What Happened in the 2023 College Football Playoffs

The College Football Playoffs (CFP) semifinals were held on January 1st 2024. We’re going to analyze what happened in the 2023 College Football Playoffs (betting results, stats, etc.).

Alabama played Michigan in the CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl and Texas played Washington in the CFP semifinal at the Sugar Bowl. The two winners advanced to the 2024 CFP National Championship.

Both of the games were extremely competitive and one of them required overtime. The two top seeds (#1 and #2) ended up advancing and will compete in the 2024 CFP National Championship Game.

Alabama vs. Michigan Results and Stats

• Final Score: Alabama (20) vs. Michigan (27)

This College Football Playoffs semifinal went to overtime and didn’t feature a lot of offense. It was all tied up (20-20) after regulation. Blake Corum scored the winning touchdown in overtime for Michigan.

Corum’s OT touchdown was his 56th with the Wolverines, which puts him first all-time in Michigan history.

Neither team performed well offensively. Michigan had more total yards (351 vs. 288), but Bama was able to gain 172 yards on the ground, which is something the Wolverines will need to improve upon.

Each team lost one fumble in the game. Alabama actually had more time of possession (32:19 vs. 27:41) in this College Football Playoffs semifinal, but Bama only scored two TDs (both rushing).

Jalen Milroe (16/23 for 116 yards and 0 TDs) struggled to get much going through the air. There were 13 punts in this matchup and that was in large part because neither team could convert third downs. Bama went 3/13 on third downs and Michigan went 2/11 on third downs in the College Football Playoffs SF.

Michigan closed as a -2.5 point favorite and covered ATS. The game total closed at 45.5 points and just ended up going over with Corum’s OT touchdown. The attendance at the game was 96,371.

Texas vs. Washington Results and Stats

• Final Score: Texas (31) vs. Washington (37)

This College Football Playoffs semifinal game was also close and went down to the wire. The game was tied up (21-21) at halftime, but the Huskies held a 31-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Texas scored a late field goal (1:09 left) to make the score 37-31 in favor of Washington. All the Huskies needed was a first down to seal the win, but they went three and out. The Longhorns received the ball back (0:45 left). Quinn Ewers for Texas into the red zone, with just 0:15 left on the clock.

Texas had four chances to punch it in, but Ewers ended the game throwing three incomplete passes.

This was easily the more exciting College Football Playoffs SF. Washington won the total yards battle (532 vs. 498). Both teams had 300+ passing yards and 100+ rushing yards on offense.

Washington won the turnover battle as well (2 vs. 1). The Huskies dominated the time of possession (36:20 vs. 23:40). Penalties were a problem for Texas, as they finished with ten for 66 yards.

Texas closed as the favorites (-3.5) despite being the lower seed. The Huskies haven’t been getting any respect in the College Football Playoffs. The game total closed at 61.6 points and went over.

The attendance for the game was 68,791, which was considerably lower than the first CFP semifinal.

Top Performers in the College Football Playoffs Semifinals

We’ve analyzed the team stats from the College Football Playoffs semifinals. We’re now going to look at the individual top performers on offense, defense and special teams for all four teams.

Top Performers on Offense in the College Football Playoffs SFs:

• Michael Penix Jr. (Washington): 29/38 for 430 yards and 2 TDs + 3 carries for 31 yards
• J.J. McCarthy (Michigan): 17/27 for 221 yards and 3 TDs + 3 carries for 25 yards
• Blake Corum (Michigan): 19 carries for 83 yards and 1 TD + 2 receptions for 35 yards and 1 TD
• Jase McClellan (Alabama): 14 carries for 87 yards and 2 TDs + 2 receptions for 11 yards
• Dillon Johnson (Washington): 21 carries for 49 yards and 2 TDs + 3 receptions for 18 yards
• CJ Baxter (Texas): 9 carries for 64 yards and 1 TD + 2 receptions for 39 yards
• Jaydon Blue (Texas): 9 carries for 59 yards and 1 TD + 4 receptions for 45 yards
• Ja’Lynn Polk (Washington): 5 receptions for 122 yards and 1 TD
• Rome Odunze (Washington): 6 receptions for 125 yards

Top Performers on Defense in the College Football Playoffs SFs:

• Bralen Trice (Wasington): 5 tackles (4 solo) and 2 sacks (3 TFL)
• Asa Turner (Washington): 5 tackles (2 solo) and 1 fumble recovery
• Ralen Goforth (Washington): 2 tackles (2 solo) and 1 fumble recovery
• Edefuan Ulofoshio (Washington): 7 tackles (5 solo) and 2 TFL
• Josh Wallace (Michigan): 2 tackles (2 solo) and 1 fumble recovery
• Braiden McGregor (Michigan): 2 tackles (2 solo) and 2 sacks
• Michael Barrett (Michigan): 9 tackles (7 solo) and 1 sack

Top Performers on Special Team in the College Football Playoffs SFs:

• Grady Gross (Washington): 3/3 on field goals and 4/4 on XPs (13 Points)
• Jaydon Blue (Texas): 3 kick returns for 80 yards (26.7 average)
• Morice Blackwell Jr. (Texas): 1 fumble recovery
• Quandarrius Robinson (Alabama): 1 fumble recovery
• Will Reichard (Alabama): 2/2 on field goals and 2/2 on XPs (8 Points)
• James Burnip (Alabama): 7 punts for 352 yards (50.3 average) and 5 punts inside the 20
• Ryan Sanborn (Texas): 5 punts for 237 yards (47.4 average) and 2 punts inside the 20

Expert College Football Playoffs Predictions

Are you a Sports Hub member? You should be. Our experts have crushed college football season.

I (SWJ Sports) predicted the Wolverines and Huskies would cover ATS in the semifinals. We’ll release lots of 2024 CFP National Championship Game predictions, including props (team, game and player).

Washington (+4.5) will take on Michigan (-4.5) in the College Football Playoffs final next Monday. The game total is currently sitting at 55.5 points and there are already lots of props markets available.

Sign-up to Sports Hub today to access the rest of our College Football Playoffs predictions.