College Football: Ranking the 2023 New Year’s Six bowls by watchability

1. CFP semifinal: Rose Bowl (No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama)

The “Granddaddy of them All” as it’s known, is the top bowl game matchup in all of college football this fall. Two of the top programs in the game, two iconic teams (and uniforms), two massive brands, two elite head coaches, and more. With Nik Saban and Jim Harbaugh facing off in the most famous college football setting there is, this is must-watch television.

Both of these teams and, more importantly, their head coaches, were doubted this year. On Jim Harbaugh’s side, the narrative is that he and his Wolverines are only good because they “cheated,” though perhaps that narrative died when Michigan beat Penn State and Ohio State without Harbaugh or Stalions this year.

On the other sideline is Nick Saban, who everyone was calling washed a few weeks ago due to his team’s slow start to the year — especially after losing to Texas. While Alabama’s unimpressive Iron Bowl win had many sold that the Tide’s run had come to an end (not me, though), Saban marched into Atlanta and won himself yet another SEC title, eliminating Georgia along the way.

Does Alabama deserve to be there? Is Michigan legit? Can either of these two win the national title game? That will all be sorted out on January 1st in Pasadena, CA, for an iconic Rose Bowl game.