College Football Playoff: What to Watch in the Semifinals
FSU versus Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Alabama against Ohio St. in Sugar Bowl.
— -- ROSE BOWL
Playoff semifinal: No. 2 seed Florida State (13-0) vs. No. 3 seed Oregon (12-1), 5:10 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Oregon by 9.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The first semifinal in the first College Football Playoff is also the 101st edition of the Rose Bowl, and there's a Heisman Trophy winner on each sideline at the Granddaddy of Them All. Marcus Mariota leads Pac-12 champion Oregon and its offense against Florida State and Jameis Winston, who won the national championship on this same field 360 days ago before extending their current winning streak to 29 games.
KEY MATCHUP
Florida State WR Rashad Greene vs. Oregon CB Troy Hill. Greene is arguably the most accomplished receiver in the Seminoles' rich history at the position, a precise route-runner with speed and senior smarts. The Ducks were eager to match him with All-America cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, but he injured his knee in practice. The job falls to the experienced Hill, who should be locked in on Greene all day.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Florida State: S Jalen Ramsey. The gifted sophomore could be the Seminoles' biggest difference-maker against Oregon's high-scoring offense. Along with his coverage and tackling skills, he has been effective lately on the blitz - which might be the only way to slow down Mariota.
Oregon: RB Royce Freeman. The Ducks' inexhaustible collection of talented tailbacks has another star in this freshman from Southern California who has been outstanding from his first game. He racked up 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Pac-12's top rushing offense, and the Rose Bowl could cement his place on the national stage.
SUGAR BOWL
Playoff semifinal: No. 4 seed Ohio State (12-1, 8-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 1 seed Alabama (12-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Alabama by 9.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Under the new College Football Playoff system, the Sugar Bowl doubles this season as a national semifinal, with the winner advancing to the national championship game in Dallas against the winner of the other semifinal, the Rose Bowl matchup between No. 2 seed Oregon and No. 3 seed Florida State.
KEY MATCHUP
Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones, who is making only his second start in place of injured J.T. Barrett, faces an Alabama secondary that has looked vulnerable at times this season. Jones passed for 257 and three TDs with no interceptions in Ohio State's 59-0 victory over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. The Crimson Tide gave up 456 yards passing just two games ago to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, but won the game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ohio State: Defensive end Joey Bosa has 20 tackles for losses, including 13 1/2 sacks. His honors this season include All-American, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Lombardi, Hendricks and Bednarik awards.
Alabama: Wide receiver Amari Cooper was a Heisman Trophy finalist this season. His 115 catches for a nation-leading 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns set Alabama single-season records in each category.