College Football Championship 2016: Analyzing Schedule and Playoff Matchups

After a hefty hiatus since conference championship weekend, the countdown to the College Football Playoff is now at just four days. 

Alabama and Michigan State meet in what’s a highly anticipated defensive duel, while Oklahoma and Clemson are expected to flash offensive firepower in a shootout. 

Here is a look at the schedule and a few of the latest storylines heading into the semifinal matchups. 

Alabama, Michigan State Avoid Tornado Scare in Dallas

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Dangerous weather hovered downtown Dallas Saturday, not far from AT&T Stadium in suburban Arlington, where Alabama and Michigan State will meet in Thursday’s Cotton Bowl semifinal. 

Massive damage was reported across the area, and the media hotel at one point reportedly evacuated guests to the basement, according to Michael Casagrande of AL.com, who shared the Doppler images of the affected area during Alabama’s practices.

Spokesmen for both teams said each practiced Saturday, according to Nicole Auerbach of USA Today.

Thankfully, the worst of the storm appears to be over, and the Spartans and Crimson Tide remained safe. 

Alabama is a 9.5-point favorite for Thursday’s game, per Odds Shark, and with a win the Crimson Tide will reach their fourth national title game in seven years. They won their first three appearances. 

Michigan State is playing arguably its biggest game in program history, riding the momentum of winning its second Big Ten title in three seasons. 

Both teams’ identities are rooted in rugged defense, and given such a pedigree, the game is expected to be gritty and low-scoring. 

Clemson, Oklahoma Arrive in Miami

Gaston De Cardenas/Associated Press

Clemson and Oklahoma meet in the Sunshine State for the second time in barely over one calendar year in the 2015 Orange Bowl. 

The Tigers and Sooners met in last year’s Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, closing out underachieving seasons by their standards. Clemson won 40-6 and hasn't lost since.

The Tigers remain FBS' lone unbeaten yet head into the semifinal round as 1.5-point underdogs, per Odds Shark. Granted, that spread was as high as four points in Oklahoma’s favor since the game was announced earlier this month. 

Saturday’s arrival in Miami marked the Tigers’ third in five years. They’ve become Orange Bowl regulars. 

“Good to be back,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney told reporters, per Steve Gorten of the Associated Press (h/t Yahoo Sports). "It's always neat when you come to the Orange Bowl because you don't usually have a welcome like this. I'm not sure if anybody was there when we pulled up last year. I don't know.''

Welcome parades aside, now comes crunch time. 

The Sooners are favored for a reason, fulfilling a playoff berth as a season-long dark horse that continued to get better throughout. 

But Clemson has consistently been the most complete team in college football all season. The Tigers have lit up the scoreboard behind Heisman Trophy bridesmaid Deshaun Watson and have countered with a hard-hitting defense that should keep Oklahoma in check. 

The Sooners’ ascension has been nothing short of remarkable, but they’ll finally meet their match.