The College Football Playoff semifinals are almost here, but first, fans will be treated to three early games on New Year’s Day as part of the Holiday Monday lineup.
The day will kick off with a showdown between LSU and Wisconsin in the Sunshine State twosome of SEC vs. Big Ten contests. While LSU’s Heisman-winning QB Jayden Daniels is expected to sit out, the team’s offense will still be in good hands with Garrett Nussmeier at the controls and standout WR Malik Nabers in the game. Wisconsin, on the other hand, will be without its main weapon RB Braelon Allen, who is headed to the NFL draft. The game is expected to be a battle of defenses, with both teams looking to make a statement.
In the second early game, Iowa will take on Tennessee in a matchup that promises to be a defensive showdown. Tennessee QB Joe Milton will be sitting out, leaving the starting debut to dynamic freshman Nico Iamaleava. Meanwhile, Iowa QB Deacon Hill will look to lead his team to victory against the tough Tennessee front seven.
The non-playoff portion of the major bowls will conclude with a matchup between Oregon and Liberty. Liberty, eager to prove they belong with the big boys, will face off against an Oregon team that has had success in the Pac-12. The game is expected to be high-scoring, with Liberty’s QB Kaidon Salter leading a high-octane attack against Oregon’s defense.
After the early games, the focus will shift to the highly anticipated semifinal contests, with Alabama taking on Michigan and Washington facing Texas. These matchups will determine which teams will advance to the final and compete for the ultimate prize in college football.
The winners of these games will be the favorites in the final, but they shouldn’t count out their opponents. Both matchups promise to be entertaining and full of excitement, with talented players on both sides looking to make a statement on the biggest stage of college football.