It all comes down to this as Georgia and TCU are set to square off in Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Georgia is the defending national champion in college football and the consensus No. -Peach Bowl final.
Following: College Football Playoff National Title Game Schedule for Georgia vs. TCU
TCU, unranked in the preseason and playing under freshman head coach Sonny Dykes, has consistently surprised everyone all season with a comeback winning streak and a powerful offense, beating Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl semi-final.
Now the Bulldogs are seeking their second consecutive national title and their third since 1980, and the Horned Frogs their first since 1938.
Here are your latest updates and stories from the stages of the College Football Playoff National Championship game this week.
TCU vs. Georgia College Football Playoff Prediction, Preview
The line is historic. No national championship game in college football’s playoff era has opened with such a wide gap. Georgia enters the game as a 13-point favorite, according to SI Sportsbook lines.
SECOND. SECOND. No conference has performed better in the playoffs since its inception, winning five of eight national championships. Ohio State won one and Clemson won two. TCU’s trip to the CFP title game marks the Big 12’s first appearance, and this league’s first since 2009.
Following: Georgia vs TCU College Football Playoff Picks, Predictions
TCU health issues. Namely around running back Kendre Miller, who Sonny Dykes says is questionable for the game with a knee injury. So far the plan is that he will be good to go. Miller rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for over 100 yards in seven games.
Updates: TCU star Kendre Miller questionable for CFP title game
Georgia’s health issues. Star tight end Darnell Washington left the Peach Bowl victory with an ankle problem and was unable to return to the game. Exact information is not known, but Kirby Smart said he is confident Washington will be ready. One of the best blocking ends in college football, his presence is crucial to Georgia’s offensive success, which depends in part on lining up two tight ends at the same time.
Related: Where things stand for Georgia’s Darnell Washington amid injury
Quentin Johnston against Georgia. The Bulldogs’ elite defense had no response to Ohio State’s passing offense, which rushed for more than 300 yards with four touchdowns. Johnston is one of the best receivers in the nation and is coming off a 163-yard, 1-touchdown effort against Michigan in the semifinals.
Georgia on the line. For the Horned Frogs to have any chance of keeping their offense on schedule, they’ll need to contain the Bulldogs’ expert inside passing rush, led by consensus top-5 draft pick Jalen Carter at defensive tackle. His stats don’t jump off the page, but Carter is a top-notch stopper and can disrupt the pass from the inside like few others. TCU will have to counter his brilliance and physique up front.
TCU Betting Trends. The Horned Frogs are 3-0 underdogs this season, including wins over OU, Michigan and Texas. Additionally, TCU is 6-1 in games decided by 8 points or less. TCU is 4-0 ATS in its last four non-conference games. Under is 4-0 in TCU’s last four after an ATS win.
Georgia Betting Trends. The Bulldogs are 6-2 ATS in neutral-site games and 5-0 ATS when favored by 20 points or less and 3-1 ATS against ranked opponents. Georgia is 4-0 ATS in its last 4 non-conference games and the most is 4-1 in its last 5 games after a straight win.
Red zone. Georgia was No. 1 in college football in playing offense in all 20 opponents, finishing with a .972 regular season point percentage. Defensively, TCU allows teams to convert in the red zone 81.25% of the time. Georgia is 2nd nationally in defense, keeping teams just 66.7% in the red zone. TCU is 38th overall, converting 87% of the time on offense.
When is the game? Georgia and TCU will meet on Monday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN Network and live on fuboTV (try it for free).
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