College Football Championship 2016: Known Schedule and Matchup Predictions

It's been nearly a month since conference championship weekend, and only one day remains before the second annual College Football Playoff. 

Oklahoma and Clemson are expected to duel in an offensive shootout, while Alabama and Michigan State will clash with a pair of the nation’s best defenses.

Here is a look at Thursday’s schedule and some predictions for the semifinal round. 

Bowl	Matchup	Date/Time (ET)	Location
Orange Bowl	No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma	Dec. 31, 4 p.m.	Miami, Fla.
Cotton Bowl	No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State	Dec. 31, 8 p.m.	Arlington, Texas

Orange Bowl

Alex Menendez/Getty Images

Clemson and Oklahoma each ranked among the nation’s top 11 offenses, averaging more than 500 yards and 38 points per game. 

Those margins may not be as high, given each is set to square off against its most formidable foe this season, but there should still be a surplus of explosiveness. 

Clemson will be limited in the absence of deep-threat receiver Deon Cain, who will be suspended for a failed drug test, according to Price Atkinson of ESPN Upstate, and top target Artavis Bryant playing fresh off a meniscus surgery. 

The Tigers will need all hands on deck in their passing game, piling even more pressure on Heisman Trophy runner-up Deshaun Watson. 

The aerial attack shouldn’t be much of a struggle for Oklahoma, which boasts a Heisman-worthy quarterback in Baker Mayfield and arguably the nation’s most balanced receiving corps. 

Sterling Shepard (1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns), Dede Westbrook (674 yards, four touchdowns) and Durron Neal (527 yards, three touchdowns) all rank among the Big 12’s top 20 in receiving. 

But Clemson has overcome adversity in the past and remains college football’s last unbeaten for a reason. It will lean on its rugged defense for support and win what should be a squeaker.

Prediction: Clemson wins 

Cotton Bowl

LM Otero/Associated Press

For those with an appetite for gritty defense, the Cotton Bowl matchup between Alabama and Michigan State will be quite the treat. 

The Crimson Tide and Spartans have both leaned on their defenses to reach the playoff, and Thursday’s semifinal matchup shouldn't be a departure from what we've seen from these teams this season.

Alabama’s Achilles' heel in recent years has been a balanced offense, and Nick Saban admitted Spartans quarterback Connor Cook will be the toughest the Crimson Tide have faced all season, per John Talty of AL.com.

Despite hefty odds in Alabama’s favor—they’re a 9.5-point favorite, per Odds Shark—Michigan State has won its three biggest games in narrow fashion, which is something they’ve been accustomed to of late, per Chris Low of ESPN.com:

Ultimately, Alabama has the championship pedigree, experience and superior talent and should go on to play for their fourth national title under Saban. 

Prediction: Alabama wins