The highly-anticipated College Football Playoff between the University of Georgia and Texas Christian University will take place on Dec. 9. After wildly contrasting 2021 seasons in which Georgia claimed its first national championship while TCU finished with a losing record, the game represents the ultimate ‘David and Goliath’ matchup in college football. “After one of college football’s most tumultuous and surprising seasons in recent memory, Georgia and TCU will face off for college football’s ultimate honor: The Bulldogs looking to defend their crown while the Horned Frogs attempting to write a fairytale ending to their most magical of seasons,” Sports Editor Wyatt Meyer wrote. Graphic by Wyatt Meyer
Sports Editor Wyatt Meyer and Sports Staffer Michael Campbell make predictions for the 2022 College Football Playoff.
After a frantic Friday night of college football, the country finally has their College Football Playoff matchup: Georgia versus TCU.
In the first game, TCU and Michigan exchanged offensive blows in a fiercely competitive game that just skewed in favor of the Horned Frogs, who won 51-45. The game ensured TCU passage to their first national championship game 1938, nearly a hundred years ago.
In the nightcap, Georgia looked as though they would fall victim to a precise Ohio State passing attack, as UGA trailed by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter. However, UGA mounted a furious comeback sealed by quarterback Stetson Bennett’s late pass to Adonai Mitchell, which put the Dawgs up by a point with under a minute to go. When Ohio State kicker Noah Ruggles shanked his kick wide left just as the clock struck midnight on the last play of the game, Georgia fans could finally breathe easily again.
After one of college football’s most tumultuous and surprising seasons in recent memory, Georgia and TCU will face off for college football’s ultimate honor: The Bulldogs looking to defend their crown while the Horned Frogs attempting a fairytale ending to their most magical of seasons.
Read our Sports Writers’s picks for the game below!
What moment led each team to the national championship?
Sports Staffer Michael Campbell: The defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs played a game of grit and determination in the CFP semifinal, outscoring Ohio State 18-3 in the fourth quarter, and were able to pull through with a clutch timeout on a fake punt that would have given the explosive Buckeye offense the ball. As for TCU, the underdogs of the year have been through their ups and downs this season, but have fought and battled their way to the national championship. TCU played in a battle of the offense in the semi-final game against Michigan, but they were able to make a goal line stand, force a fumble, and intercept two passes for touchdowns. Michigan gave TCU 21 points, who took advantage and won the game, showcasing the team’s opportunism.
Sports Editor Wyatt Meyer: Throughout the season, it never felt as though Georgia had truly been tested. Sure, there were scares against Missouri and Kentucky, but until they played Ohio State, Georgia had virtually cruised through their schedule. Against OSU, Georgia finally met a team that challenged them, but they found themselves equal to it. For TCU, the most impactful moment in their season arguably came way back in the third quarter of their season opener against Colorado, when starting quarterback Chandler Morris injured his knee. Max Duggan took over in that game and hasn’t looked back since, leading the Horned Frogs charge to the national championship.
What will each team’s keys to success be?
Sports Staffer Michael Campbell: The key to success for Georgia will be to limit the big plays. The Bulldogs will also have to rely on their secondary to stay in coverage because Duggan will look to make plays outside the pocket and tire the Georgia defensive line, who looked gassed against the Buckeyes. Georgia will also have to find their rhythm against a unique defense that they have only seen once all year, against Kent State all the way back in September. TCU will need to keep the Georgia defense on their toes by having a good running game and continuing to make takeaways on defense. TCU will also have to contain UGA tight end Brock Bowers and the Georgia offense. Both teams have strengths and weaknesses, ensuring the game will come down to the wire.
“Both (UGA and TCU) have strengths and weaknesses, ensuring the game will come down to the wire.”
— Michael Campbell,
Sports Staffer
Sports Editor Wyatt Meyer: Georgia will have to start preventing the big plays on defense. Against Ohio State, the Bulldogs were often burned by Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud and his receiving corps. In fact, until UGA defensive back Javon Bullard knocked OSU wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. out of the game with a big third quarter hit, Harrison had burned the vaunted Georgia defense to the tune of 105 yards and two touchdowns. Limiting those explosive plays will play a big part in any Georgia victory. On the TCU side, the only way they’ll be able to beat the Bulldogs is if they dig into what’s made them successful all year: their grit. The Horned Frogs have been the comeback kings of college football this year, losing just once all season despite constantly falling behind in their games. If they’re going to stand any chance against a heavily-favored Georgia, TCU is going to need to dig deeper than they have all season.
Which players will most heavily impact the game?
A graphic displays the standout performers from Georgia’s win over Ohio State and TCU’s victory over Michigan on Dec. 31. Both teams played out high-scoring, intense games, but they managed to prevail to set up a marquee matchup in the College Football Playoff. “The defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs played a game of grit and determination in the CFP semifinal, outscoring Ohio State 18-3 in the fourth quarter,” Sports Staffer Michael Campbell wrote. “TCU played in a battle of the offense in the semi-final game against Michigan, but they were able to make a goal line stand, force a fumble, and intercept two passes for touchdowns.” Graphic by Wyatt Meyer
Sports Staffer Michael Campbell: There are future NFL stars all over the field for both of these teams, but the players that stick out are both quarterbacks who have proven themselves to be at the top of college football and will play hard to prove that. Georgia has their two-headed tight end attack in Bowers and Darnell Washington, who are a huge part of the Georgia offense. On the flip side, Washington’s injury against the Buckeyes may affect the UGA offense, but freshman Oscar Delp should fill in if Washington is unable to play. TCU depends on their rushing game and they have two backs who can burn opposing defenses in Emari Demarcado – who rushed for over 150 yards against Michigan – and Kendre Miller, who rushed for 56 more despite leaving early in the game. Miller is expected to play against the Dawgs. On defense, monster defensive lineman Jalen Carter will be a force for the Bulldogs while linebacker Dee Winters will be all over the field for the Horned Frogs.
Sports Editor Wyatt Meyer: After a quiet performance in the win against Ohio State, Carter will have extra motivation to turn up against TCU. While Bennett and Duggan undoubtedly need to have big games to give their teams a chance, the contest might be decided in crucial moments by each team’s defense. For TCU, their star wide receiver Quentin Johnson must replicate his vintage performance against Michigan in which he racked up 163 yards and a touchdown. Duggan found Johnson for big play after big play in that game, something both will look to repeat against Georgia.
Who will come out on top?
Sports Staffer Michael Campbell: The Georgia Bulldogs will defend their crown and win 35-24 in a battle of the offenses and special teams. These teams will both put up points, but both defenses will want to play better in this game and will eliminate the big plays and cause turnovers. TCU will fight hard early, but Georgia will slow their offense down and play their game. The Horned Frogs are on fire right now, but the Dawgs are ready to put their fire out, meaning Bennett will deliver the Bulldogs another national championship.
Sports Editor Wyatt Meyer: Georgia, 48-38. Although TCU has the momentum, storyline and most of the country behind them, Georgia will prove to be just too much for the Horned Frogs. Behind Carter, Georgia’s defense will force crucial first-half turnovers that will see the Dawgs go in with a sizable lead at halftime. Though Duggan and TCU will try to mount another trademark comeback, it will prove to be too little, too late, and Georgia will capture their second straight national championship.
