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The final game of the 2022 college football season is here. The city of angels, Los Angeles, California. TCU. Georgia. All for the college football national championship.
When: Monday, January 9th @ 7:30 PM ET
Where: Los Angeles, California
Who: TCU vs. Georgia
Spread & Total: Georgia -12; O/U 62
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CFP Semifinal Tale of the Tape: TCU Horned Frogs
Things were breaking TCU’s way in the CFP semifinal against Michigan. Two interceptions returned for touchdowns (one by Bud Clark, one by Dee Winters). On top of two pick-sixes, an overturned Michigan touchdown resulted in a fumble recovery for TCU on the next play. Michigan had seven turnovers in 13 games prior to the CFP semifinal; TCU forced Michigan into three turnovers.
Max Duggan had two interceptions, but both came off the hands of his intended receiver. Duggan was efficient though, especially on 3rd-downs. TCU converted eight of 16 3rd-down tries compared to 3 of 13 for Michigan. Quentin Johnston was Duggan’s favorite target. Every college football fan has heard of Johnston this season, but he was special in this game. Six receptions for 162 yards and a score. That score was crucial; Michigan had just cut the lead to three and TCU faced a 3rd-and-7. Johnston took an underneath route to the house for 76-yards. Georgia struggled to contain Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. before he left the game with an injury. Johnston could find himself shining in the national title game if Georgia’s secondary doesn’t settle in.
Starting running back Kendre Miller failed to score a touchdown for the first time all season, but was very efficient (eight carries for 57 yards). Miller did leave the game due to a right knee injury and is questionable for the title game. Miller’s replacement, senior Emari Demercado, filled admirably with 17 carries for 150 yards and a score. Demercado broke a 69-yard run to set up a one-yard Duggan touchdown run.
Opt Outs: N/A
Injuries:
RB Kendre Miller
(Injured right knee in CFP semifinal against Michigan. Miller is ‘hopeful’ to play, per TCU head coach Sonny Dykes)
Transfer Portal Departures:
WR Caleb Medford
Players to Know:
#13 LB Dee Winters
All-Big 12 First Team selection. 65 tackles (11.5 for loss) ranks 4th on the team. 7.5 sacks leads the team. Recorded a pick-six and three tackles for loss in the CFP semifinal against Michigan
#24 DB Josh Newton & #1 Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson
TCU has a pair of cornerbacks who were All-Big 12 First Team selections. Each had double-digit pass deflections (12 for Newton; 11 for Hodges-Tomlinson). Both have three interceptions, while Newton returned one for a touchdown. Hodges-Tomlinson contributed three pass deflections against Michigan
CFP Semifinal Tale of the Tape: Georgia Bulldogs
For one of the few times this season, the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs looked vulnerable. They trailed by 14-points on two separate occasions, including entering the 4th quarter. But similar to TCU, Georgia had some key plays go their way. An Ohio State defensive back slipping led to a 76-yard Stetson Bennett to Arian Smith touchdown. And an Ohio State game winning field goal went wide left from the jump.
Georgia’s defense has given up 81 points the last two games. Georgia’s pass defense proved again that it’s the Achilles heal of the team. They struggled to contain Marvin Harrison Jr., and when he exited the game, Emeka Egbuka shined. C.J. Stroud had one of his best games as a Buckeye. The Buckeyes averaged just 3.7 YPC and scored a two-yard rushing touchdown by Miyan Williams.
Stetson Bennett lit up the 4th quarter against Ohio State, going 10 of 12 for 190 yards and two touchdowns. The first three quarters, Bennett was 13 of 22 for 208 yards, a touchdown and interception. Brock Bowers, the team’s leading receiver, didn’t get involved until the second half. It was Arian Smith who had the biggest impact against Ohio State. Smith entered the game with eight career receptions. Smith hauled in the 76-yard touchdown after the OSU defender fell that sparked Georgia’s comeback. His three receptions for 129 yards were more than any of his previous two seasons.
Opt Outs: N/A
Injuries:
TE Darnell Washington
(Second Team All-SEC; 5th on team in receptions (27) and 4th in receiving yards (426). Recorded two touchdowns this season. Left the game against Ohio State with an ankle injury)
OT Warren McClendon
(First Team All-SEC; suffered a knee injury during the SEC Championship game. Played sparingly in the Peach Bowl)
EDGE Nolan Smith
(Suffered a season-ending pectoral injury against Florida on October 29th)
OLB Chaz Chambliss
(Left the Peach Bowl with a knee injury. Status is uncertain for the National Championship)
S Dan Jackson
(Suffered a foot injury against Vanderbilt on October 15th. Has not played since; expected to be unavailable for the remainder of the season)
Transfer Portal Departures:
TE Arik Gilbert
DT Bill Norton
Player to Know:
#19 TE Brock Bowers
First Team All-SEC. Awarded the John Mackey Award for nation’s best tight end. Stetson Bennett’s favorite target. 52 receptions for 726 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, all lead the team
#29 DB Chris Smith
All-SEC First Team selection. 49 tackles, team leading 3 interceptions and 5 pass deflections
Bowl Game Trends:
- There has never been a repeat champion in the College Football Playoff era
- TCU has been underdogs three times this season (+5 vs. Oklahoma, +7.5 @ Texas, +8 against Michigan). Won those games by 31, seven, and six
- Double-digit favorites in the CFP are 4-2 ATS and 6-0 SU
Game Synopsis:
TCU’s season has been remarkable in so many areas this season. Underrated all season. Beating teams with their speed. A three-headed monster in Duggan, Miller, and Johnston. But let’s be honest: three key plays went their way in the semi-finals. Two interceptions for touchdowns, and a should-be Michigan touchdown overturned that led to a fumble on the goal line. Georgia was not crisp in their semifinal, but they are not surrendering careless points to their opposition. Stetson Bennett and the Georgia offense cannot start slow out of the gate. If they do, they’ll fall victim to the TCU Hypnotoad. TCU keeps it inside the number, but Georgia becomes the first repeat CFP National Champion in what should be an exciting close to the 2022 college football season.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Georgia
Bowl Mania Confidence: 30/43
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