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Washington quarterback Jake Browning was the Pac-12's highest rated passer but faces Alabama's crushing defense Saturday afternoon. Reuters

The defending champion and No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0) will put their national title up for grabs when they face the upstart contender and No. 4 Washington Huskies (12-1) in the first College Football Playoff national semifinal at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon.

The winner advances to the national championship, where the team will play either No. 2 Clemson or No. 3 Ohio State in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 9. Clemson and Ohio State will kickoff at 7 p.m. EST Saturday.

The Tide, led by head coach Nick Saban and the nation’s top-ranked defense, carry a 25-game winning streak into the critical matchup and the sixth national crown in the esteemed coach’s career. Alabama is making its third consecutive appearance in the CFP, standing as the only team to make it every season since the tournament started in 2014.

Washington, which won the Pac-12 championship since 1999 and improved by five wins compared to last year’s mark in head coach Chris Petersen’s third season, are considered major underdogs compared to dominant Alabama.

Previously listed as 16-point favorites, oddsmakers have recently lowered Alabama to a two-touchdown favorite and the over/under – or total points scored between both teams – has been set at 53 points, according to online sportsbook Bovada.lv.

The Tide were favored for good reason. Their punishing defense allowed only 11.8 points per game and held opponents to just 63.4 rushing yards a contest, helping Alabama steamroll the always tough SEC for a third straight season. Alabama crushed ranked opponents throughout the season, including USC, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida and rival LSU.

Alabama’s continued success is even more impressive considering a freshman has been under center for most of the season. Quarterback Jalen Hurts totaled 2,592 passing yards and 22 touchdowns to nine interceptions in his first season in Tuscaloosa.

Hurts also contributed to Alabama’s stacked rushing attack, contributing 841 yards and 12 touchdowns to complement top rusher Damien Harris’ 986 yards and two scores.

But even with its intimidating winning streak, Washington has proven doubters wrong all season. The trio of quarterback Jake Browning, running back Myles Gaskin and receiver John Ross were part of the nation’s fifth-highest scoring offense averaging 44.5 points per game. The Huskies took out ranked Stanford, Utah, Washington State and Colorado to emerge from the Pac-12 almost unscathed.

Washington’s sole loss this season came at the hands of USC, which Alabama crushed 52-6 in its season-opening game.

Start Time: 3 p.m. EST

TV Channel: ESPN

Online Stream: Watch ESPN

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