A quick look at the College Football Playoff semifinals

ROSE BOWL

▪ WHO: Florida State (13-0) vs. Oregon (12-1)

▪ WHEN/WHERE: Jan. 1, 4 p.m., Pasadena, Calif.

▪ TV/RADIO: ESPN, WHB (810 AM)

The third-seeded Seminoles return to the scene of last year’s BCS national title victory over Auburn, and they’re riding a 29-game winning streak. Quarterback Jameis Winston didn’t duplicate his Heisman Trophy 2013 campaign, but Florida State found a way to win close games against good opponents. Oregon, led by Heisman winning quarterback Marcus Mariota, can score in bunches, and Florida State hasn’t exactly flashed a shutdown defense. The Ducks got bad news in early December with the season-ending knee injury to cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.

▪ PREDICTION: Oregon 35-31

SUGAR BOWL

▪ WHO: Alabama (12-1) vs. Ohio State (12-1)

▪ WHEN/WHERE: Jan. 1, 7:30 p.m., New Orleans

▪ TV/RADIO: ESPN, WHB (810 AM)

Glamour programs match up for a spot in the national title game, and the Buckeyes battled their way in by playing their best ball over the second half of the season with victories over Michigan State and Minnesota, and a 59-0 drubbing of Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones, in his first start against the Badgers, was terrific, but now he must confront a fire-breathing Crimson Tide defense. Alabama rushing leader T.J. Yeldon has been battling a hamstring injury and his availability will be a game-time decision. The Crimson Tide is gunning for its fourth national championship in six years.

▪ PREDICTION: Alabama, 27-16

This story was originally published December 31, 2014 at 4:13 PM with the headline "A quick look at the College Football Playoff semifinals."