Alabama moved one win from its sixth national title under coach Nick Saban with an overwhelming 31-14 defeat of Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl.
The Crimson Tide, the top seed in the College Football Playoff, will face the winner of the other semifinal between Clemson and Ohio State being played at the Sugar Bowl later Friday.
In a matchup between one of the nation's top offenses and best defenses, Alabama, ranked second in scoring at 49.7 a game, overwhelmed Notre Dame, which was allowing only 18.6 points.
The stars for the Crimson Tide were again front and center.