The stage is set for Monday’s NCAA football playoff matchup between the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs and TCU Horned Frogs as SoFi Stadium in California will play host to this intriguing National Championship decider.
TCU has claimed just one championship, back in 1938, and the anticipation for this game is palpable in Texas as they prepare to face 12.5-point betting favorites Georgia, who will look to retain their crown after a 33-18 victory over Alabama. Crimson Tide in Indiana last year.
Georgia Bulldogs vs TCU Horned Frogs Preview
????NCAA Playoff Championship Game: Georgia Bulldogs vs TCU Horned Frogs ⏱Start: Monday, January 9, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. EST ????SoFi Stadium, California ????ESPN ????Moneyline Odds: Bulldogs -435 | TCU +335
The Bulldogs enter their second straight championship game in brilliant form after sweeping all challengers this season, going 14-0, and are in the midst of a 16-game winning streak.
They have a chance to become the first team since Alabama 12 years ago to win back-to-back national titles and enter this contest as heavy favorites on the money line at -435.
Stetson Bennet at quarterback has been an outstanding performance for Georgia, earning him a spot in the Heisman Trophy race, where he finished fourth in the final voting. Ranked in the top 10 in completion percentage and passing yards, the 25-year-old has been touted as a potential NFL draft pick for next season and may be the catalyst for another Bulldogs championship, just as this one was. time last year having recorded two TDs and passed for 224 yards.
Getting down to business ????#GoDawgs | #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/6hrhnjrxqS
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) January 5, 2023
As for the horned frogs, they hope to write a fairy tale climax to their Cinderella story. Having relieved legendary coach Garry Patterson of his duties last season after going 5-7, no one would have expected TCU to be a National Championship challenger and first-year coach Sonny Dykes’ enthusiasm has proven contagious. .
There have been several instances this season where it seemed like this underdog story could be cut short, but they ended up claiming a huge upset in the Big 12, where they were widely predicted to finish seventh, and instead outscored it 13-1. Registration. They capped off their season with a flourish in the Fiesta Bowl, beating the Michigan Wolverines 13-1 with a 51-45 victory.
Georgia Bulldogs vs TCU Horned Frogs Odds
Georgia Bulldogs vs TCU Horned Frogs Prediction
As dominant as the Georgia Bulldogs are, the value certainly falls on Texas, which is priced at +335 in today’s markets.
It’s interesting to note that public betting is swinging in TCU’s favour, with 84% of the bets and 69% of the money on TCU, according to data compiled by BetOnline.
Compiled using data from Twitter geotagged with hashtags such as #GoFrogs (TCU) and #GoDawgs (Georgia), as well as more commonly used hashtags such as #NattyFrogs and #DawgNation, it indicates that TCU has led the way with the most of 28 states endorsing TCU. the underdogs compared to 22 for Georgia.
The champs, for all their attacking prowess, haven’t been able to repeat their defensive heroism from 2021/22 and TCU will take solace in the fact that the Bulldogs have given up 71 points in their last two games, including 41 against Ohio State in the Peach Bowl.
With that in mind, as well as the fact that the Horned Frogs have put up 40-plus points in seven of their games this year, we’re sure their offense could be cause for concern for Georgia, which has often struggled to defend. of dynamic pass attacks. this season.
While the champions are correctly weighted as heavy favorites, +335 is a fantastic price for a team that has consistently proven its doubters wrong this season.
The implied point total for this matchup, set at 63, could also take a hit given their high-scoring games with teams have lasted of late: Georgia has seen this pick pass in three of its last five, while TCU has repeated it. feat in two of his last three.
