Following two classic showdowns in the College Football Playoffs (CFP) semi-finals, the stage is set for the Georgia Bulldogs to square off with the TCU Horned Frogs in Los Angeles. The CFP National Championship game is slated for Monday night on January 9th and should be a spectacular showcase between the champions of the SEC (Georgia) and the Big 12 (TCU). Indeed with both teams playing their best ball, this game has the potential to go down as an instant classic. The former is coming off a nail-biting win over Ohio State that saw the Buckeyes miss a game-winning field goal with time winding down. Meanwhile, TCU was able to hold off the scrappy Michigan Wolverines and earn their first berth to the CFP National Championship.
For this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from each team, who will win the CFP National Championship, and also some more notes about college football betting.
Team Spotlight: Georgia Bulldogs
Barely escaping Ohio State in the CFP Semifinals, 42-41, the Bulldogs are looking to defend their crown as champions of the college football world. A squad that has a vaunted defense all year long (12.8 points allowed per game), Georgia surrendered a ton of points to the Buckeyes this past weekend and was at one point down 38-24 heading into the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, the Bulldogs rallied, and quarterback Stetson Bennett was able to connect with two different receivers for touchdown scores in the final period. Following a missed final field goal from Ohio State kicker Noah Ruggles, Georgia survived to face TCU at SoFi Stadium.
For the ‘Dawgs this season, the story has, of course, been their vaunted defense, but Bennett has been incredibly efficient for them on offense with 3,823 passing yards and 23 passing scores. Running back Kenny McIntosh has paced the offense with 779 rushing yards on the season and chipped in 70 against Ohio State on only five carries. In addition to some explosive players on the outside (receivers Arian Smith and Adonai Mitchell), tight end Brock Bowers is one to watch in the middle, with 790 receiving yards and six scores on the year. He has been Bennett’s favorite target at times.
Team Spotlight: TCU Horned Frogs
In a similar vein to the Bulldogs, TCU is coming off its own harrowing win in the semi-finals, holding off Michigan, 51-45. The Horned Frogs mainly had this game in the bag, but the Wolverines kept this one interesting with multiple fourth-quarter scores that cut the deficit to three and six. While Michigan threatened multiple times at the end of the game, the Frogs’ defense stood strong and was able to outlast the 13-1 Wolverines. In this game, TCU quarterback Max Duggan did not have his best outing (14-29, 225 passing yards, three total scores, and two picks), but he is still a Heisman Trophy Finalist for a reason. Though Duggan had an off night, the TCU defense was the star, with two defensive scores.
A squad with stars at multiple positions, TCU’s rushing attack also shined in the last game. Running back Kendre Miller has been the main workhorse this season with 1,3999 rushing yards and 17 scores. His partner in crime, Emari Demercado, however, was the star of the game against the Wolverines with 150 rushing yards and one score. The senior is also from Inglewood, so the CFP National Championship game will be a homecoming for him.
Prediction: While it might be hard to live up to the spectacular showings from the semi-finals, this should still be a great contest. However, the reigning champs just have too much talent on offense and defense. Take Georgia to win straight up.
Once you are all dialed in regarding the CFP National Championship and ready to roll out your bets, SBS has a lot more great information for you to check out. Even though the college football season is coming to an end, you can prepare for the action next year with our NCAAF betting sites guide, which contains a ton of great NCAA football action. This page also has the latest bonuses to get you that extra yard. Speaking of bonuses, for the best comprehensive source related to that topic, the SBS best bonus betting sites breakdown has your back with a catalog of different bonuses and tips for maximizing your wagers. Finally, if you are perhaps uncertain which payment options are the best for you, then our payment methods rundown should give you some clarity on which route for deposits and withdrawals should work best for you.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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