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Georgia Survives Ohio State and Denies the Day of the CFP Underdog

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Georgia Survives Ohio State and Denies the Day of the CFP Underdog

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) celebrates his touchdown run with Georgia offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against Ohio State, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

In the nine-year history of the College Football Playoff, lopsided results have been a constant. For every exciting semifinal, the corresponding game brought a blowout score.

Never before had both games included a margin of fewer than 17 points. Not only did 2022 feature two close games, this year’s semifinals were also on track for the first pair of upsets in the CFP.

First, the No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs continued a fairy-tale season in an upset of the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines. And then, the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes took a 38-24 lead into the fourth quarter on the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. There were apparently two slippers to fit Saturday night.

But the reigning champs spoiled the party.

As the ball dropped and confetti fell to the streets in New York City, the Georgia Bulldogs kicked off an improbable—yet initially expected—celebration on the turf in Atlanta.

Georgia rattled off an 18-3 advantage in the closing frame, stealing a 42-41 victory from the upset-minded Buckeyes. In a bit of déjà vu, Stetson Bennett hit AD Mitchell for the go-ahead touchdown—just as they did in UGA’s national championship win last season.

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Stetson Bennett ➡️ Adonai Mitchell

Georgia takes the lead with 54 seconds left ????pic.twitter.com/eWd4uWtdJR

Georgia led for a grand total of one minute and 49 seconds in the Peach Bowl. Until that final quarter, Ohio State outplayed the SEC champions—and it wasn’t particularly close.

OSU quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 23 of 34 passes for 348 yards against the nation’s best defense, throwing four touchdowns with no turnovers. The two-time Heisman Trophy finalist also scampered for 34 yards, including a key 27-yard scramble that put the Buckeyes in position to steal a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Interestingly enough, they showcased the first offense all season to score even 10 points—ten!—and commit zero turnovers against UGA’s stout defense. Ohio State provided a legitimate fight to an opponent that rarely dealt with one in 2022.

But in gut-wrenching fashion for the Buckeyes, veteran kicker Noah Ruggles pulled his 50-yard attempt wide left effectively as time expired.

no context college football @nocontextcfb

pic.twitter.com/VjkHcPBsf0

There would be no redemption arc.

Ohio State wasted a chance to dethrone rival Michigan in the Big Ten last month. About a week ago, the OSU coaching staff had a rough early signing period and whiffed on a couple of key targets. On the sport’s second-largest stage Saturday night, the Bucks fell agonizingly short of stunning top-ranked UGA.

Rather than nearly eliminating the festering anger in Columbus, OSU coach Ryan Day is headed for a noisy offseason. Simultaneously, Georgia boss Kirby Smart put himself on track to become an undeniable program legend.

Between an exceptionally talented roster and a highly favorable schedule, UGA entered 2022 with high expectations. It’s merely one sample size, but five of B/R’s six college football writers projected the Dawgs would make the CFP. This was largely the anticipated outcome.

Nevertheless, this is uncharted territory for UGA.

The program is officially recognized with national titles in 1980 and 2021, while Georgia also claimed a crown in 1942. As you can imagine, Kirby Smart—born in 1975—did not coach either previous team. He’s on the brink of becoming the Bulldogs’ first-ever two-time champion coach.

Bennett, meanwhile, has a chance to etch his name into college football lore as the most iconic walk-on in history.

The sixth-year senior put together a stellar two-game run in the 2021 CFP, and he’s off to a tremendous start in 2022. Bennett threw for 398 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in the victory, also tossing a 76-yard score to Arian Smith earlier in the fourth quarter.

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Stetson Bennett DIME to Arian Smith ???? pic.twitter.com/FAYotTWpqp

The late-game heroics vanquished the storyline that could’ve been.

Five years ago, third-ranked Georgia and fourth-ranked Alabama won their semifinal games. However, both teams were actually favored in those matchups with Oklahoma and Clemson, respectively.

TCU and Ohio State would’ve created a unique championship showdown—and perhaps the only double-underdog clash in the four-team CFP era, given the impending 12-team format.

Yet the Dawgs refused to cooperate, punching their ticket to Los Angeles for a date with the Horned Frogs.

Georgia, without question, will be favored. TCU will have a chance to obliterate the expectation of UGA winning a second straight title. There is a world in which the underdog still hoists the championship trophy.

Ohio State had a chance to ensure that reality.

For that to not happen, it took Georgia’s 14-point comeback—multiple, really. It required the Dawgs’ last-minute touchdown and OSU’s last-second field goal to hook left. Georgia mixed a tremendous level of skill with a necessary bit of luck to survive.

But the favorite is alive. The underdogs don’t get all the glory in 2022.

Read More David Kenyon

Winners and Losers of the College Football Playoff Semifinals

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Winners and Losers of the College Football Playoff Semifinals
Brad Shepard@@Brad_ShepardTwitter LogoFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 1, 2023

Winners and Losers of the College Football Playoff Semifinals

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    GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 31: Dee Winters #13 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates after a fourth down stop during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

    Norm Hall/Getty Images

    TCU didn’t belong, they said. Ohio State didn’t belong, they said.

    “They” were wrong.

    But only one of them made it through to the College Football Playoff national title game, and that was TCU, which hit Michigan in the mouth and won 51-45.

    Ohio State led most of the way against defending national champion Georgia, but the Bulldogs survived 42-41. Buckeyes kicker Noah Ruggles hooked a potential game-winning 50-yard field goal in the closing seconds.

    Two underdogs shook the sport at its foundations Saturday. When the smoke cleared, Georgia still had the chance to defend its title against the season’s Cinderella, TCU.

    Let’s take a look at some winners and losers from Saturday’s semifinals action.

Loser: Michigan Miscues

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    Jim Harbaugh

    Jim HarbaughRobin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    One of the hallmarks of Michigan football this year was taking care of the ball. When you’re a physical team that relies on running and defense, not giving away possessions is a big part of being undefeated and getting to the final four.

    In Saturday’s loss to TCU, the Wolverines were uncharacteristically sloppy, digging themselves a hole and giving away plenty of points.

    Every massive, early play, it seemed, saw a monumental mistake follow.

    Donovan Edwards started the game by ripping off a 54-yard run that set up the Wolverines with an eventual goal-to-go situation. But a failed “Philly special” on 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line led to a turnover on downs.

    Dov Kleiman @NFL_DovKleiman

    Michigan called the Philly Special against TCU… but they weren’t playing against a Matt Patricia defense so it didn’t work out. pic.twitter.com/fG8e10UZm0

    When the Wolverines got the ball back, J.J. McCarthy threw a 41-yard pick-six to Bud Clark to make it 7-0.

    Then, trailing 14-3 with a chance to close the gap following a Max Duggan interception, McCarthy threw a 50-yard bomb to Roman Wilson, who appeared to bobble the ball at the half-yard line before securing it in the end zone. Replay overturned the score, though, ruling Wilson was down with possession before crossing the goal line.

    A botched exchange between McCarthy and Kalel Mullings on 1st-and-goal on the next play led to a fumble into the end zone, which was recovered by TCU.

    With the Wolverines trying to come back late in the third quarter, a pick-six from McCarthy to Dee Winters ended any hopes for a Michigan rally. Uncharacteristically, despite a huge day (395 total yards, three touchdowns), McCarthy made mistakes, and they were biggies.

    It was a tornado of turnovers for the Wolverines, and it left a trail of scoreboard carnage in its wake. From blown scoring opportunities to handing the Horned Frogs points of their own, it went a long way in Michigan digging an early hole.

Winner: Stetson’s Silencer

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    Stetson Bennett

    Stetson BennettAP Photo/Brynn Anderson

    For much of the night Saturday, Stetson Bennett looked like the undersized, former walk-on quarterback that he is. But, with the game on the line, the Georgia gamer who will be remembered as much for his heroics as his heart, found a way once again.

    Don’t think he deserved to be a Heisman Trophy finalist? Fair enough. Don’t think he belongs in the spotlight? Well, that’s another story. All the man does is take the game’s biggest moments, shrink them down and prove he’s bigger than them. And all the doubters.

    Once again, he led Georgia all the way back after what had been a pedestrian personal effort for three-and-a-half quarters.

    Down 38-27 with 8:41 left, Bennett found Arian Smith for a 76-yard quick strike when the defender fell down to shave the lead. Following a Buckeyes field goal, UGA again got the ball.

    Bennett meticulously led the Dawgs down the field on a five-play, 72-yard drive in 1:49 on which he completed five of five passes for 67 yards and the scoring strike to Adonai Mitchell to pull ahead by the final margin following the extra point.

    “It’s in our hands now,” Bennett told ESPN of what he was thinking before the final drive. “And then when we scored, I was scared to death because they played a helluva game on offense. I was like, ‘We scored too quick.’ Then our guys stepped up. What a game. What a game.”

    Bennett wound up 23-of-34 for 398 yards, three touchdowns, an interception and a rushing touchdown in the huge win. Now, he gets a chance to be a back-to-back national champion.

Winner: TCU’s Epic Counterpunch

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    TCU's Quentin Johnston

    TCU’s Quentin JohnstonChristian Petersen/Getty Images

    Throughout an unforgettable season, TCU has produced resounding responses with its back against the wall.

    Saturday’s wild semifinal retort was different from the Horned Frogs’ regular-season comeback propensity, but it was just as impressive. Coach Sonny Dykes’ team rode its ability to counterpunch big, bad Michigan at every turn all the way to the title game in a 51-45 win.

    “It shows what these guys are all about,” Dykes told ESPN after the game. “They never give up.”

    For the better part of three quarters, it looked like the Horned Frogs were going to handle the Wolverines. But Michigan scored its first touchdown with 6:32 left in the third quarter to cut the lead to five points.

    The Horned Frogs responded to all that sudden-change, Wolverine swagger with a smack in the mouth in the form of a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, sparked by a 46-yard strike from Duggan to Quentin Johnston to bring it to the Michigan 29-yard line.

    When the offensive floodgates followed soon after, leading to a 44-point third quarter from both teams, the Frogs didn’t flinch.

    After backup running back Emari Demercado’s brilliant performance was marred by a fumble on the final play of the third quarter and the Wolverines scored an immediate touchdown and two-point conversion to trim the lead to 41-38, TCU didn’t tank.

    Instead, Heisman Trophy finalist Max Duggan—who was far from his sparkling self—bought time by weaving away from the rush, taking a big hit and delivering a shallow cross to Johnston, who took it 76 yards to the house. They added a field goal to extend the lead to 51-38.

    Quarterback J.J. McCarthy calmly led Michigan to another touchdown with 3:18 left in the game, and after the Frogs couldn’t run out the clock, the defense stopped the Wolverines to end the shenanigans.

Winner: C.J. Stroud Seizing the Stage in a Losing Effort

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    C.J. Stroud

    C.J. StroudCarmen Mandato/Getty Images

    Throughout his scintillating two years leading Ohio State’s offense, redshirt sophomore quarterback C.J. Stroud has been one of the best players in the nation.

    But he still couldn’t quite emerge from the considerable shadow of some of the quarterbacks around him.

    Last year, Stroud posted amazing numbers, but Alabama’s Bryce Young beat him for the Heisman Trophy with even better stats and a spot in the national title game. This year, Stroud was again invited to the ceremony, but USC’s Caleb Williams beat him.

    Saturday’s showdown with Georgia reminded everybody what he can be as he prepares for the NFL draft. Stroud finished 23-of-34 for 348 yards and four touchdowns and was outstanding on the ground, running the ball for 34 more, falling just short in a duel with another QB, fellow Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett.

    If there was one flaw, it was that without star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Cade Stover, who were both injured during the game, Stroud couldn’t move the ball closer than a 50-yard field-goal try in the closing seconds after he galloped up the middle into field-goal range.

    He’ll head off to the draft and make millions without a title and without any personal hardware, but that doesn’t take anything away from how great he was in the most important moment of his career.

    Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, the defense couldn’t close the deal and send out Stroud with a chance to contend for the national title.

Winner: Max Duggan’s Supporting Cast

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    TCU's Dee Winters breaks up a pass to Michigan's Colston Loveland

    TCU’s Dee Winters breaks up a pass to Michigan’s Colston LovelandChristian Petersen/Getty Images

    TCU quarterback Max Duggan usually gets the headlines. But in Saturday’s unforgettable win, the Heisman Trophy finalist was a footnote.

    That’s not a knock on the senior signal-caller, who certainly wasn’t bad, amassing 282 combined yards and four total touchdowns in a gritty effort.

    It’s more of an acknowledgement that the team coach Sonny Dykes has assembled in Fort Worth in his first year is much more of a squad full of stars than it’s given credit for.

    Questions about whether the Horned Frogs belonged were answered in a big way throughout the win. When Duggan struggled, as he did at times in completing less than 50 percent of his passes for 225 yards and two interceptions, others picked him up.

    Starting running back Kendre Miller injured his knee and couldn’t return, so backup Emari Demercado played the role of battering ram with 150 vital rushing yards to help TCU keep Michigan at arm’s length. Yes, he had a costly fumble that the Wolverines turned into a touchdown, but he rebounded and was big down the stretch.

    Receiver Quentin Johnston finished with six catches for 163 yards and a huge touchdown.

    While Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson won the Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, he wasn’t the defensive catalyst. Bud Clark had an early pick-six that set the tone and gave the Horned Frogs their first score.

    But the biggest star on either side of the ball was senior first-team All-Big 12 linebacker Dee Winters, who was a one-man wrecking crew, breaking up two passes, gathering three tackles for loss, pressuring J.J. McCarthy multiple times and getting his own pick-six late in the third quarter to take Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP honors.

    Duggan is a warrior and does a lot of great things, but Dykes’ team is playing for a national championship because it has playmakers all over the field on both sides of the ball.

Loser: B1G Bummer

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    Ohio State's Noah Ruggles

    Ohio State’s Noah RugglesKevin C. Cox/Getty Images

    The heartbreak came in different shades for different reasons, but the ultimate culprit was the same.

    Both Big Ten representatives in the College Football Playoff are going home after semifinal losses.

    For Michigan, the bonkers game-of-a-million-momentum-swings loss to TCU marked the second season in a row it fell in the playoffs.

    Last year, the Wolverines came from nowhere to beat Ohio State, make the CFP and then bow out without a whimper in a 34-11 loss against eventual champion Georgia. This season, though, Michigan was more than a touchdown favorite over TCU and fell flat.

    The Wolverines made too many miscues, and their vaunted defense had few answers for the Horned Frogs.

    Ohio State, on the other hand, sort of backed in after USC lost the Pac-12 title game. Once the Buckeyes got in, though, they were viewed as a dangerous test for Georgia and certainly lived up to that billing.

    But coach Ryan Day’s team faltered defensively yet again, wilting in much the same way it did against Michigan. After building a two-touchdown lead against UGA, the Buckeyes had a chance to topple the Dawgs and be the giant-killer.

    Instead, the Bulldogs stormed back to take the lead and then won the game when Noah Ruggles’ prayer of a 50-yard field-goal attempt hooked harmlessly to the left. Now, the conference’s first national title since 2014 will have to wait at least another year.

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College Football Playoffs 2023: Georgia vs. TCU Championship Game Odds, Info

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College Football Playoffs 2023: Georgia vs. TCU Championship Game Odds, Info

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 31: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

The TCU Horned Frogs and the Georgia Bulldogs will meet in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, following their victories in the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl, respectively.

TCU defeated the Michigan Wolverines 51-45 in the Fiesta Bowl behind an impressive performance from quarterback Max Duggan, while Georgia defeated Ohio State in the Peach Bowl 42-41 thanks to Stetson Bennett.

This will be the first time since December 2016 that TCU and Georgia meet and just the fifth matchup overall. The Bulldogs have won each of their first four games against the Horned Frogs, but a lot has changed since then.

Both programs will put everything on the line to claim the national title, but with the big game a week away, here’s a look at the odds, information and a preview of the matchup.

2023 National Title Game Information

Who: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 TCU

When: Monday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: SoFi Stadium

How to Watch: ESPN

Odds

br_betting @br_betting

YOUR 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS ???? @DKSportsbook

Georgia -13.5
TCU ML +400
O/U 62.5

What you got? ???? pic.twitter.com/BnndjzxEcu

TCU Preview

The Horned Frogs entered the 2022 season unranked in the AP Top 25 poll, and they’re now in the CFP championship game thanks to tremendous coaching from Sonny Dykes, who is in his first year as head coach at TCU.

Entering Saturday, Dykes had led TCU to a 12-1 record this year, and the Horned Frogs captured their 13th win of the season in an upset of Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl to become the first Big 12 team to reach the title game in the CFP era.

TCU is led by none other than Duggan, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist this year. Entering the Fiesta Bowl, he had completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,321 yards and 30 touchdowns against four interceptions in 13 games, in addition to rushing for 404 yards and six scores.

Against Michigan, Duggan completed 14 of 29 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions, in addition to rushing for 57 yards and two scores. He was dominant.

The TCU offense has also relied heavily on wide receiver Quentin Johnston and running back Kendre Miller this season.

Johnston entered the Fiesta Bowl having caught 53 passes for 903 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games, while Miller had rushed for 1,342 yards and 17 touchdowns in 13 games.

Against Michigan, Johnston caught six passes for 163 yards and one touchdown, while Miller posted eight carries for 57 yards before exiting with a knee injury.

Miller’s status for the national title game is uncertain, but if he’s sidelined, the TCU offense will undoubtedly be hurting. Emari Demercado would be in line to be the team’s starting running back if Miller can’t go.

Demercado entered the Fiesta Bowl having rushed for 472 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. He rushed for 150 yards and one score in the team’s win over Michigan.

With TCU’s win over Michigan, they proved they belong in the College Football Playoff. Can the Horned Frogs continue their storybook season with a win over Georgia in the title game?

Georgia Preview

It’s really no surprise that the Bulldogs are back in the College Football Playoff national title game for the second consecutive season.

Georgia had been the No. 1-ranked team in the nation for much of the 2022 season, and there was little doubt it would make the CFP. However, the Bulldogs faced their most challenging matchup of the season against Ohio State in the Peach Bowl.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett has been the heart and soul of the Georgia offense, but he didn’t have the best performance against Ohio State, completing 23 of 34 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns against one interception.

Bennett’s lone interception was costly as Ohio State capitalized on the ensuing drive, taking a 21-7 lead. However, he kept the offense in it all night long and bounced back late in the game, leading Georgia on a game-winning touchdown drive with less than one minute remaining in the game to put the Bulldogs up 42-41.

While the team’s most challenging matchup came against Ohio State in the Peach Bowl, Georgia has been impressive all season.

Entering the Peach Bowl, Bennett, a Heisman Trophy finalist, had completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 3,425 yards and 20 touchdowns against six interceptions in 13 games.

Tight end Brock Bowers has been his top target throughout the season. He entered Saturday’s game having caught 52 passes for 726 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games, and he caught four passes for 64 yards against Ohio State.

Running back Kenny McIntosh has also been a huge part of the offense, having rushed for 709 yards and 10 scores in 13 games. He rushed for 70 yards and caught five passes for 56 yards and one score against Ohio State.

While the Georgia offense is respectable, its defense is the heart and soul of the team. Entering the Peach Bowl allowing 292.1 yards of total offense, it ranked seventh in the nation.

If the Georgia defense can come up big against TCU, the Bulldogs will become the first team in CFP history to win back-to-back national titles.

Read More Erin Walsh

Projecting Who’s Staying and Who’s Leaving Georgia After Bowl Game

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Projecting Who’s Staying and Who’s Leaving Georgia After Bowl Game

Projecting Who’s Staying and Who’s Leaving Georgia After Bowl Game

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    Stetson Bennett

    Stetson BennettJonathan Bachman/Getty Images

    For the second straight year, the Georgia Bulldogs are headed to the College Football Playoff National Championship. They defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 42-41 in the Peach Bowl on Saturday.

    Soon enough, though, UGA will begin retooling the roster.

    As usual, the program will have an enormously talented group. Georgia has stacked elite recruiting classes for several cycles, and top transfers will heavily consider—or have already picked—the SEC powerhouse.

    Georgia will inevitably lose talented players to the NFL draft and transfer portal but will enter 2023 in excellent shape to compete for an SEC title and another trip to the CFP.

Who’s Leaving?

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    Christopher Smith

    Christopher SmithBrandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    The Seniors

    The typical disclaimer applies to seniors who technically have another year of eligibility after the NCAA didn’t count the 2020 season. However, quarterback Stetson Bennett, defensive end Robert Beal Jr. and safety Christopher Smith have exhausted their time in college.

    NFL Departures

    Early declarations for the draft are nothing new to Georgia, which has a handful of potential first-round selections. The biggest names to know are defensive tackle Jalen Carter, cornerback Kelee Ringo, offensive tackle Broderick Jones and linebacker Nolan Smith. Running back Kenny McIntosh, tight end Darnell Washington and defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse could also pursue the NFL.

    Arik Gilbert and Future Transfers

    Understandably, players haven’t yet announced if they’re planning to leave Athens. For example, most of last year’s 13 transfers exited after Georgia’s championship pursuit ended. The marquee departure, though, is tight end Arik Gilbert. The former top recruit transferred to UGA in 2021 but made a minimal impact in his two seasons.

Who’s Probably Staying?

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    Brock Bowers

    Brock BowersJames Gilbert/Getty Images

    Brock Bowers, TE

    No matter who starts at quarterback—more on that shortly—Georgia’s new starter can target an All-American tight end. Brock Bowers has a pair of 50-catch campaigns in two seasons with the Dawgs and is likely to appear on early 2024 NFL mock drafts.

    Top Defensive Players

    Six players who aren’t even draft-eligible are main contributors for UGA’s vaunted defense. This group includes defensive end Mykel Williams, linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon Jr. and defensive backs Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassiter and Malaki Starks.

    QBs, QBs, QBs

    If a big-name transfer enters the portal, the Dawgs may express interest. Georgia is well-prepared for Bennett’s departure, though. Current quarterbacks include 2020 4-star Carson Beck, 2021 5-star Brock Vandagriff and 2022 4-star Gunner Stockton. Perhaps of note, Beck earned the backup job this season.

Who’s on the Way?

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    Dominic Lovett

    Dominic LovettJay Biggerstaff/Getty Images

    Key WR Transfers

    Georgia has already swiped a couple of established wide receivers from other SEC programs. Dominic Lovett paced Missouri with 56 catches and 846 yards in 2022, while Mississippi State’s RaRa Thomas grabbed 44 passes for 626 yards and seven touchdowns.

    So Many Top Defensive Prospects

    It’s kind of ridiculous at this point, you know? Georgia’s second-ranked recruiting class includes nine defenders who are rated top-100 overall talents. The headliners are 5-star edge-rusher Damon Wilson and 5-star cornerback AJ Harris, though edge-rusher Samuel M’Pemba is also worth a mention as the nation’s highest-ranked 4-star.

    Peyton Woodring, K

    Specialists only command the spotlight in clutch moments. Since veteran Jack Podlesny is likely moving on, the Dawgs need a new face on center stage next season. Georgia recently signed Peyton Woodring, the nation’s top-ranked kicker. He drilled a 60-yard attempt during his senior year.

    Recruit rankings via 247Sports.

Read More David Kenyon

Projecting Who’s Staying and Who’s Leaving from Ohio State After Bowl Game

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Projecting Who’s Staying and Who’s Leaving from Ohio State After Bowl Game

Projecting Who’s Staying and Who’s Leaving from Ohio State After Bowl Game

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    C.J. Stroud

    C.J. StroudG Fiume/Getty Images

    Approximately 127 other programs would love to have an 11-win season that ends in the College Football Playoff, but the Ohio State Buckeyes will leave 2022 a bit dissatisfied with their year. The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs defeated Ohio State 42-41 in the Peach Bowl.

    Reality will quickly set in for OSU, which is bracing to lose an All-American quarterback and several likely NFL-bound players.

    Optimism won’t be in short supply, though.

    Although the Bucks have outgoing players—both in the draft and the transfer portal—the roster is still loaded. Between the incoming recruiting class and potential transfer additions to come, OSU should approach the 2023 campaign as a national threat yet again.

Who’s Leaving?

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    Zach Harrison

    Zach HarrisonFrank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    The Seniors

    When the NCAA didn’t take a season of eligibility in 2020, athletic years no longer necessarily matched academic listings. Right tackle Dawand Jones and edge-rusher Zach Harrison are among the seniors with an option to return but will—along with defensive back Tanner McCalister and kicker Noah Ruggles, who are out of eligibility—likely turn pro.

    C.J. Stroud and NFL-Bound Players

    Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has announced he will enter the 2023 NFL draft following a disappointing, injury-affected year. Star quarterback C.J. Stroud, a potential No. 1 overall pick, is expected to pursue the NFL.

    Others to know offensively are running back Miyan Williams, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., center Luke Wypler and tight end Cade Stover. Linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers are possible departures on defense, along with safety Lathan Ransom.

    Transfers

    For now, only defenders Teradja Mitchell, Jantzen Dunn and Jaylen Johnson have entered the portal. Mitchell is a former starter but missed most of 2022 because of injury. However, more players will follow suit as the College Football Playoff run comes to an end.

Who’s Probably Staying?

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    Marvin Harrison Jr.

    Marvin Harrison Jr.Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    The Dynamic Receiver Duo

    The breakout season from Marvin Harrison Jr. proved even better than expected. The son of the NFL Hall of Famer carved out a brilliant first year as a starter, landing All-American honors alongside Emeka Egbuka. Both players—neither of whom will be eligible for the NFL draft until next cycle—surpassed the 1,000-yard mark and caught nine-plus touchdowns.

    And the Dynamic D-Line Duo

    Ohio State knows it has questions to answer defensively based solely on Michigan’s five explosive touchdowns in the rivalry win. But the Buckeyes have two cornerstone pieces in edge-rushers J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, who each recorded four-plus sacks.

    TreVeyon Henderson, RB

    Injuries cost TreVeyon Henderson about one-third of the season, and he strangely wasn’t as much of a receiving threat as his freshman year. Henderson, who totaled 1,586 scrimmage yards and 19 touchdowns in 2021, will be aiming for an All-American bounce-back in 2023.

Who’s on the Way?

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    Another Round of Receivers

    Few, if any, assistant coaches recruit their position better than Brian Hartline. Brandon Inniss is the latest 5-star signee for Ohio State, which nabbed two more 4-star talents at receiver. Noah Rogers and Carnell Tate also earned top-10 rankings at the position.

    Lincoln Kienholz, QB

    At the last minute, the Bucks flipped Lincoln Kienholz from his pledge to Washington. Ohio State brought the 4-star in for an official visit in late November, offered him shortly after the trip and added Kienholz to the QB room in December.

    Nearly All of Ohio’s Top Prospects

    During the early signing period, seven of the eight highest-ranked in-state players inked a letter of intent to join the Buckeyes. Offensive lineman Luke Montgomery headlines the haul as the nation’s No. 52 prospect, while Joshua Padilla and Austin Siereveld are also 4-star blockers.

Read More David Kenyon

Georgia vs. TCU: Early picks, predictions, odds for College Football Playoff National Championship game

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Georgia vs. TCU: Early picks, predictions, odds for College Football Playoff National Championship game

The 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship is set. No. 1 Georgia will square off with No. 3 TCU at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday, Jan. 9. It’s a David vs. Goliath battle as the defending champion Bulldogs put their crown on the line against a Horned Frogs team seen as the biggest longshot of the four teams to reach this season’s CFP.

Georgia got here thanks to a thrilling 42-41 comeback win over No. 4 Ohio State in the Peach Bowl semifinal. The Bulldogs found themselves down 38-24 entering the fourth quarter but put together three scoring drives to rally and win. Quarterback Stetson Bennett IV found wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for a 10-yard touchdown to finish a five-play, 72-yard drive with only 54 seconds remaining. Bennett ended the game with 398 yards passing and three touchdowns with most of his work coming in the fourth quarter. It was only the second this season the Dawgs found themselves in a one-score game.

TCU reached the title game after pulling off the biggest upset in playoff history. The Frogs beat No. 2 Michigan 51-45 as an eight-point underdog in a wild Fiesta Bowl that saw the Frogs’ 18-point lead dwindle to as few as three early in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Max Duggan threw two interceptions and completed only 14 of his 29 passes for 225 yards but made enough key plays to give his offense a chance. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston caught six passes for 163 yards, and the TCU defense had two pick-sixes. TCU’s victory was the first win by a Big 12 team in the CFP.

Let’s take a look at where each team stands ahead of the CFP National Championship before our CBS Sports college football experts provide their first-look picks for the game.

No. 1 Georgia (14-0), Peach Bowl champion

Georgia is supposed to be here. The Dawgs won their first national title since 1980 last year and began the 2022 season as one of the favorites to win the crown again. They’ve done what was expected of them, even if things have looked a bit different. Last season, Georgia had what many considered to be one of the greatest defenses in college football history as it dominated opponents. This year, the Dawgs defense is still one of the best in the country, but it has not been nearly as dominant.

There were times this season when it looked like Georgia was playing with its food. After announcing its return with authority in a 49-3 win over Oregon in the season-opener, the Dawgs messed around in games against Kent State, Missouri, and Kentucky. However, when it came time to handle business, Georgia did it repeatedly. it crushed rival Auburn, ended Tennessee’s dreams of a perfect season, spanked Florida one more time and put up 50 points on LSU in the SEC Championship Game. After beating Ohio State in the Peach Bowl, Georgia has a chance to become the first team to win consecutive national titles since Alabama (2010-11) and the first to ever do it in the CFP era.

No. 3 TCU (13-1), Fiesta Bowl champion

You know how there’s always that one team that tells you, “nobody believed in us,” even though they’ve won multiple conference titles and were favorites to win it again this year? Well, if the Frogs tell you nobody believed in them, believe it. Nobody believed in them. TCU went 5-7 last year and fired longtime coach Gary Patterson. Sonny Dykes crossed town from SMU to take over the program, and the Frogs began 2022 unranked with notably low expectations. They started the season with three straight wins over a lackluster nonconference slate. It wasn’t until TCU beat No. 19 Oklahoma 55-24 that it got any respect.

TCU debuted at No. 17 in the AP Top 25 the following week and did nothing but move up from there. The win over Oklahoma was the first of four consecutive victories over ranked opponents. TCU added a fifth win over a ranked team when it beat Texas 17-10 on the road in mid-November. The Frogs were masters of the comeback, routinely being knocked to the mat only to bounce back and continue to fight until their opponents eventually cracked. Duggan began the season as the backup, but an injury to QB Chandler Morris left the door open for Duggan to take the job back — and he never relented. Duggan finished the season as Heisman Trophy finalist, and his resiliency was a perfect reflection of the Frogs as a whole. Now the team that began the season unranked and wasn’t supposed to be here has a chance to shock the world again.

Georgia vs. TCU early pick, predictions

No. 1 Georgia opens as a 13-point favorite over No. 3 TCU in Los Angeles, according to Caesars Sportsbook.

Read More Tom Fornelli

College football odds: CFP title game early lines for Georgia-TCU

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College football odds: CFP title game early lines for Georgia-TCU

Can the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (14-0) become the first repeat college football national champions in a decade? 

Or will the No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs (13-1) complete their Cinderella season by winning it all?

The Bulldogs and Horned Frogs will play for the national championship on Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

RELATED: RJ Young’s reaction to CFP semifinals

As for the odds, Georgia opened as a 13.5-point favorite at FOX Bet, with the Over/ Under (total) opening at 61.5.

The Bulldogs are -600 on the moneyline to win straight up (bet $10 to win $11.67 total), with the Horned Frogs at +430 (bet $10 to win $53 total). 

TCU was +20000 to win it all (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) prior to the season.

The defending champions advanced to the CFP title game by edging the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes 42-41 in a thriller on Saturday night (or Sunday morning Eastern time) at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. 

The Bulldogs held on to win when the Buckeyes missed a potential game-winning 50-yard field goal with three seconds to go.

Earlier, the Horned Frogs advanced by outscoring the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines 51-45 in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.

The title game will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 9.

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Are you ready to wager on the CFP title game? If so, head over to FOX Bet for all your wagers.

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College Football Playoff Predictions: Expert Picks for Saturday’s Semifinals – Sports Illustrated

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College Football Playoff Predictions: Expert Picks for Saturday’s Semifinals – Sports Illustrated

The College Football Playoff is here, as the sport sends out the year 2022 with a pair of compelling semifinal clashes. In the first, undefeated No. 2 Michigan battles No. 3 TCU, a program making its first CFP appearance, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN. In the second, two football bluebloods will meet as unbeaten No. 1 Georgia takes on upset-minded No. 4 Ohio State at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The winners will then play for the national championship on Monday, Jan. 9 in Los Angeles.

Who will prevail in the Playoff semifinals? A quartet of Sports Illustrated college football writers preview each game, complete with score predictions and their pick for game MVP.

Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State

Pat Forde: Georgia 35, Ohio State 21

If the Buckeyes had trouble holding up in the second half against the power of Michigan, what are they going to do here? Georgia is the most physically dominant team in the nation, punishing on both sides of the ball, and Ohio State flunked a test it had a year to study for in that regard against the Wolverines. The Buckeyes have five weeks to get better in an area where that’s not easy to do. If they are going to pull this off, they will need their best players to perform like superstars—quarterback C.J. Stroud and receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, specifically. That’s certainly possible, which is underscored by the roasting the Georgia secondary got from LSU in the SEC championship game. But the Ohio State defense will also need to avoid the glaring lapses it had against Michigan, because Georgia can befuddle the Buckeyes with misdirection and eye candy to spring some big plays in the passing game and on the perimeter—then finish them off between the tackles with the power running attack.

Forde’s pick for game MVP: Stetson Bennett. The Georgia quarterback is a master distributor of the ball who can also make plays with his legs. He could have another in a series of big games in big spots.

Ross Dellenger: Georgia 31, Ohio State 20

The Bulldogs are a more complete team than the one that won it all last season. Sure, their defense is rock solid as always, but QB Stetson Bennett and his offense have put together one of the best offensive seasons in the country. The unit ranks eighth in total offense, 17 spots better than last season. It’s scored more than 30 points in all but three games this season, hitting 45 points in five games. Don’t sleep on the Bulldogs’ offense. We don’t expect the Buckeyes to be napping defensively, but we do expect Kirby Smart’s defense to swallow an Ohio State offense that, while talented and explosive, has struggled against good (and some bad) teams this year (it didn’t score more than 23 points in games against Notre Dame, Northwestern and Michigan).

Dellenger’s pick for game MVP: Georgia TE Brock Bowers. Bowers will add to his three rushing touchdowns and six TD catches this year in route to the MVP honors.

Stetson Bennett and Brock Bowers slap hands

Bennett and Bowers are both among our picks for Peach Bowl MVP.

Richard Johnson: Georgia 34, Ohio State 30

The Buckeyes offense, led by receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., will push the Dawgs on defense like they haven’t been yet this season. But in the end, Georgia’s offense surprisingly will be the thing that takes it over the top when Stetson Bennett outduels C.J. Stroud thanks to the help of his matchup-nightmare tight ends.

Johnson’s pick for game MVP: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

John Garcia: Georgia 34, Ohio State 24

The more I read into the game, from a casual personnel perspective or a more specific research-based one, it keeps coming back to Georgia. The program has been the juggernaut of the sport since the 2020 pandemic season and could be wrapping up its best campaign relative to its offensive ability climbing closer to the dominant nature of the Bulldogs’ defense. The Buckeyes argument has me playing more hypotheticals than pure matchups—IF Ohio State can establish the run against the vaunted UGA front, then the passing game could open up. IF C.J. Stroud uses his legs and Ryan Day’s staff works a mobile pocket, perhaps Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and a talented wide receiver corps can win one-on-one matchups with the Bulldogs’ secondary.

It’s the opposite on the defending champions’ front, where the feel is Georgia can adjust to whatever nature the game presents with ease. It could dominate time of possession and combine its run game and short passing game to keep the ball away from Stroud, creating fewer possessions and a fresher defense to attack the Buckeyes in the process. Even in the event of a shootout, Georgia has shown the capabilities to operate more freely offensively in 2022 with the best tight end room in the country and an all-of-a-sudden healthy wide receiver group available for the first time since its demolition of Oregon to open the season. Familiarity seems to be the best formula to slow down Stetson Bennett & Co., as select SEC teams have come close over the years, compared to nonconference opponents that have been met with Georgia power and aggression on both sides of the ball.

The last non-SEC program to beat the Bulldogs was the “We’re Back!” Texas Longhorns and Sam Ehlinger back on Jan. 1, 2019. Nearly four years to the day later, it’s tough to imagine it happening again.

Garcia’s pick for game MVP: With Ohio State’s defensive focus on Brock Bowers & Co., Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh will make big plays on the ground and in the air against an OSU defense vulnerable to a power scheme. The last time we saw the Buckeyes, Michigan ran for 250-plus yards without its lead back.

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Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU

Forde: Michigan 38, TCU 28

The crux of the matter is whether the Horned Frogs can hold up defensively enough to give their offense a chance to win the game. The data suggests no. TCU is a middling defensive unit, entering bowl season ranked 56th nationally in yards allowed per play (5.41) and 118th in number of scrimmage plays allowed of 20 yards or longer (69). That’s a bad combination against an opponent with newfound explosiveness (Donovan Edwards on the ground, several receivers through the air) but also the mentality to patiently grind out five-yard runs all day.

Max Duggan will be able to make some plays passing and probably will make some running, as well. It would certainly help TCU’s cause if Kendre Miller can get untracked early in the running game, but doing that against the No. 3 rushing defense in the nation will be difficult. Sonny Dykes needs to come to the desert ready to get risky, whereas Harbaugh can arrive relatively certain that his preferred gameplan is probably good enough to carry the day.

Forde’s pick for game MVP: Donovan Edwards. The Michigan running back has been on fire at the end of the season, and that probably won’t stop against TCU.

Dellenger: Michigan 37, TCU 31

Like Georgia, I feel like Michigan is even better than the squad we saw advance to the CFP last season. The Wolverines play a more traditional offensive game mixed with a sturdy and talented defense. But can they corral the Comeback Kids? QB Max Duggan and TCU have put together one of the more unexpected and magical seasons in recent college football history. Coach Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs have won six games this season in which they trailed by double digits in the second half. The fairy tale will come to an end in Phoenix, where the Big 12 regular-season champs meet their toughest test of the year. Even without RB Blake Corum, the Wolverines will roll.

Dellenger’s pick for game MVP: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. Against TCU, McCarthy will continue to be one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country. He has thrown just three picks this year to go with 20 touchdowns.

J.J. McCarthy runs from a Purdue defender

Both Duggan and McCarthy’s mobility could be critical in the matchup. AB, the Michigan QB tries to evade a tackle.

Johnson: Michigan 31, TCU 20

In the end, I think Michigan’s running game simply will prove too fierce. Expect a heavy dose of Donovan Edwards, although the Wolverines have other capable backs in the stable. But the Joe Moore Award–winning offensive line will be the difference in this one.

Johnson’s pick for game MVP: Edwards

Garcia: Michigan 37, TCU 31

While the other semifinal is getting more run on my timeline, it is the battle of elite mascots that should play to more conventional college football entertainment. Both offenses are led by intriguing mobile quarterbacks who have come into their own this year en route to the big stage. TCU Heisman finalist Max Duggan may very well lead the team in rushing before all is said and done; he’s a true dual-threat approach that Michigan’s dominant defense hasn’t quite had to contend with thus far. Duggan’s creativity and grit should help to keep the Horned Frogs in it, though the Wolverines’ attack presents more balance and ball control. Even without Blake Corum, UM presents a lot of issues for opposing defenses with breakout star Donovan Edwards—who is also more comfortable in space than the injured back. That combination should open things up for J.J. McCarthy and one of the most well-distributed and efficient passing attacks in the nation.

Naturally, in a game where the expectation may call for plenty of points, it will be a defensive movement that alters the course of the result. This is where the Michigan secondary, possibly even true freshman Will Johnson, could make that late splash to either help the favorites get the ball back late for a game-winning drive or play catalyst to a clock-milking possession to hold off TCU’s Cinderella ride one final time.

Garcia’s pick for game MVP: McCarthy has shown plenty of flashes in taking over in 2022, but this will be his most complete effort to date—as both a passer and a runner. 

Read More Sharie Volkman

Michigan-TCU – Sights, scene from College Football Playoff – ESPN

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Michigan-TCU – Sights, scene from College Football Playoff – ESPN

Michigan’s botched snap sends TCU to the CFP title game (0:38)

Michigan botches the snap as TCU takes over and seals their trip to the College Football Playoff championship game. (0:38)

The College Football Playoff got off to an entertaining start with the semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl between the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines and No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs.

TCU built a 21-6 lead by halftime, then things got exciting in the third quarter. The Wolverines and Horned Frogs scored 44 combined points in the frame. Michigan continued its comeback effort in the fourth, but TCU held on for the 51-45 victory.

The Horned Frogs are the first Big 12 team to play for a CFP title. For Michigan, it’s a second straight season being ousted in the semifinal round.

Here is a look at some of the huge numbers from this thrilling contest:

96: Total points scored, a record for the Fiesta Bowl. That breaks the mark set by the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Florida Gators in 1996 (86 points). This is also the third-highest-scoring CFP game and the third-highest for an AP top-five matchup.

51: The Horned Frogs’ 51 points are the most in a bowl game in school history. This is also the fifth 50-point game by a team in CFP history.

Michigan also made history. The 51 points are the second-most given up by the team in a bowl game. This is the third time a Jim Harbaugh-coached Wolverines squad allowed 50-plus points. The other two instances came against the Ohio State Buckeyes (62 in 2018 and 56 in 2019).

44: TCU and Michigan scored 44 combined points in the third quarter. That’s the most points scored in a quarter in CFP history, breaking the mark of 40 set by the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the 2016 national championship game.

This is the GREATEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAME EVER!!!

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 1, 2023

Michigan defense is taking the day off!!!

— Tamba Hali (@TambaHali91) January 1, 2023

This game is crazy ????

— F L ⚡️ S H (@Melvingordon25) January 1, 2023

This game is outrageous!!!!

— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) January 1, 2023

This game is crazy ????

— F L ⚡️ S H (@Melvingordon25) January 1, 2023

What a freaking game!!

— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) January 1, 2023

45-plus: This was the second AP top-five matchup in the poll era (since 1936) in which both teams scored 45 or more points. The other occurrence was the 2018 Rose Bowl, also a playoff semifinal, between the Georgia Bulldogs and Oklahoma Sooners.

1: The Horned Frogs ended a winless streak for the Big 12, as teams from the conference were a combined 0-4 in CFP games entering Saturday.

Stars offered their thoughts on the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl via social media.

Horned Frogs thrive in the desert. ????#GoFrogs #DFWBig12Team #FiestaFrogs pic.twitter.com/n6bcM97Bxe

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) January 1, 2023

ALL HAIL THE HYPNOTOAD.#FiestaFrogs | #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/ejtLaOhdjO

— Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 1, 2023

Going to the ‘ship! #FiestaFrogs #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/wyaofwAPSO

— TCU Athletics (@TCU_Athletics) January 1, 2023

Frogs!!!!

— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) January 1, 2023

OHHSHBSMSKSKSKSNSNSBHWJA TCU DID IT!!!! CONGRATULATIONS @TCUFootball WELL DESERVED! #GOFROGS

SEE YALL IN LA.

— TCU (@TCU) January 1, 2023

Yessss ! 1 of 2 so far… let’s go UGA!!

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 1, 2023

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2023

Yessir TCU!!!!!!! Let’s go!!!!!! Big 12 finally in the Natty!!!!!

— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) January 1, 2023

Wow. Tcu!

— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) January 1, 2023

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 1, 2023

Here are the sights and scenes from the game in Glendale, Arizona:

Scenes from the Fiesta Bowl

TCU added another touchdown in the second quarter courtesy of a 6-yard touchdown pass from Max Duggan to Taye Barber. Michigan kicker Jake Moody made two field goals in the frame and the Wolverines trail 21-6 at halftime.

I’m hoping TCU vs UGA ????
TCU Reppin the 12 right now! ????????????????????????

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) December 31, 2022

KNOCK KNOCK ???? pic.twitter.com/CjNP31zoyO

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 31, 2022

Good Half of Football TCU, Regroup and let’s put together another one!

— Reag (@jalenreagor) December 31, 2022

MOOD AT HALFTIME ????@TCUFootball leads Michigan, 21-6, in the @CFBPlayoff Semifinal ???? pic.twitter.com/yGSqfFMJJ7

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 31, 2022

???? ???? pic.twitter.com/8243CuHlUu

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 31, 2022

A strong first quarter

A pick-six by safety Bud Clark and a touchdown run by quarterback Max Duggan gave TCU a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. Horned Frogs fans in the stands and on social media were thrilled about the team’s fast start.

Yessir!!!!!!! Let’s go TCU!!

— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) December 31, 2022

I’m not tweeting much but you best believe I’m turnt up right now.. LFG TCU!!!

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 31, 2022

.@TCUFootball showing my @dallascowboys how to start a playoff game!!!! 14-0

— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) December 31, 2022

TCU fans were HYPED after the pick-six ????#CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/H6JRDlsCcA

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 31, 2022

A star in attendance

Team USA Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps showed up in Arizona to take in the CFP semifinal action.

Pregame huddle

Attack and dominate!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/PyKHPLjp8q

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 31, 2022

Arrivals

The Wolverines are on location!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/yZdhbFIroz

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 31, 2022

???? Fiesta Bowl#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/1fjstLhrMM

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 31, 2022

The arrival. #GoFrogs #DFWBig12Team #FiestaFrogs pic.twitter.com/XJi62nnQAN

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) December 31, 2022

Frogs rolling in. #GoFrogs #DFWBig12Team #FiestaFrogs pic.twitter.com/EIXsTX53ZC

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) December 31, 2022

What they’re wearing

Michigan is keeping things traditional while TCU is going with the all-white.

Fight ’em til hell freezes over, then fight ’em on the ice ⚪️⚪️⚪️#GoFrogs #DFWBig12Team #FiestaFrogs pic.twitter.com/z4CaAvvGbo

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) December 31, 2022

Looking sharp in the desert ????#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/7EkWB4A5SC

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 31, 2022

Animals making picks

If you can trust the prognostications of mongooses or rhinoceroses …

— Fort Worth Zoo (@FortWorthZoo) December 30, 2022

— Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) December 30, 2022

Fans check in

GO BLUE! WOOOOO! @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/bKh4FB0cYT

— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) December 31, 2022

TCU has alumni and seemingly all of the Dallas-Fort Worth area behind it.

Let’s go @TCU ???? pic.twitter.com/sIvYPVT2W0

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 31, 2022

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 31, 2022

Go Frogs!!! #BTHOmichigan ????⬆️

— Jim Schlossnagle (@CoachSchloss) December 31, 2022

It’s game day let’s go @TCUFootball !!!! ????????️????????

— Matt Carpenter (@MattCarp13) December 31, 2022

— DFW Airport (@DFWAirport) December 30, 2022

ESPN Stats and Information contributed to this story

Read More Tami Stoval

Fantasy Football Rankings Week 17: Sleepers, starts, sits | Brock Purdy, Tyler Allgeier and more – The Athletic

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Fantasy Football Rankings Week 17: Sleepers, starts, sits | Brock Purdy, Tyler Allgeier and more – The Athletic

It’s championship week! Congrats if you’re here, or even if you’re playing for third place, the consolation bracket or just to avoid last place. I appreciate all of you, every year… unless you’re playing with kickers. Repeating the format from last week, I’ll touch on fringe starters with good and bad matchups for the Week 17 fantasy football rankings. Reminder! The 101 link (below) touches on all the weather, start/sit tough calls and more, so give it a read first. Good luck in the final week (for most).

#CheckTheLink-age
Waivers | Week 17 SOS Ranks
Fantasy Football 101 (weather, lineups, trading, more)
All in Football (video pod)

2022 Week 17 Fantasy Football Sleepers

???? HEADS UP ???? These are sleepers. They will not mimic my rankings 100%. This is chasing upside and often carries more risk.

As with last week, I’m going to mix it up a bit. You don’t need a paragraph per player at this point. So, using APA (link above), I’ll give you some good and bad matchups for fringe starters (aka, sleepers or possible benchables). This does NOT mean the good are must-starts or the bad need to be benched everywhere. These are simply a look at potential upside plays and players you might think twice about with a quality replacement on hand.

QUARTERBACK

Good Matchups

  • Aaron Rodgers, GB — Rodgers is a floor play this season, but at least the Vikings have given up double-digit fantasy points to every quarterback this year… well… after Rodgers’ 3.7 points in Week 1.
  • Russell Wilson, DEN — Speaking of floor, Wilson has hit it hard with around eight points in three of the past four games, but the Chiefs let Wilson have his second-highest score of the season in Week 14.
  • Jared Goff, DET — Goff not only played well outdoors, but he also had one of the best Week 16 games and now heads home to face the Bears.
  • Brock Purdy, SF — Mac Jones is the only quarterback who didn’t reach double-digit points against the Raiders, and Purdy has scored between 14.3 and 21.7 points in each of his four starts.

Bad Matchups

  • Taylor Heinicke/Carson Wentz, WSH — Yes, the Browns had the advantage of facing three of the worst quarterbacks in the past four games, but they also limited Joe Burrow and Josh Allen, plus teams can run on them without needing the pass.
  • Deshaun Watson, CLE — Not only is Watson still rusty, the Commanders have let only one quarterback top Justin Fields’ 18.4 points since Week 3, and that was Jalen Hurts scoring 21.8.
  • Derek Carr, LV — When it comes to limiting quarterbacks, few — if any — do it better than the 49ers, allowing just two quarterbacks to top 17.4 points, and holding eight to 10.3 points or fewer.
  • Geno Smith, SEA — Smith’s past two games were rather poor with lines of 238-1-0 and 215-1-1 against the 49ers and Chiefs, respectively, and now Smith has to try to rebound against the Jets. They have held eight quarterbacks to 14.1 points or fewer, with no quarterback throwing for more than one touchdown since Week 3.

RUNNING BACK

Good Matchups

  • Zonovan Knight, NYJ — Knight gets the favorable Seahawks matchup, but more importantly, Mike White is back at quarterback, who understands using his running backs as receivers.
  • Tyler Allgeier, ATL — Taking the backfield lead, he has 20.1 and 13.7 in the past two games, and Allgeier faces the Cardinals coming off allowing a rushing line of 27-108-0 and a receiving line of 14-13-107-1 combined for Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White.
  • Brian Robinson, WSH — Antonio Gibson is banged up, but even if he wasn’t, the Browns are a favorable matchup where teams can lean on the run. Alvin Kamara had volume in his favor against them last week with 20-76-1 on the ground.
  • Zack Moss, IND — This feels dangerous given the state of the Colts offense, but Moss was the clear lead in Week 16 and saw bellcow-like work, plus the Giants have struggled against the run all year.

Bad Matchups

  • Jeff Wilson/Raheem Mostert, MIA — Wilson returned to lead in Week 16, but it was still a split that could lead to frustrating use, plus we have a matchup against the Patriots defense and Teddy Bridgewater likely at quarterback.
  • Ken Walker, SEA — It’s hard to bench Walker, anywhere, but the Jets defense is strong nearly everywhere, allowing under 4.0 YPC and no one but Nick Chubb to top 18.7 points. Even with 25 touches (22 rushing) Travis Etienne had just 112 yards for 4.5 yards per touch.
  • Gus Edwards, BAL — Edwards has been a reliable floor RB3, but he might find it tough against the Steelers. Edwards managed 13-for-66 in Week 14 against them, but Josh Jacobs was just bottled up a week after the Panthers did nothing against them, and several teams have failed to have even one player rush for 70 years.
  • Najee Harris, PIT — On the other side, Harris has volume in his favor, but his Week 14 game against Baltimore was saved with a touchdown (12-for-33 rushing). In fact, the Ravens have allowed just three running backs to run for 80+ yards and no RB has hit 100 (Nick Chubb came just short at 21-for-99).

WIDE RECEIVER

Good Matchups

  • Christian Watson, Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, GB — If Watson is out, Lazard and Doubs are near must-starts. And if Watson plays, he’s a lock with Lazard and Doubs as worthy upside plays. All three Giants receivers had 9.9+ points last week against Minnesota, and as recently as Week 14, four Detroit receivers had 10.4+ points against these Vikings.
  • Brandin Cooks, Chris Moore, HOU — Cooks is a solid WR3 as long as he plays, and while the Jaguars stopped the Jets, that was Zach Wilson and awful weather conditions. The Jaguars have allowed two double-digit wideouts in five games and two of those had three wideouts hit that mark.
  • Russell Gage, Mike Evans, TB — Gage has supplanted Evans as the No. 2, at least in production. If you’re looking for a reason to risk Evans’ upside (can’t believe I just said that), the Panthers are ripe for the picking after allowing Goff to light them up… outdoors.
  • Rashid Shaheed, NO — This is only if Chris Olave is out, as I would only risk one Saints receiver a week. The Saints will have to pass to contend with the Eagles, and they’ve been more susceptible in the second half of the season.

Bad Matchups

  • Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, WSH — Back to the Browns matchup, McLaurin and Dotson might be tough to bench, but no matter the quarterback, there is more risk than normal.
  • Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE — Same goes for the Browns duo, as the Commanders have only allowed Justin Jefferson to surpass 13.1 points since Week 7.
  • Van Jefferson, LAR — Sure, the Rams lit up the Broncos, but that wasn’t due to any wideout performance, and the Chargers have locked down opponents more often than not since everyone got healthy.
  • Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, NYJ — Even with White back, it’s risky to gamble on Davis or Moore, as the Rams, 49ers and Chiefs had no WR top 31 yards against Seattle the past three weeks. On top of that, only 13 receivers have reached 10 points against the Seahawks, with none topping 18.2 and five teams not having a double-digit scorer.

TIGHT END

Good Matchups

  • Cole Kmet, CHI — Good matchup, no weather concerns, and Kmet has 24 targets in his past four games.
  • Dalton Schultz, DAL — Schultz has been quiet the past two games but had 10+ points in four of six games prior, and the Titans have given up some of the biggest tight end games this year (Evan Engram and Mo Alie-Cox anyone?).
  • Gerald Everett, LAC — Six double-digit tight end scores allowed since Week 8 by the Rams.

Bad Matchups

  • Logan Thomas, WSH — Just three double-digit scores from tight ends against the Browns (again, teams don’t need them), and one of those was Taysom Hill, rushing for 9-56-1.
  • Tyler Higbee, LAR — Higbee is back to relevancy with Baker Mayfield but can find it tough this week, again, given the Chargers matchup. Just like the Browns, they have only allowed three double-digit scores… though, one of those was Kelce’s monster game.
  • Hayden Hurst, CIN — Assuming he returns, it would be risky to use Hurst off an injury and against the Bills. Only Kelce — that guy must be good, huh — has scored more than 8.0 points against them.

Week 17 Fantasy Football Projections

???? HEADS UP ???? These can differ from my rankings, and my ranks are the order I’d start players outside of added context, such as, “Need highest upside, even if risky.” Also, based on 4-point TDs for QB, 6-point rest, and Half-PPR

Projections Download Link 

***These are NOT updated Sunday morning, FYI***

Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings

???? HEADS UP ????

  • We might have found a solution to the rankings widget issue by using Fantasy Nation (via Football Diehards). All three scorings work and are editable by me (unlike before), and the widget will let you scroll on Android (browser) without using two fingers! YAY!
  • Updated regularly, so check all the way up to lineups locking.
  • DST ranks are under the Standard Scoring tab

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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