College Football Championship 2016: Predictions for Semifinal Matchups
New Year's Eve rings in 2016 in style for gridiron fans when the College Football Playoff semifinals kick off.
Alabama is the only returning CFP participant from last year and takes on Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl. Preceding that epic matchup is a duel between the high-octane offenses of Clemson and Oklahoma.
All teams involved are a mere two wins away from national championship glory. Let's take a deeper dive into the featured bowls and project who will square off for the CFP title on January 11, 2016.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| Dec. 31 | 4 p.m. | Orange Bowl | No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma | Clemson |
| Dec. 31 | 8 p.m. | Cotton Bowl | No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State | Alabama |
Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
The quarterbacks alone make this showdown worth tuning in for. Clemson's Deshaun Watson was a Heisman Trophy finalist. His counterpart, Baker Mayfield, was overlooked, as has been customary throughout his career.
Most interesting about this matchup is the collective chip the Sooners will have on their shoulder to avenge last year's 40-6 loss to Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Mayfield embodies that paradigm.
"We listen to the commentating," said Mayfield on Monday, per FoxSports.com's Bruce Feldman. "It motivates us…how disrespectful it was. They said it was like the scout team versus the varsity, and that it was embarrassing for coach (Bob) Stoops."
Although both teams are far different than last year, one of the more impressive aspects of these Tigers is how well their defense has played.
After losing Vic Beasley and Stephone Anthony from the front seven, a new sack master in Shaq Lawson emerged to help the cause. TigerIllustrated.com's Larry Williams alluded to how well Lawson has acquitted himself with such big shoes to fill:
B.J. Goodson has picked up the slack as a playmaker at middle linebacker. Others have stepped up to comprise the nation's No. 7 defense in terms of total yards allowed per game.
Oklahoma is solid at all three levels of its defense, highlighted by cornerback Zack Sanchez and pass-rusher Eric Striker, but simply doesn't have a game-breaker like Lawson on the defensive side of the ball.
A swifter bunch of Clemson linebackers are bound to keep Mayfield contained, which will limit his effectiveness. In terms of natural ability and dynamic athleticism, Watson has the clear edge among this contest's dual-threat signal-callers.
Due to his knack for making plays and how well he's carried himself all year, Watson and the superior Clemson defense will do enough to outweigh Oklahoma's vengeance factor and deliver a victory.
Prediction: Clemson 31, Oklahoma 21
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State
No team has more sacks than Alabama with 46. Its defensive line is headed by A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed. Both are realistic first-round NFL draft prospects.
With Reggie Ragland roaming the linebacker corps for the Crimson Tide as well, Michigan State QB Connor Cook and Co. have their work cut out to hang points on coach Nick Saban's SEC powerhouse.
Cook is a senior and a savvy veteran who is as capable as anyone of picking a vulnerable Tide secondary apart. The question is whether the Spartans offensive line can hold up long enough to protect Cook and give him enough time to go to work.
As stout as Sparty's top-10 run defense has been all season, it hasn't faced anyone quite as imposing as Alabama Heisman winner Derrick Henry. The bruising ball-carrier runs behind a bulky line of big men in the trenches and can wear down even the most formidable foe.
In last year's College Football Playoff loss to eventual national champion Ohio State, Henry only had 13 carries to current NFL standout T.J. Yeldon's 10. Blake Sims attempted 36 passes—hardly the type of philosophy or balance Saban prefers.
Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod was keen to observe the lack of touches Henry previously had during Sunday's Cotton Bowl media session:
Jake Coker isn't as decorated or highly touted as Cook, yet he does have the ability to manage a game and make enough plays to allow Alabama to advance. The Tide need to do what they've done of late: feed Henry on a constant basis and break the opponent's collective will.
Henry has endured a heavy workload with 90 carries in his past two games that went for 460 yards and two touchdowns. With a lengthy layoff to rest up and recover, he'll be set to get downhill on Michigan State and be the driving force behind another Alabama triumph.
Prediction: Alabama 20, Michigan State 17
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
