It's finally here. What college football fans have begged for what seems like centuries is a playoff to determine the national champion. The inaugural Playoff replaces the controversial BCS system, where two teams played for a national championship instead of four. This new system may be even more controversial, but it has been a step in the right direction. The Playoff consists of four longtime college football powerhouses in Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, and Ohio State. Let's look at the predictions for who will win the semifinal games and who will eventually be crowned the National Champion.

#1. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) vs. #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1) (Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana)

In a matchup of two of the best Head Coaches in college football in Alabama's Nick Saban and Ohio State's Urban Meyer, Alabama seems to be the heavy favorite. Alabama has the best wide receiver in the country and Heisman finalist in Amari Cooper and a fifth year Senior quarterback in Blake Sims who has performed extremely well. Ohio State has one of the best defenders in the country in Sophomore defensive end Joey Bosa. However, Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones is only making his second start of his career after star redshirt Freshman J.T. Barrett suffered a ankle injury in the regular season finale against Michigan. Cardale played great in the Big Ten Championship game, leading the Buckeyes to a 59-0 rout over then-ranked #13 Wisconsin. However, Alabama's defense is one of the best in the country at stopping the run, so they will force Jones to beat them with his arm. While Cardale Jones is a good quarterback, there is a reason he opened the season as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart, and Alabama will give them more than he can handle. Also, expect Amari Cooper to have a big game against Ohio State corner Doran Grant. Alabama wins this one convincingly.

Prediction: Alabama wins by at least 10 points.

#2. Oregon Ducks (12-1) vs. #3. Florida State Seminoles (13-0) (Rose Bowl presented by Northwestern Mutual in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California)

This is the marquee matchup. Florida State is the only team left in the country that is undefeated. This year's Heisman trophy winner in Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota faces off against last year's Heisman winner in Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. Both are projected to be top 5 picks in the 2015 NFL Draft, but the two are polar opposites. Mariota, who some call too polite, has almost never gotten into trouble in his life. Winston cannot seem to stay out of trouble with a sexual assault allegation against him and he infamously stole crab legs, stood on a cafeteria table and yelled an obscene Internet meme phrase, and got into trouble for a BB gun incident. Mariota is a speedy dual-threat quarterback while Winston is a pocket passer. One huge loss for Oregon was All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu tearing his ACL in practice. He was expected to cover Florida State star wide receiver Rashad Greene. That will be the difference in the game. Winston will take advantage of Oregon's defense with his plethora of weapons and the Seminole defense will slow down Marcus Mariota and Co. just enough to squeak by with a victory.

Prediction: Florida State wins by 7 or less in a shootout.

#1. Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #3. Florida State Seminoles (National Championship in AT&T Stadium in North Texas)

The National Championship will come down to Alabama and Florida State. Florida State may have the defense to slow down Alabama, but it has never played to its full potential yet. Saban will throw a ton of defensive looks at Winston that he will have trouble dissecting, and he will make some critical mistakes. This is not a game where Florida State can fall behind in the first half and come back in the second. Alabama can pour it on Florida State and take advantage of their mistakes. However, if Florida State's defense plays up to its potential and Jameis plays near mistake-free, Florida State will repeat as national champions. This writer does not see that happening.

Prediction: Alabama wins by 10 or more.

Comment your thoughts and predictions!