We've once again reached the end to another incredible College Football Season! This year brought some major upsets, unlikely stars and some new faces to the Top 10 rankings and New Year's Six Bowl Games. We're set to finish this great season with a National Championship game that is sure to be a wild one. The Horned Frogs of TCU and the defending champion Bulldogs of Georgia are set to due battle in LA tonight. Who will be crowned the Kings of College Football this season? Read my thoughts below to find out. Let's Go!
Overall Bowl Record: 26 - 15
College Football Playoff National Championship
#3 TCU vs #1 Georgia
This one is for all the marbles. Georgia is set to defend their title as the Frogs look to pull of one of the biggest upsets in modern championship history. Coming into the season, TCU was unranked and given a 1-200 odds to make the College Football Playoffs. After having watched this team live at the Fiesta Bowl, I can promise you they are more than worthy of the Championship game slot they have earned. Georgia battled back against the Buckeyes and thanks to a wayward kick, they're back with a chance to defend their title from last season. This game leans heavily in the DAWGS favor looking at the surface, and the experts have a 13-point spread. Despite their dislike of the given title, TCU is an underdog in this fight. Georgia's offense has really boosted the last couple of games, scoring 50 against LSU in the SEC Championship and 42 on the Buckeyes in the CFB Semifinal. They also topped 525 yards of offense in both those games. Georgia has many weapons around Bennett to throw to. Tight End Brock Bowers is the primary target with 790 receiving yards and 6 TDs. A new weapon in the mix is Sophomore Wideout Arian Smith. He's been quiet all season until his 76 yard TD reception against the Buckeyes were he sprinted right by their entire secondary. His speed is certainly something to keep any eye on for the Horned Frogs.
One of the primary arguments I've heard leading to this game is TCU won't be able to slow down the Bulldogs' offense. Georgia is expected to command the line of scrimmage and move the TCU defense almost at will. A lot of the same arguments were made about the Michigan game but one thing I noticed early was how little control the Wolverines had with the line of scrimmage. The Horned Frogs hit them fast and hit them hard to start off every play, forcing the Michigan O-line into the backfield more often than not. The Horned Frogs finished the game with 13 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. I would argue that both JJ McCarthy and Stetson Bennett are about equal in their rushing abilities and containing them is no easy task. Look for the Horned Frogs to get an early push up front on defense. They have a lot of unique blitz schemes and bring pressure from different directions. Bennett is one of the best at staying clean in the pocket though, being sacked just 9 times all season. While they may not be able to bring him fully down to the ground often in this game, TCU could walk away with a number of "hidden sacks" in this game. These are incomplete passes or passes thrown to the sideline to avoid sacks and check-down throws that go for little or no gain. These plays slow down and stop drives quickly.
Defensively for Georgia, they rank at or near the top in all major categories. Giving up just under 80 yards per game on the ground will be a big battle to watch as the Frogs try to get their rushing attack moving with Kendre Miller and Emari Demercado. Miller has been the focal point all season, rushing for 1,399 yards and 17 TDs, but after going down with an injury early against Michigan, and a 150-yard performance in his place, Demercado provides a really nice change of pace if the Frogs are able to utilize both backs in this one. Most people see the high-octane offense of the Frogs and assume it's all air raid, but they have one of the most balanced attacks in College Football, so expect that Georgia run defense to be tested early and often. TCU uses a lot of motion and option attack with their offense, and Max Duggan is a much bigger threat on the ground than CJ Stroud at Ohio State. Georgia was gashed for a lot of big plays against Ohio State, especially in the middle of the field. TCU loves to run crossing routes to get their tight ends and big-bodied receivers into the open areas across the middle. Look for a good battle in the secondary when balls are in the air. Georgia will bring a lot of pressure in order to keep Duggan uncomfortable and in the pocket, so he'll need to make smart decisions with the ball. Last but not least, watch the tempo of this offense. TCU does a fantastic job of running the game at their pace and it's usually a fast one. Georgia struggled against the Buckeyes' tempo last week and TCU was able to build on their hot start even when Michigan started to chip into their lead.
I'm looking for a great game tonight after (arguably) two of the best CFB Semifinals to date. Watching TCU-Michigan live was one of the best football games I've ever witnessed in person. Once again I think WR Quinten Johnston is the X-Factor for the Frogs. He's nearly impossible to cover with his size and will body-up the corners and safeties up no matter where he's at on the field. Georgia's X-Factor is the run defense. If they can force TCU into a primary pass-focused attack they can build unique blitz packages to rattle Duggan. This means Bennett and the offense need to score early and often. Georgia cannot let TCU hang around in this game if they want to win. That TCU defense is no slouch though. They had 2 pick-sixes on the Wolverines and dominated the line of scrimmage as I mentioned. If TCU can get early punches like they did against Michigan and make Georgia fight back for the second game in a row, we should have a fun one out in LA tonight. One thing I can say for sure though, those Bulldogs better watch out for the mysteries powers that lie within those Horned Frogs. All Glory be to the HypnoToad as the Horned Frogs of TCU win the National Championship 37-35 over Georgia. FROGS!
Thanks for reading my National Championship Predictions and all my posts throughout the season! I appreciate the continued support and can't wait to write more college football updates for you all soon. Enjoy the game!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
