CFP semifinals: LSU faces Oklahoma, Ohio State gets Clemson

Almost four months after the season kicked off in August, the College Football Playoff is officially set, with the national semifinals taking place on Dec. 28.

Peach Bowl - No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Oklahoma

LSU needed a statement win to leapfrog Ohio State and grab the No. 1 seed, and Joe Burrow made sure that happened Saturday versus Georgia. The senior pivot virtually cemented the Heisman Trophy while throwing for 349 yards and four touchdowns against the vaunted Bulldogs' defense during a 37-10 beatdown.

The Tigers rode the strength of their incredible offense to an undefeated season, with Burrow throwing 48 touchdown passes to already set the new SEC record. While the team's passing attack steals headlines, LSU's rushing game can also give opponents fits with Clyde Edwards-Helaire leading the way.

Thanks to Utah's loss in the Pac-12 title game to Oregon, Oklahoma entered play on Saturday needing a win over Baylor in the Big 12 championship to clinch its playoff spot. The Sooners secured that victory through late-game dramatics, with Rhamondre Stevenson scoring a five-yard rushing touchdown in overtime to knock off the Bears.

Jalen Hurts has been outstanding for the Sooners since transferring from Alabama, tossing 32 touchdown passes and adding 18 scores on the ground. LSU fans will certainly be familiar with Hurts, as the former Crimson Tide pivot went 2-0 as a starter versus the Tigers during his time in the SEC.

Fiesta Bowl - No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson

With both teams a sparkling 13-0 on the campaign, there's an argument to be made that Ohio State versus Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl is one of the best semifinal matchups in CFP history.

An opponent finally pushed the Buckeyes on Saturday night, with Ohio State falling behind Wisconsin 21-7 at halftime of the Big Ten title game. Whatever head coach Ryan Day said in the locker room appeared to work, as Ohio State proceeded to blow the doors off the Badgers, scoring 27 unanswered points to win the contest 34-21.

That comeback win was certainly impressive, but the Buckeyes struggling in the opening half was enough for the CFP committee to drop them from No. 1 to No. 2.

It wouldn't truly be a College Football Playoff without Clemson involved. For the fifth time in the six-year history of the format, the Tigers are one of the final four teams, this time with a chance to defend their title.

Dabo Swinney's offense is once again enjoying an embarrassment of riches, with star quarterback Trevor Lawrence and standout running back Travis Etienne leading the unit. Clemson's defense is still as stout as ever too, ranking No. 1 in the country while allowing just 10.6 points per game.

Since Clemson escaped with a 21-20 win over North Carolina in September, the ACC champs have outscored opponents by a whopping 415-78 margin, and the school enters the semifinal on a 28-game winning streak.