CFP National Championship Preview and Picks
Monday’s College Football National Championship is a David v Goliath tale of mammoth proportions. Georgia is slowly overtaking Alabama as the class of college football. TCU has burst onto the scene with an electrifying offense led by a quarterback loved by all. The last time we saw an underdog like this make the National Championship, Ohio State in 2015, they shocked the world and won it. The last time we have seen a repeat champion was 2011–2012 Alabama. Both programs have chances at making history, so who is going to be lifting the trophy on Monday night?
THE CASE FOR GEORGIA:
Georgia has been the most dominant team in football for over a year now. The Bulldogs went undefeated this year, in large part due to their defense. Kirby Smart is a defensive minded master at head coach, and has his defense ready to play every single time they step out onto the field. The offense can put up elite numbers as well, as Heisman finalist Stetson Bennet has taken a massive step in his development. Kenny Mcintosh averaged 5.5 yards per carry as the lead back, and the passing attack is led by their superstar tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers caught 56 balls for 790 yards and 6 touchdowns. As long as Georgia plays like they have for the whole season, they have a pretty good shot at winning back to back titles.
THE CASE FOR TCU:
What a rollercoaster ride it has been in Fort Worth this year. In the offseason, TCU fired longtime head coach Gary Patterson, and hired former SMU coach Sonny Dykes. The Horned Frogs have surprised everyone, coming out of nowhere with a record of 13–1. Even with a loss in the Big 12 Championship game, TCU was given the three seed and upset Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl. They are known for their high powered offense, led by their media darling quarterback, Max Duggan. After starting for three years, Dykes benched Duggan to start the year. In the first game of the year, Freshman Chandler Morris went down with an injury, and Duggan took over from there. They have a first round wide receiver in Quentin Johnson, and it looks like their star running back Kendre Miller is going to play Monday night. Georgia is a similar team to Michigan, which makes it a little bit easier for TCU to game plan for the Bulldogs. TCU’s 3–3–5 defense needs to be able to slow down the Georgia defense for the Cinderella run to continue.
PREDICTIONS:
It may not be the sensible thing to do, but I just do not think I can pick against TCU at this point. I have backed them all year, and in the one game I didn’t, they overpowered a Michigan team that was favored to win. Against my better judgment, I have the Horned Frogs winning on Monday night. The team just does not quit, and I expect them to fight every single play when they face off against the number one team in the country.
TCU 35, Georgia 31
