CFB Championship Preview
- Georgia Bulldogs vs TCU Horned Frogs
- Monday, January 9th
- Spread: Georgia -13
- 7:30 PM on ESPN
It’s always a bittersweet feeling on the day of the National Championship. We’ve watched the two best competitors give their all to get to this point. The best team will walk away hoisting that solid gold trophy. However, there’s always the fact that after this, college football won’t be back until the fall. It’s part of the glory that comes with it, so we have to deal with it. Luckily, NFL playoffs will run for another month and after that, we get to see the XFL take the field again as well as the USFL. So, we aren’t going to be completely without football.
Let’s dive into this CFB Championship matchup. This is going to be a fun game!
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia comes into this matchup having overcome a hard-fought victory in the Peach Bowl vs Ohio State. Ohio State came out swinging and took a 14-point lead early on. After 4 long quarters, Georgia took the lead late in the 4th, and Ohio State had a chance to win it on a long field goal and botched it. Georgia was moving on to the National Championship.
Georgia is led by senior QB Stetson Bennett, who threw for 3,823 yards and 23 TDs. The running back duo of Kenny McIntosh and Daijun Edwards combined for 1,500+ rushing yards and 2,000+ yards from scrimmage due to McIntosh catching 42 passes for 500 yards. Altogether, they had 19 touchdowns. Their receiving threats are led by Brock Bowers, sophomore tight end, who led the Dogs in receiving with 790 yards and 6 TDs.
Look for Adonai Mitchel to make some noise in this game. With Ladd McConkey dealing with an injury, he could be a nice play to double your money with +100 odds (DraftKings). He was helpful against Ohio State, logging 3 catches for 43 yards and a TD while Ladd McConkley was dealing with his injury.
Another name I like as an “Anytime TD” bet is wide receiver Arian Smith, +300 on DraftKings. He returned from injury in this game and we saw him leave a defender in the dust on a deep ball in the middle of the 4th quarter against Ohio State to bring them back within one score. Fun fact, he ran a 10.30 100-meter dash in high school. The man is fast as lightning!
After throwing for just shy of 400 yards and 3 TDs against Ohio State not even two weeks ago, it would shock me if Stetson Bennett didn’t have himself another solid night. The TCU defense let up 343 yards against J.J. McCarthy and Michigan, who do not thrive on the passing game. Stetson Bennett must be licking his chops right now.
The Georgia defense is no pushover. Considering they have been without NFL prospects Nolan Smith and Dan Jackson for the better part of the season, that’s pretty impressive. If they can overcome an Ohio State offense that was firing on all cylinders, they will put up a fight against the Horned Frogs no matter what.
Before the Peach Bowl, the Bulldogs’ defense was only allowing 12.8 points per game. That’s insanity. Max Duggan will need to play the game of his life tonight.
TCU
The Horned Frogs have stunned the college football world this season. Beginning the season unranked and now staring the CFB title in the face. Led by none other than Max Duggan, Kendre Miller (RB), and Quentin Johnston (WR). Duggan racked up 3,546 passing yards with a 5.33 TD:INT ratio (32 TDs, 6 INTs). Kendre Miller rushed for 1,400 yards and 17 TDs while Quentin Johnston reeled in 1,066 receiving yards and 6 TDs.
Kendre Miller is a little banged up. He told reporters at media day he is going to suit up and play. But added, “I’m going to most definitely try to go” and proceeded to mention he has a new custom brace for his knee. He did not practice much this week, so hopefully, that was to limit any further setbacks.
This draws my eyes to Max Duggan (+130 on Draftkings) or Emari Demercado (-180 on Draftkings) for “Anytime TD” props for tonight’s game (passing TDs do not count for Duggan). Duggan had TWO rushing touchdowns against Michigan. Something to keep in mind!
TCU is fearless of a tough defense. They dropped a 50-point bombard on Michigan’s stout defense, and scored more than 50 points in 4 games this season. Michigan was only allowing 13.4 points per game this season. For TCU to come into the CFB Playoffs and drop 51 points in the Fiesta Bowl, Georgia should not be taking them lightly. A team with absolutely nothing to lose is a scary sight sometimes! TCU moneyline is set at +350 on DraftKings. I might be dabbling in that one.
TCU’s defense didn’t exactly show out this season in the Big 12 statistically speaking. They were middle of the pack in passing yards allowed as well as rushing yards. That goes for both the Big 12 and in the NCAA. However, they were one of the top teams in the nation for interceptions, with 16 this season. That’s tied for 5th-most among Power 5 teams. If the TCU front seven can rattle Stetson Bennett early, and the Horned Frogs can get out to a lead, it would not surprise me if TCU winds up with an interception in this game. J.J. McCarthy threw two against this defense. Stetson Bennett Over 0.5 interceptions sits at -110 on DraftKings.
I don’t know if TCU has the firepower it needs to overcome the Bulldogs, but TCU +13 feels like a really solid bet. TCU +13 is at -110 on DraftKings. If you truly feel as though the Horned Frogs are going to come into SoFi stadium and walk out victorious, TCU moneyline has +350 odds and would be a great payout!
Bets I like
- Over 63.5 points
- TCU +13
- Stetson Bennett Over 0.5 interceptions
- Adonai Mitchell +100 Anytime TD
- Arian Smith +300 Anytime TD
