College Football Playoff Semifinals Bold Predictions

1. Clemson knocks off Oklahoma to stay undefeated

The Tigers are ranked #1 and hold the only perfect record in college football, but Vegas has the Sooners as 3.5-point favorites in the Orange Bowl.  News also broke yesterday that Clemson sent home 3 players for breaking team rules, including stand-out receiver Deon Cain.  But I think Deshaun Watson puts the team on his back in a gutsy performance to earn a title game bid.  Clemson beats Oklahoma, 38 - 35.

2. Michigan State triumphs over Alabama

The biggest underdog of this year's playoff is Dantonio's squad, but that's exactly where the Spartans want to be.  Michigan State has been at their best in the underdog role in recent years, and I expect no different from them on New Year's Eve.  MSU wins, 27 - 23.

3. CFP semifinal winners score at least 30 points fewer than last year's Ducks and Bucks

They say that defense wins championships, but last year Ohio State and Oregon proved that a potent offense is good enough to get you to the championship game.  The OSU and UO offenses combined for 101 points on New Year's Day of 2015, setting the bar high for this year's competitors.  I think Oklahoma and Clemson could both rack up some points, but I expect the game between Michigan State and Alabama to be fairly low-scoring.  My guess is the winner's combine for 70 or 71 points, at most.

4. Spartans hold Heisman winner Derrick Henry under 100 rushing yards

Henry has been difficult to stop this season, to say the least, but I think the Michigan State defense is up to the task.  The MSU offense may actually make the difference here.  If Connor Cook can keep the Spartans ahead of the Crimson Tide, It will go a long way in keeping Henry from really getting going.  The running back has been most dangerous late in games, as Alabama goes into clock-killing mode and the opponent's defense is worn down.  If Michigan State avoids this situation then I think they have a decent chance to shut down the 2015 Heisman winner.

5. Orange Bowl announcers don't mention last year's 40 - 6 Russell Athletic Bowl blowout

You might not know this, but Oklahoma and Clemson met in the 2014 postseason in the highly prestigious Russell Athletic Bowl.  It did not go well for the Sooners.  But, since no one else seems to remember this very important game, I'm sure the announcers for the Orange Bowl won't mention it.