The College Football Playoff semifinals are back on New Year’s Day with a distinctly Southern flavor.
No. 3 Georgia (12-1) faces No. 2 Oklahoma at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in the first semi. Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, who was dogged by flu-like symptoms during the week leading up to the game, is expected to play for the Sooners (12-1).
At the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, it is a rematch of the last two national title games with No. 1 Clemson (12-1) facing No. 4 Alabama (11-1). The Crimson Tide beat the Tigers for 2015 championship before Clemson got revenge last season.
The Sugar and Rose winners meet in Atlanta on Jan. 8. The semifinal had been played on New Year’s Eve the past two seasons.
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