[ad_1]
The College Football Playoffs are here as the sport launches into 2022 with two fascinating semi-final clashes. The first, undefeated No. 2 Battle of Michigan No. 3 TCU is the program that will make his first CFP appearance at 4:00 PM ET on ESPN. In the second game, undefeated No. 1 Georgia will face his upset No. 4 Ohio State at 8 p.m. The winner will play at the National Championships in Los Angeles on Monday, January 9th.
Who will win the playoff semi-finals? Quartet sports illustrated College football writers preview each game, predict scores and pick the game MVP.
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State
Pat Forde: Georgia, 35; Ohio, 21
If the Buckeyes struggle to hold up in the second half against a Michigan power, what are they going to do here? , Ohio State failed a test that required him to study for a year for that matter against Wolverine.The Buckeyes have five weeks to get better in areas where it’s not easy. If they’re going to pull this off, they need their best players to play like superstars. Specifically, quarterback CJ Stroud and receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. It’s certainly possible, highlighted by the roast the Georgia secondary got from his LSU in his SEC Championship game. But the Ohio State defense also needs to avoid a clear misstep against Michigan. Because Georgia can confuse the Buckeyes with misdirection and eye candy to cause big plays in the pass game and perimeter and finish them off between tackles. with a power running attack.
The game MVPs chosen by Forde are: Stetson Bennett. The Georgia quarterback is a master distributor of the ball, who can also play with his feet. He managed to have another in a series of big games at the big spot.
Ross DeLanger: Georgia, 31, Ohio, 20
The Bulldogs are a more complete team than the team that won every game last season. Sure, their defense is solid as usual, but QB Stetson Bennett and his offense compiled one of the best offensive seasons in the country. 17 spots better than the season. This season he has scored 30 or more points in all but three games, and in five games he has scored 45. Don’t sleep on bulldog attacks. I don’t think the Buckeyes are taking a nap defensively, but expect Kirby Smart’s defense to swallow Ohio State’s offense at Notre Dame, Northwestern, Michigan. He scored more than 23 points in a match against ).
The game MVPs chosen by DeLanger are: Georgia TE Brock Bowers. Bowers will add his 3 rushing touchdowns and his 6 TD catches on his way to MVP honors this year.
Both Bennett and Bowers are among the contenders for the Peach Bowl MVP.
Jordan Prather/USA TODAY Sports
Richard Johnson: Georgia, 34; Ohio, 30
The Buckeyes offense, led by receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., will put the Dogues on defense like they haven’t done yet this season. But when Stetson Bennett beats his CJ Stroud, Georgia’s offense will surprisingly come out on top thanks to the help of his matchup nightmare tight end.
Here are Johnson’s game MVP picks: Georgia TE Brock Bowers
John Garcia: Georgia, 34; Ohio, 24
Whether from a casual HR perspective or a more specific research-based perspective, the more games I read, the more I keep coming back to Georgia. It might round out the best campaigns compared to the offensive prowess approaching the dominant nature of the Bulldog’s defense. In the Buckeyes discussion, I’m playing hypothetically rather than pure matchup. If Ohio State can establish a run against his proud UGA front, it could open up a passing game. With CJ Stroud using his legs and Ryan Day’s staff moving his pockets mobile, perhaps Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka his Egbuka, and a troop of talented wide receivers will be his pairings with the Bulldogs’ secondary. You can win 1 match.
On the defending champions front, it’s the opposite, and Georgia can easily adapt to the nature of the game. You can dominate possession times and combine run and short pass games to keep the ball away from Stroud and reduce possessions, creating a fresher defense to attack the Buckeyes in the process. Even in the case of the shootout, Georgia has the best tight end in the country in his 2022, with his room and the ability to function offensively more freely with a suddenly healthy wide-receiver group available for the first time since being demolished. showed. Season opener in Oregon. Familiarity seems to be the best formula for slowing down Stetson Bennett & Co. Selected SEC teams have come close over the years compared to non-conference opponents who have encountered Georgia’s power and aggression on both sides of the ball.
The last non-SEC program to beat the Bulldogs was “We’re Back!” Texas Longhorns and Sam Ehlinger are back on his January 1, 2019.
Garcia’s game MVP picks are: Georgia’s RB Kenny McIntosh will make big plays on the ground and in the air against an OSU defense that is vulnerable to power schemes, as Ohio State focuses its defense on Brock Bowers. The last time we saw the Buckeyes, Michigan ran over 250 yards without a leadback.
Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU
Ford: Michigan 38, TCU 28
The crux of the matter is whether the horned toad can maintain enough defenses to give the attack a chance to win. 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 scrimmage plays of 20+ yards allowed (69). it was done. This is bad against opponents who not only have their newfound explosive power (Donovan Edwards on the ground, multiple receivers in the air), but also the mentality of patiently pushing 5-yard runs all day. It’s a combination.
Max Duggan can pass some plays and will probably do some running as well. Sure, but it’s hard to do that against the third rush defense in the country. You can arrive with relative confidence that your game plan will likely be good enough to carry you through the day.
The game MVPs chosen by Forde are: Donovan Edwards. The Michigan running back is on fire at the end of the season, and that probably won’t stop against TCU.
Delanger: Michigan 37, TCU 31
Like Georgia, Michigan feels better than the teams that made it to the CFP last season. The Wolverines play a more traditional offensive game that combines robust and talented defense. But can they corral the comeback kids?QB Max Duggan and his TCU have put together one of his most unexpected and magical seasons in recent college football history. rice field. Coach Sonny Dykes and his Horned Frogs have six wins this season and his double-digit numbers in the second half. The fairy tale comes to an end in Phoenix, where the Big 12 regular season champion faces the toughest test of the year. The Wolverines roll without RB Blake Colm.
The game MVPs chosen by DeLanger are: QB JJ McCarthy of Michigan. Against TCU, McCarthy remains one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country. He threw just three picks to go with 20 touchdowns this year.
Both Duggan’s and McCarthy’s mobility can be important in a matchup. AB, Michigan’s QB tries to avoid tackles.
Han Sunpung/USA TODAY Network
Johnson: Michigan 31, TCU 20
Ultimately, I think the Michigan running game is too intense. The Wolverines have other capable backs in their stable, but expect a ton of Donovan Edwards, but his line of Joe Moore Award-winning offensives will be the one thing that sets him apart .
Here are Johnson’s game MVP picks: Edwards
Garcia: Michigan 37, TCU 31
While the other semifinals have more run in my timeline, it’s a battle of elite mascots playing in more traditional college football entertainment. Led by an interesting mobile quarterback who has demonstrated. TCU Heisman finalist Max Duggan may rush to lead his team before it’s all said and done. He’s a true dual-threat approach that Michigan’s dominant defense has never had to fight.Duggan’s creativity and grit should help keep his Frogs horned, but Wolverine’s offense shows more balance and control of his ball. Even without Colm, UM breaks out he poses a lot of problems for the defense against star Donovan Edwards. That combination should pave the way for JJ McCarthy and his one of the most distributed and efficient passing attacks in the country.
Naturally, in a game that expects a lot of points, it will be a defensive move that will change the direction of the outcome. This would have helped Michigan’s secondary, perhaps even his true freshman Will Johnson, create a second-half splash to keep the favorites from slowing and regaining the ball for their game-winning drive. This is where you can either help out or act as a catalyst to a time-consuming possession to stop TCU’s Cinderella Ride. One last time.
Garcia’s game MVP picks are: McCarthy has shown plenty of inspiration when taking over in 2022, but this will be his most complete effort to date, both as a passer and runner.
[ad_2]
Source link
