect of the attack rolling, it's going to put a lot of pressure on Cardale Jones, and quite frankly, it's impossible to know how he would handle it. He's filled in admirably for J.T. Barrett, but the game changes when the Tide rush is making its presence felt.

The most impressive thing about Alabama has been its ability to adapt. Not only did it beat four ranked teams over its final five games, but it did so with both great defense (20-13 over LSU) and great offense (55-44 over Auburn).

Since the Tide are so deep and so talented in virtually every area, there isn't a scenario where they will be completely out of their element.

That's why it's a surprise that Alabama checks in as only the second choice in the playoff, according to ESPN Stats and Info:

It comes down to this: In order to advance to the final, Ohio State will need to play its second straight perfect game. That's an incredibly difficult task, particularly when you consider the Buckeyes are going up against a battle-tested 'Bama side.

The Crimson Tide should be able to control the pace of the game throughout, even if the score remains relatively close.

Prediction: Alabama 34, Ohio State 27