"Michigan Emerges as Favorite in Heroic Clash with Washington for National Title"
The College Football Playoff semifinals on New Year's Day 2024 delivered thrilling finishes reminiscent of the sport's glory days, with both games decided on the last play. Michigan was stopped by Alabama in overtime, and Washington defeated Texas with a last-second defensive play. The day was filled with nostalgia, featuring the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, and marked the end of the four-team playoff system before the expansion to a 12-team format. The article also touches on the commercialization and changing dynamics of college football, highlighting a player's candid announcement of leaving college for the NFL, signaling the sport's evolving capitalistic nature.