The long-awaited main event is finally here! Since the early December announcement, college football enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating the showdowns set to take place on New Year’s Day. Despite the season’s imperfections, including Florida State’s absence from the playoffs, only a handful of teams being competitive, and questionable realignment decisions driven by financial interests, the sport never fails to deliver a spectacular show every Saturday on campuses across the nation.
This only gets magnified when the biggest and best programs battle for it all with the eyes of the country on them. The spotlight now shifts to New Year’s Day, which will feature a treat for all sports fans, starting with Alabama battling Michigan at the scenic Rose Bowl and finishing with Texas taking on Washington in the Sugar Bowl. The victors of these clashes will compete for the national championship a week later.
#4 Alabama vs. #1 Michigan (Rose Bowl)
At 5 PM on New Year’s Day, Alabama and Michigan will square off at the scenic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Michigan has seen its head coach, Jim Harbaugh, get suspended twice for three games each time this season. One was a self-imposed suspension for recruiting violations during the COVID dead period, while the latter one occurred due to a sign-stealing scheme that had opponents’ hand signals recorded and decoded by UM staffer Connor Stallions, who has since been fired.
Despite those off-the-field controversies, the Wolverines have remained unfazed on the field, beating fellow top-10 teams Ohio State and Penn State. They boast a 12-0 record for the second consecutive season and secured their third straight Big Ten championship. The only thing left for them to accomplish is to win a College Football Playoff game and truly compete for the national title. With this being UM’s third-consecutive appearance in the Playoff, they hope to learn from their mistakes and utilize their experience to perform well on the biggest stage. Michigan is led by star quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a double-headed monster at running back with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, a robust receiving game led by wideouts Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, and their tight ends led by Colston Loveland.
Photo Cred: Toro Grounds For Success
On defense, UM tops the nation in scoring defense, allowing a mere 9.46 points per game. The Wolverines are also second in total defense, allowing just 239.7 yards per game, only behind Penn State. Defensive standouts include defensive ends Jaylen Harrell and Josiah Stewart, the team’s sack leaders (linebackers Junior Colson and Michael Barrett), and the vaunted secondary led by star cornerbacks Will Johnson and Mike Sainristil. This might be the best Michigan team out of its previous iterations, and they will not go out without a fight as they look to take their program from a regional to a national dynasty.
Photo Cred: The Michigan Daily
However, Michigan’s opponent might be the most formidable one they’ve faced all season. The Alabama Crimson Tide are arriving with a 12-1 record, with their lone loss coming in Week 2 against Texas, and they have not looked back since then. Alabama had a dominant performance in the SEC, including an impressive victory over the back-to-back national champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. In addition to clinching the SEC championship, their victory in that game propelled them into the College Football Playoff. Following quarterback Jalen Milroe’s benching by Nick Saban in their 17-3 triumph over USF, Milroe made a notable comeback the following week against Ole Miss and has demonstrated consistent improvement since. The Wolverines have yet to encounter a quarterback with the level of mobility displayed by Milroe, who boasts 2,718 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, along with 468 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Milroe’s dual-threat ability poses a challenge to Michigan’s top-ranked defense, especially behind Alabama’s physical offensive line. Alabama’s receiving corps, which includes Ja’Corey Brooks, Jermaine Burton, and freshman sensation Isaiah Bond, provides additional weapons for Milroe. Bond is renowned for securing the season-saving, go-ahead touchdown pass against Auburn on fourth-and-goal from the 27-yard line. On defense, future NFL cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold support Alabama’s vaunted defensive front and linebacking core by shutting down opposing receivers. Michigan has encountered difficulties with SEC physicality in the past, succumbing to a previous bowl matchup against the Tide. Additionally, they suffered a decisive defeat to Georgia two years ago in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Photo Cred: Andscape
Even last year, the Wolverines could not chase down the TCU Horned Frogs despite being the favorites, as interceptions and multiple empty red-zone trips cost them a spot in the national championship game. This coaching matchup pits two masterminds against each other, as Nick Saban brings championship pedigree and experience against Jim Harbaugh’s top-level coaching ability. All in all, this should be a fantastic game, as UM has likely learned from its past experiences in the playoffs. With that being said, they might have run into the one team with the talent, coaching, and big-game experience to take them down. Michigan is favored slightly over Alabama as a two-point favorite, with the over/under set at 44.5 points. Despite that, this prediction leans towards Alabama, the underdogs.
Prediction: Alabama 28, Michigan 24
#3 Texas vs. #2 Washington (Sugar Bowl)
Last but not least, the New Year’s Day festivities conclude with the second semifinal matchup. #3 Texas and #2 Washington face off at 8:45 PM in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl. This clash showcases two high-flying offenses set to change conferences next season, with Washington joining the Big Ten and Texas joining the SEC. The teams also faced each other last season in the Alamo Bowl. The current matchup features the undefeated Pac-12 champion against a one-loss Big 12 champion. Texas clinched the Big 12 title for the first time since 2009 on its way out of the conference, defeating Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship game. The Longhorns’ lone loss this season was to No. 12 Oklahoma.
Photo Cred: allstatesugarbowl.org
Texas, led by stars at quarterback (Quinn Ewers) and running back (Jonathon Brooks), features a dynamic group of receivers. Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders are the main stars in that position group. Defensively, Longhorns linebackers Jaylan Ford and Anthony Hill Jr., the team’s leading tacklers, lead the charge. Defensive end Ethan Burke stands out as the team sacks leader with 5.5. Texas averages 36 points per game and holds opponents to under 19 points.
Photo Cred: San Antonio Express-News
Their opponent, the Washington Huskies, boast a similarly potent offense, led by Heisman trophy finalist Michael Penix Jr. and star wide receiver Rome Odunze. Penix passed for more than 4,000 yards and notched 33 touchdowns this season, while Odunze amassed 1,428 receiving yards alongside 13 touchdowns. Additionally, UW running back Dillon Johnson recorded 1,113 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. The Huskies achieved an undefeated record in a challenging Pac-12 conference, securing two narrow victories against the eighth-ranked Pac-12 runners-up, the Oregon Ducks. Each clash was decided by three points. The second encounter took place in the Pac-12 championship game. Washington also triumphed over formidable opponents such as Oregon State, Arizona, and USC. USC QB Caleb Williams is anticipated to be among the top two quarterbacks selected in the NFL draft, underscoring the significance of the victory against the Trojans.
Photo Cred: KOMO News
Their cornerback duo of Dominique Hampton and Jabbar Muhammad will look to slow down the Texas receivers. Washington’s defense features anchors like Edefuan Ulofoshio, Alphonzo Tuputala, and Zion Tupuola-Fetui in the front seven. Each of those players have multiple sacks from the linebacker and defensive end positions. The Huskies average 37.7 points per game while allowing 23.6 points per game. This matchup features two similar opponents with spectacular passing offenses and strong defenses, so it is expected to be a high-scoring affair. Texas is favored by 4.5 points over Washington in this matchup, with the over/under set at a whopping 64 points! Once again, the prediction gravitates towards the underdogs Washington.
Prediction: Washington 41, Texas 35
