4 key storylines to keep in mind for the College Football Playoff semifinals

The two College Football Playoff semifinal games are set for New Year’s Day (Friday) with the national championship game scheduled for Monday, January 11. In the semis, No. 1 Alabama will play No. 4 Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl (4 p.m. ET, ESPN) — which is being held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and not the Rose Bowl — followed by No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

We’ve made predictions, offered analysis of the matchups and highlighted three of the four Heisman Trophy finalists who will play in these games. But now we’re looking at the bigger picture of this year’s College Football Playoff.

So here’s a breakdown of four key storylines to keep in mind going into the semifinal games.