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CFP PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS [Sponsored by Halo Fishing]

SportsBeat!

Written by Aaron Cantin


The 2021 College Football Playoff semifinals are the highlight of New Year’s Eve. No. 1 Alabama meets No. 4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl Classic at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Crimson Tide are overwhelming 14-point favorites in this matchup but does anyone have the Bearcats covering the spread?

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No. 2 Michigan meets No. 3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs are touchdown-favorites in what should be a fun matchup with Big Ten-SEC heat. Do the Wolverines have enough muscle to push the Bulldogs around?


The winners advance to the CFP championship game on Jan. 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Here’s my say on who will be standing come January 10th.


Cotton Bowl: No 1. Alabama vs. No. 4 Cincinnati

There's a feeling that Young and wide receiver Jameson Williams can pitch-and-catch their way to a championship. Alabama might need them to do just that as its offensive line is diminished in the midst of the program's worst rushing season since 2006.


That's reason enough to assume Cincinnati is going to cover the 13.5-point spread as set by Caesars Sportsbook. Its defense is too stout, and Ridder is too dynamic. Dismiss the Bearcats at your own risk.


The Tide have edged ahead at the most important time. They have the nation's best wideout (Williams) and one of its best defenders (linebacker Will Anderson Jr.). Can't run the ball? It may not matter if Young has room to operate. In one season, he's established himself as one of Alabama's best quarterbacks ever.


Cincy is not intimidated. It came within a field goal of Georgia last season and beat Indiana and Notre Dame on the road this season. Ridder might be the more dynamic overall dual-threat than Young. Running back Jerome Ford transferred from Alabama, coming to Cincinnati to play in big games.


An upset would be one of the most significant in postseason history. It won't happen, but making Alabama a two-touchdown favorite is a bit too much. This Cincinnati defense is new Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman's love letter to the Bearcats. He recruited and coached many of the players.


Orange Bowl: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Georgia

A magic season is now stamped with more question marks than The Riddler. Every time Georgia gets to this point, something seems to go wrong. The defense that choked off everything was exposed against the Tide.

Suddenly, the team of destiny in this semifinal is actually Michigan. It has the goods to stifle Bennett and an underperforming Georgia offensive line. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (14 sacks) just might be the best defender in the country. Teammate David Ojabo has 11 sacks himself.


Michigan just seems like a cuddly, feel-good story. There is Harbaugh Karma. The goal is to get back to Indianapolis for the title game where Harbaugh's name is on the Colts' ring of honor inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The Wolverines continue to find inspiration. The latest is finishing No. 2 in the final CFP Rankings.


The Wolverines have climbed hurdles bit by bit -- beating Ohio State for the first time in a decade, winning the Big Ten for the first time since 2004. Why not go after the first national championship since 1997?


The matchups are good for Michigan. It has a pass rush and secondary to go against Georgia's limited pass catchers. It would help the effort if Dawgs WR George Pickens continues to rebound from a knee injury that kept him out most of this season. Freshman Brock Bowers might be the best tight end in the country. Michigan RB Blake Corum -- still recovering from a foot issue -- has the home-run ability. He's hit for runs of 55 yards (vs. Ohio State) and 67 yards (vs. Iowa) in the last two games.


Picks:

No 1. Alabama over No. 4 Cincinnati (Cincinnati cover spread)

No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Georgia (Michigan covers spread)


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