College Football Playoff preview: Michigan-Alabama, Texas-Washington - ESPN

The 2023 college football season gave us plenty of both on-field fireworks and off-field turmoil. On Monday, it gives us two fascinating College Football Playoff semifinals on ESPN: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential (5 p.m. ET) and No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl (8:45 p.m.).

From the weight of Michigan's expectations (and playoff disappointments), to Bama's second chance, to Texas' and Washington's extreme clutchitude, the storylines in these two games are abundant. Let's not waste any more words — it's time to preview the CFP semifinals.

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Alabama Crimson Tide: Leading rusher Jase McClellan missed the SEC championship with a foot injury. Backups Roydell Williams and Jam Miller have been equally productive this season, but it appears McClellan is probable. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry left the Georgia game with a concussion, but he cleared protocol and has been practicing.

Michigan Wolverines: Star right guard Zak Zinter was lost for the season with a leg injury during the Wolverines' win over Ohio State. He was the team's best run blocker, and it appeared he was missed against Iowa: None of Blake Corum's 16 rushes in the Big Ten championship gained more than six yards. Cornerback Will Johnson also missed the Iowa game, but he is expected back.

Texas Longhorns: Leading receiver Xavier Worthy aggravated an ankle injury in the Big 12 championship, but he has been practicing since. The Longhorns' only noteworthy absence is running back Jonathon Brooks: The 1,100-yard rusher tore an ACL in mid-November.

Washington Huskies: Washington should be about as healthy