New Year’s Day was headlined by the NCAA Football semi-finals and the games had no shortage of incredible action.

The first matchup, the Rose Bowl, was contested between No.1 ranked University of Michigan and No. 4 ranked University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide of Alabama was looking to return to the finals and reclaim their dominance, while the Michigan Wolverines were looking to cap off their amazing run of form with a chance to fight for it all in the title game.

The first quarter saw both teams exchange touchdowns, with the Tide on the board first with a successful drive into the end zone ending with a 34-yard touchdown run by running back Jase McClellan. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw for 8 yards into the end zone to Blake Corum as the Wolverines responded with a touchdown drive of their own.  

McCarthy would strike again in the second quarter and Michigan would put another touchdown on the board, while limiting the Tide to a field goal. The Wolverines went into halftime ahead of Alabama, 13-10. Both teams were shut out in the third, setting up a shoot out in the final frame.  

Once again it would be McClellan who found the end zone for the Tide, with a three-yard run into the end zone for the score, to give Alabama the lead. They would extend their margin with a made field goal the following possession. McCarthy would find another touchdown completion and Michigan would tie the game at 20-20. Regulation would end and force the teams into overtime with the first touchdown to win the game. Blake Corum would strike again and run 17 yards for the score and the Michigan Wolverines would continue their journey into the finals.  

Michigan managed to overcome the media spectacle surrounding embattled head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is serving his suspension, and will hope to finally win a title after three straight playoff appearances.  

The second semi-final, the Sugar Bowl, was contested between No. 2 ranked University of Washington and No. 3 ranked University of Texas. The Longhorns from Texas were making their playoff debut after putting together a stellar year and were hoping to continue their Cinderella run.  

This matchup was a buffet of offensive prowess, with both teams driving down the field in stunning fashion. The two teams would trade touchdowns in the first quarter, and set the tone for the rest of the game. The teams would each score two touchdowns in the second quarter, with the Longhorns tying the game with 17 seconds to go in the half courtesy of a 3-yard run by C.J. Baxter in the dying moments of the quarter. The halftime score was 21-21.  

The third quarter would be the separating factor, with the Huskies shutting out the Longhorns for the entire period, while also scoring ten points in the frame. The Huskies would score a total of 13 unanswered points, as they opened the final quarter with a made field goal to go up 34-21. Texas would score a touchdown and make a field goal in the final stanza, but the deficit could not be overcome and with another made field goal in the quarter, the Huskies of Washington went on to win 31-37. 

Since 2015, there have been three other times when the final was contested between the No.1 and No.2 ranked teams in the country but all three times, that matchup was between the University of Alabama and Clemson University. This year will mark the first time since 2019 that the finals will be between the first and second ranked teams, with neither of them being Alabama nor Clemson.  

Neither Washington nor Michigan have ever stood on the mountain of college football and will both be looking to make history with a maiden title. The championship game is set for January 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Houston, Texas.