CFP rankings set Texas, Alabama up for national title rematch

Ever since losing to Texas at home earlier this season, 34-24, Alabama has declared that if the teams played again, Round 2 would be different. With the College Football Playoff semifinals revealed, the Tide are well-positioned to get the rematch they crave.

No. 4 Alabama (12-1, 9-0 in SEC) will play No. 1 Michigan (13-0, 10-0 in Big Ten) while No. 3 Texas (12-1, 8-1 in Big 12) plays No. 2 Washington (13-0, 10-0 in Pac-12). Despite the Tide and the Longhorns being the lower seeds, both should like their chances of pulling out wins.

Per oddschecker, Bama is only a 1.5-point underdog, while Texas is a four-point favorite.

Michigan is 0-2 in the semifinals while Bama is 6-1, its only loss in 2014 to eventual national champion Ohio State. In explaining the committee's rationale for including Bama in the final four, committee chair Boo Corrigan said the decision was partly influenced by which teams others would like to face the least.  

While that isn't the smartest barometer for selecting the playoff teams, it's obvious the Tide got better over the course of the season.

Dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe has become a matchup nightmare and will arguably be the best quarterback the Wolverines have faced this season.

Texas is perhaps the hottest team in the CFP, winning its last two games by a combined score of 106-28. Washington's resilience must be applauded, but the Longhorns present a unique challenge for the Huskies.

Quarterback Quinn Ewers is coming off his best game and has elite playmakers at wide receiver, including Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, to challenge the Huskies vertically. 

On intermediate and deep routes this season, Ewers was 80-of-132 for 14 touchdowns with three interceptions. Oregon mostly dinked and dunked their way to its 34-31 loss to Washington, but the Huskies won't be so lucky against an offense less afraid to attack downfield.

The Longhorns will also benefit from what is likely to be a favorable crowd at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. 

The runway is clearing for a rematch between Texas and Bama in the national championship game. Only the Huskies and Wolverines stand in their way.