#3 TCU VS. #1 GEORGIA – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ESPN]

First off, epic College Football Semifinals all-around ever since it’s very existence. Usually, I’m into only one of the semifinals and that’s about it. From start to finish, I was tuned from kickoff of the first game to the end of the last game. TCU started out hot, surprising the nation before Michigan woke up to make the second half game exciting to watch. Georgia and Ohio State was one of the best playoff games to watch in the CFP era. I nearly had them over the Georgia-Oklahoma Rose Bowl game. At the end, both TCU and Georgia triumphed to clash in what could be hopefully the most interesting National Championship at SoFi Stadium.

TCU’S PATH

The Horned Frogs had absolutely no business being here. Coach Sonny Dykes took over after Gary Patterson’s two-decade tenure as the head coach, but even he never expected this type of outcome this season. Dykes was on the TCU before, but this is his first year as the head coach there after being at SMU for four seasons. Yet, he’s familiar with the team, players, and program along with a few transfers that joined. The Big 12 seemed to have belonged to Baylor or Oklahoma State in 2022, but they dropped off just enough to where Texas, Kansas State, and TCU could rise and take the conference. TCU took the most advantage and ran through the schedule while overcoming adversity, criticism, and overwhelming odds to finish undefeated in the regular season. They did just enough in the Big 12 championship game to get to the playoffs and defeat Michigan in the semis. Quarterback Max Duggan deserves most of the credit for carrying this team to the very end of the 2022-’23 season and hope he can end his career with a victory in Los Angeles

GEORGIA’S PATH

Georgia came into the season with mostly new players on defense and a few on offense. But this squad played much better than the 2021 team and scored in bunches with plenty of experience and talent pooled into one team surrounding Stetson Bennett. They had a couple of hiccups along the way, but it didn’t stop them from playing like the best team in the nation. They all played a part in their second straight undefeated regular season run, including winning the SEC title game and the semifinals in dramatic fashion over Ohio State. I think Stetson Bennett deserves all the praise and a statue of him at the university after he’s done. He dealt with plenty of criticism in 2020 after the loss to Alabama and silenced the critics next year with a championship crown against that same team. His story will be talked about for decades whether they win or lose this National Championship.

THE MATCHUP

It’s kind of refreshing seeing new faces in the championship that’s not Alabama or Clemson. Even though Georgia makes their second straight appearance and third in the last six seasons, it’s still refreshing to see a different team. Georgia knows the ball will go through Stetson Bennett and he’ll make the plays with his arm or feet. The Horned Frogs must be aware of wideouts down field. TCU was the second Big 12 team to make the playoff, but they showed that they were more formidable to make a run at the National Championship. They are also the first Big 12 team and the final different Power 5 conference team to appear in the Natty in the playoff era. Everything will go through Max Duggan, even if running back Kendre Miller isn’t in the lineup. Duggan did everything possible to put this team in winning position. He might be the next Vince Young but a Fort Worth version of him. While the Bulldogs are heavily favored, the Horned Frogs proved to not be underestimated. If they can outplay Texas, Kansas State in the regular season, and Michigan in the semis, they could even outplay Georgia. However, Georgia’s a bit too formidable for TCU to handle. It’ll probably take four quarters, but eventually they will wear out TCU for the victory. But don’t be surprised if TCU comes through for the upset though. They are the hardest out of any team in college football.

MY PICK: GEORGIA