The College Football Playoff Field is Set
The final four-team College Football Playoff field has been set, and the selection committee faced its toughest decision yet. There were questions about whether an unbeaten Power 5 champion would be left out for the first time, if the SEC would be shunned, and if the No. 1 team going into the conference championship games would fall out. In the end, Big Ten champion Michigan was awarded the No. 1 seed and will face No. 4 Alabama of the SEC. In the other semifinal, Pac-12 champ Washington, the No. 2 seed, will face No. 3 Texas of the Big 12.
No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
Michigan moved up to the No. 1 spot in the rankings after beating Iowa in the Big Ten championship game. They will face an Alabama team that is peaking at the right time. Michigan’s defense will be a challenge for Alabama’s offense, but the Crimson Tide have shown improvement since the beginning of the season. Michigan’s RB Blake Corum and CB Mike Sainristil will be key players to watch. Michigan’s offense needs to perform at its peak to win, while Alabama needs to hang around and be there at the end.
No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
Washington and Texas will face off in the other semifinal. Washington’s WR Rome Odunze and RB Dillon Johnson will be key players to watch, while Texas’ DL T’Vondre Sweat and TE Ja’Tavion Sanders will play crucial roles for their team. Washington’s QB Michael Penix Jr. needs to find his early-season form for his team to win, while Texas’ offensive line needs to protect QB Quinn Ewers.