College Football Playoff schedule: 2 semifinal games happen Friday

The College Football Playoff is finally here! After weeks of discussion and predictions, the semifinal games kick off Friday from Arlington, Texas, and Miami, Florida, as they figure to be intriguing matchups.

The Cotton Bowl Classic between Cincinnati and Alabama kicks off first at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. You can find the ultimate Cotton Bowl preview here. The Orange Bowl between Georgia and Michigan kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, and you can find the ultimate Orange Bowl preview here.

Along with the Playoff semifinal games, 2 other games happen. Wake Forest plays Rutgers in the Gator Bowl, and Washington State plays Central Michigan in the Sun Bowl.

College Football Playoff and bowl schedule for December 31, 2021

• Gator Bowl: 17 Wake Forest vs. Rutgers, 11 a.m. ET (ESPN)
• Sun Bowl: Washington State vs. Central Michigan, 12 p.m. ET
• Cotton Bowl: 4 Cincinnati vs. 1 Alabama, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Orange Bowl: 3 Georgia vs. 2 Michigan, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.