Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9). Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

CFP semifinals: How to bet Washington-Texas and Michigan-Alabama

On New Year's Day, the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines will meet the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl, followed by the No. 2. Washington Huskies vs. the No. 3 Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl. The winners will play for the National Championship on Jan. 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

As you prepare to bet on Crimson Tide vs. Wolverines and Longhorns vs. Huskies, here are picks from Matt Wiesenfeld, Yardbarker's college football expert. Good luck!


No. 2 Washington Huskies vs. No. 3 Texas Longhorns

Washington earned its way to the Sugar Bowl with a perfect record in the last season of the Pac-12, while Texas won the Big 12 in the Longhorns' last go around the league. This looks like a game where whoever has the ball last, and doesn't blink, wins. YB's Matt Wiesenfeld brings the picks. 

Three reasons Washington can beat Texas

Three reasons Texas can beat Washington



No. 1 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide

This CFP semifinal between Michigan and Alabama definitely looks like a battle of heavyweights. The question is whether it is going to be won by whoever makes the biggest plays or whoever avoids mistakes. YB's Matt Wiesenfeld has answers and picks.

Three reasons Alabama can beat Michigan

Three reasons Michigan can beat Alabama

Still undecided? Here's more semifinals coverage from Yardbarker.

Rose Bowl 2024 odds: Can Michigan live up to still being the favorite?

Yes, No. 1-ranked Michigan is still the favorite to win the 2024 college football national championship. But that Rose Bowl showdown on New Year's Day looms large, and it's fair to wonder if Michigan can still live up to its status as the favorite to win the national title.

Rose Bowl 2024 odds: Is Crimson Tide QB Jalen Milroe a better bet than J.J. McCarthy?

The Alabama Crimson Tide looks to keep rolling as they punch their ticket to another College Football Championship. Nick Saban's team won a national championship back in 2020, but still has one more hurdle to get back to the title game as they face No. 1-ranked Michigan in the Rose Bowl. That game could come down to how each starting quarterback plays.

Sugar Bowl 2024 odds: Can the Longhorns win if they get an early jump on the Huskies?

After an impressive Big 12 victory against Oklahoma State, the Texas Longhorns now have a run at their first college football title since the CFP era began. One compound question facing Steve Sarkisian's team ahead of their semifinal matchup against the Huskies is: Can the Longhorns win the race to 10 points — and then not let it go?

Sugar Bowl 2024 odds: Do the Huskies have a better shot than the odds suggest?

It wasn't all that long ago that the Washington Huskies were the favorite to win the CFP Championship game in January. Fast forward to pre-Christmas week and Michael Penix Jr.'s team is the underdog in every sense — but should it really be that way?

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