No. 1Georgiawill meet No. 3TCUat SoFi Stadium for the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night. The Bulldogs are coming off of a 42-41 win over No. 4 Ohio State in the Peach Bowl semifinal, while the Horned Frogs are still surging after stunning No. 2 Michigan 51-45 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal.
Georgia is looking to become the first repeat national champions of the CFP era and the first since Alabama accomplished the feat in 2011-12. Led by Heisman Trophy finalist Stetson Bennett IV at quarterback, the Dawgs have evolved into one of the most balanced and efficient offenses in the country. The Frogs sent a player to New York as a Heisman finalist as well. Max Duggan, who didn't even start the season as TCU's No. 1 signal-caller, has emerged into one of the most dynamic players in the country.
What should you expect in Los Angeles on Monday night? Let's break down the game and make picks straight up and against the spread.
CBS Sports will be with you Monday night withlive coverage of Georgia vs. TCU in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Follow along for score updates, analysis and highlights from the national championship game.
Georgia vs. TCU: Need to know
Bulldogs have evolved outside: Heading into the playoff, Georgia's list of top pass catchers was incredibly bizarre. Its leading receiver was a tight end (Brock Bowers) with a wide receiver (Ladd McConkey) and running back (Kenny McIntosh) filling out the top three. Things became apparent in the Peach Bowl that Bennett has more weapons outside than initially thought.
AdonaiMitchell, who had been hurt for the majority of the season, had the game-winning touchdown and 43 yards receiving, Arian Smith had 129 yards and a critical fourth-quarter score, and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint had two critical catches. It's enormous that all of these receivers stepped up especially considering McConkey isn't 100% after suffering a knee injury last month and the status of monster tight end Darnell Washington is up in the air.
"We've had a musical chairs, and most people do because people have injuries at wide receiver positions but between AD, Marcus, there's been a lot there," coach Kirby Smart said this week. And I think [WR coach] Bryan McClendon and [offensive coordinator Todd] Monken have done a tremendous job of slicing and dicing those roles."
TCU's running back watch: Star rusherKendre Miller, who has rumbled for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, left the Fiesta Bowl with a knee injury. His status for the title game is still a mystery. If he can't go, seniorEmari Demercadowill likely get the first-team reps. Demercado rushed for 125 yards on 14 carries and ripped off a critical 69-yarder in the third quarter. Louisiana transferEmani Baileyhad 29 carries, 241 yards rushing and two touchdowns this season, and he will likely serve as the primary backup. Bailey posted 642 yards and eight touchdowns last season with the Ragin' Cajuns.
"I think he's feeling pretty good," coach Sonny Dykes said of Miller. "We got a pretty good (evaluation) on him the night before last when we got back from Phoenix. He was pretty sore. Woke up yesterday, felt a little bit better. I just saw him a little bit ago. He's feeling better today. So I would say he's probably questionable, would be the way I would present it. We'll see how he progresses through the week, see how he feels, and we'll try to make a determination as we get closer to game time whether we think he's going to be ready to play or not."
Battle for big plays: Wide receiver Quinten Johnston has been the go-to pass catcher for Duggan all season, and he will have a very interesting matchup Monday night against an ultra-talented Dawgs secondary.
"We're just starting to get into them today but their size on the outside stands out a lot," Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard said this week. "We know they've got some very large receivers, big catch radiuses and they can run. Anytime you have that size on the perimeter, whether it's quick game or deep balls, it's always a great matchup."
However, that secondary got torched by Ohio State's passing game and, in particular, star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. That came one game after LSU put up 502 yards passing in the SEC Championship Game.
"Ohio State made some big plays against them," Dykes said. "And I'm sure particularly in the passing game. And I'm sure they're going to work to get some of those issues addressed. And, quite frankly, they just made some contested plays, and Ohio State's got a really good group of wide receivers. And those guys really played well."
The chess match between the Frogs' receivers and Dawgs' secondary could determine the outcome of the title game.
How to watch Georgia vs. TCU live
Game: College Football Playoff National Championship
Date: Monday, Jan. 9|Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium -- Inglewood, Calif.
TV: ESPN|Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Georgia vs. TCU prediction, picks
Featured Game | Georgia Bulldogs vs. TCU Horned Frogs
Spread
Moneyline
Total
UGA
-13.5
-110
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-480
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o61.5
-110
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TCU
+13.5
-110
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+360
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u61.5
-110
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DRAW
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Barrett Sallee: TCU is 9-3-1 against the spread this season, but it hasn't faced anything like what is going to face in the title game. Georgia's speed, depth and experience will end the TCU's magical run in a game that will resemble the Dawgs' win over Tennessee earlier in the season. They will win the line of scrimmage early, translate that into a couple of first-half touchdowns and deflate the football en route to a resounding win that they will control from the outset. The public will want a shootout similar to what both of these teams produced last weekend. Sadly for the public, it will be the polar opposite.Pick: Georgia (-13) | Georgia 31, TCU 14
Tom Fornelli:I've stopped trying to figure out who TCU can and cannot beat this year, and for this game,. I'm focusing on the total. There have been eight CFP National Championships, and they've tended to be high scoring despite featuring some of the best defenses in the country. The eight games have averaged 64.5 points. While it's true that having an elite defense is often what separates the top-tier teams from the rest of the pack, once you get to this point, we've seen time and again it's the offense that wins out. I expect that will be the case Monday. The teams may not be led by future first-round NFL Draft picks, but Duggan and Bennett weren't Heisman finalists this season by accident.Pick: Over 62.5 | Georgia 38, TCU 30
Chip Patterson:On the verge of establishing a new modern dynasty, Georgia walks into this showdown with TCU boasting a talent edge and championship experience that contribute to their status as heavy favorites. But after seeing how TCU made Michigan pay for its offensive and defensive mistakes in the Fiesta Bowl, I think Smart is happy to approach this the same way an old-school Alabama team would in a matchup against a high-octane offense. Limit mistakes, play field position and let the Jimmy's and the Joe's in the trenches wear TCU down. I believe the back door will never be totally locked against Duggan and a Frogs offense capable of putting together quick scores, but I see the Dawgs hanging on for their second straight title. Picks: TCU (+13), Under 62.5| Georgia 34, TCU 27
Dennis Dodd:The biggest reason TCU can win this game ... they're playing in it! In that, the Frogs have already done something previous pretenders to the throne have not. Boise didn't get here. Neither did Cincinnati nor UCF. So, taken in a vacuum, TCU absolutely can win. Michigan underestimated it. Georgia will not, but will it matter? The Frogs are better than advertised. Scoring and coming from behind are built into their DNA. They won't be intimidated. They won't freak out down 10 in the fourth quarter. In fact, that's the way they like it, it seems. If you want an early indicator on this game, watch TCU center Steve Avila against Georgia tackle Jalen Carter. All Avila needs is a standoff. Can Georgia account for TCU's athleticism on defense? Bennett hasn't been stopped yet, at least in the last 16 games during the longest winning streak in the country.Picks: TCU +13, Over 62.5 | Georgia 34, TCU 30
Shehan Jeyarajah:TCU pulled off the biggest betting upset in college football history to beat Michigan. Why give up on the Frogs now? TCU boasts NFL talents all over the field and a receiver who will be the first off the board in April. Georgia proved fallible at times against Ohio State, especially when tight end Darnell Washington went out with an injury. The Bulldogs rely on tight end mismatches to create efficient offense, so even a limited Washington is a concern against a fundamentally sound Joe Gillespie defense. A nearly two-touchdown line is too big, especially with a gamer like Duggan moving the chains. Ride with the Frogs to cover; they have a chance to shock the world.Pick: TCU (+13) | TCU 28, Georgia 24
Adam Silverstein:Georgia being a named power and TCU still being seen as the plucky underdog has created an advantageous line. Despite the Frogs' seeming lack of pedigree, they are more than a team that surprises opponents and can put up points. They actually enter with the 19th most efficient defense in the nation, and a special teams unit that ranks better than that of the Dawgs in efficiency (49-84). TCU is a live dawgdog in this game, and getting nearly two touchdowns with a team that enters 9-3 ATS and (at least in my opinion) has a 25% chance to win the game outright is quite a value. At worst, a backdoor cover will be in play. Double-digit bowl game favorites are 2-5 ATS this season, and national title game favorites of 5+ points are 4-11 ATS since 1999. Pick: TCU (+13) | Georgia 37, TCU 30
Jack Crosby:I've enjoyed TCU's run to the CFP National Championship as much as anyone. Sure, the Frogs are a Power Five team, but they're a Cinderella story in the sense they're coming off a 5-7 season, fired their longtime coach and were picked to finish seventh in the Big 12 preseason media poll. Dykes has led this team on a truly remarkable run, and while TCU may keep it close for a while, Georgia will pull away in the second half as it dominates the battles in the trenches. This punishing Georgia squad will wear down the Frogs, slowly but surely, and continue building its dynasty as Smart secures his second consecutive national title all while the Dawgs cover the massive spread.Pick: Georgia (-13) | Georgia 45, TCU 28
Ben Kercheval:There are a dozen ways to dissect this game, but I'll K.I.S.S. Georgia has been college football's best team over the course of the season. In the biggest games against the most difficult opponents, the Bulldogs have shown time and again why they're just on another rung above everyone else. TCU has the offensive weapons to attack Georgia's pass defense, but I have a hard time imagining the Dawgs defensive line being a non-factor for the second straight game. Points will be scored, but not quite at the clip we saw in the semifinals. I'll sell high on the Frogs after picking them in the Fiesta Bowl and even grant Georgia a front door cover.Pick: Georgia (-13), Over 62.5| Georgia 41, TCU 27
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FAQs
What is the spread on the TCU Georgia football game? ›
TCU vs. Georgia spread: Bulldogs -13. TCU vs. Georgia over/under: 63 points.
What are the odds for TCU to win the national championship? ›Per Sports Reference, the Horned Frogs were an extreme long shot for the National Title this season, at +23000 (230-to-1).
What are the odds for Georgia to win the national championship? ›Predictably, Georgia opened as the betting favorite to win the 2023 national championship. The Bulldogs are listed at +300 at BetMGM, ahead of Ohio State (+600), Alabama (+700) and USC (+700).
Who will win the national championship 2023? ›Georgia, last year's national champion, beat out Ohio State, and TCU won against Michigan. On Jan. 9, Georgia became the 2023 college football national champion team, beating out TCU in a historic 65-7 win.
How much will Mattress Mack win if TCU wins? ›Georgia's 65 points were the most ever scored in a national championship game and the margin of victory the largest in bowl game history. It was a king-sized beatdown, which seems fitting given that Mattress Mack—Houston mattress mogul and sports' most infamous whale—had $3 million riding on the Horned Frogs to win.
Did Georgia win the national championship 2023? ›Georgia defeated TCU 65-7 to win the 2023 College Football Playoff national championship.
Who is TCU's biggest rival? ›| First meeting | October 27, 1899 Tie, 0–0 |
| Latest meeting | November 19, 2022 TCU, 29–28 |
| Next meeting | 2023 |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Meetings total | 118 |
'Riff Ram Bah Zoo' may sound more like a Dr. Seuss poem than a rallying cry, but it is a beloved tradition for the Frogs. Give 'em Hell, TCU.
What is TCU ranked nationally? ›Texas Christian University's ranking in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #89. Its tuition and fees are $53,980. Texas Christian University is the biggest religious university associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is open to students of any faith.
What does plus 900 odds mean? ›What does +700 mean in betting: If a team is +700 in a game, it means they are underdogs with 7/1 odds of winning. A $100 winning bet would pay out $700. What does +900 mean in betting: If you wager on a team at +900 you would win $900 for every $100 you bet.
What does plus 300 odds mean? ›
A bet at +300 signifies $300 is won for every $100 in wagers. As mentioned in the money line section, this is only a way of expressing the odds and does not mean that $100 is the minimum bet requirement (the minimum straight wager amount is $1).
Where is 2023 national championship? ›The 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship was a college football bowl game played on January 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
What is the lowest seed to win the national championship? ›They beat the Michigan Wolverines in the college football semi-final on December 31, 2022, 51–45. They played the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 9, 2023, with the Bulldogs coming out victorious 65–7 to win their second title in a row.
What is the highest seeded team to win a national championship? ›In 1985, Villanova won the national title in men's basketball. As the No. 8 seed, Kentucky defeated Dayton, Michigan, Maryland, North Carolina, Memphis State, and Georgetown to win the championship. The team of is the highest-seeded champion of the NCAA Tournament.
Who does Mattress Mack want to win? ›Mattress Mack's record-breaking $75 million payout on a wager that the Houston Astros would win the World Series will cost Caesars and Penn Entertainment big.
Who bet 3.1 million on TCU? ›Houston-based furniture store owner Jim McIngvale, lovingly known as Mattress Mack, has placed a nearly $3.1 million bet on the TCU Horned Frogs to win the 2023 College Football National Championship.
What were the odds of the Mattress Mack bet? ›"Mattress Mack" made his bet for the single-biggest payout in legal sports wagering history in Louisiana, traveling to Lake Charles in May to place $3 million at 10-to-1 odds on the Houston Astros to win the World Series on the Caesars Sportsbook app for a $30 million payout, Gaming Commission Chairman Ronnie Johns ...
Who is winning between TCU and Georgia? ›| TAR | YDS |
|---|---|
| 1 | 8 |
Georgia Bulldogs repeat as college football's national champion, thrashing TCU. Xavier Truss of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with teammates after his team's first touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
What is the most lopsided national championship game? ›
Georgia's 65-7 win over TCU in the College Football Playoff National Championship marked the most lopsided point differential for a bowl game in FBS history, besting the previous mark of 56 that LSU tied with its 63-7 win over Purdue in this year's Citrus Bowl.
What is the most fierce rivalry in football? ›El Clásico is perhaps the most famous rivalry in the world. Everyone knows that El Clásico stands for the derby between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The first match between those two clubs was in 1902, when Real Madrid was still called Madrid CF.
Is TCU very religious? ›More than 60 religious traditions are represented on our campus, where students are encouraged to explore, practice or develop their faith. We support the spiritual and ethical life of each member of the TCU community.
What religious denomination is TCU? ›The University is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a denomination that values "true community, deep spirituality and a passion for justice".
What is Tcus catch phrase? ›Riff, Ram, Bah, Zoo!
Why did TCU choose Horned Frogs? ›How Did TCU Become the Horned Frogs? The answer goes way back to 1897, when the yearbook staff of the then-named AddRan Christian University was looking to name its annual. Football began at the university the year before, and legend has it that the football field was covered in the small-but-mighty horned lizards.
What do TCU fans chant? ›Give 'em Hell, TCU."
What is the hardest university to get into nationally and state? ›Harvard ranked as the toughest school in the country to get into. It has a 5% acceptance rate, according to Niche. Stanford came in second on the list— with an acceptance rate of 5% as well. However, it accepts students with slightly lower test scores, Niche says.
What school is TCU known for? ›U.S. News & World Report ranked Texas Christian University a top 100 national university for the 13th consecutive year, coming in at No. 89 for 2022's Best National Universities. TCU's engineering, business and nursing programs are each ranked in the top 100, as did the university as a Best College for Veterans.
Is TCU a Tier 1? ›Texas Christian University is a Tier 1 University with higher research activity and rated as having a more selective admissions process.
What happens if you bet $100 on a 140 money line? ›
Gamblers placing $100 down on a +140 line have the chance to win a total of $140. They also receive the original $100 to place the bet. If $100 is put on a +140 line and it's a loss, no money goes back to the player.
How much do I win if I bet $100 on odds? ›For example: 2/1 odds means you'll win $2 for every $1 you bet. A $100 bet at 2/1 odds would win $200, for a total payout of $300.
What does +5000 mean in odds? ›Positive moneyline: +145, +220, or anything similar
Higher numbers like +400, +500, +5000, etc. represent how much of an underdog the team is in the game. The higher the number the more likely the team is expected to lose in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
The Redskins are even heavier underdogs and are +400 on the moneyline. This means if you bet $100 you would profit $400.
Is it better to bet favorites or underdogs? ›Underdogs are less likely to win but will result in a higher payout if they do. The value in betting on the underdog is all about noticing when the public are getting too excited about one side of a bet, the favorite. This means that the odds or the points on the underdog will go up, making them a more valuable bet.
What do odds of +1500 mean? ›If the odds are plus (+), that amount of money would be earned on a successful $100 wager. (e.g. +150 means you make $150 on a $100 wager.) Money line is also sometimes referred to as “American Odds.” The standard (and often implied) number is –110, meaning a successful bet of $110 would net $100 profit.
How is the location of the national championship decided? ›The site of the College Football Playoff National Championship is determined through a negotiation process, much like the Super Bowl location. Any city that demonstrates necessary facilities, transportation and other factors can be considered to host the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Where will the NFC championship game take place? ›| First played | 1971 (1970 season) |
| Trophy | George Halas Trophy |
| Recent and upcoming games | |
| 2021 season | |
|---|---|
| SoFi Stadium Los Angeles, California January 30, 2022 San Francisco 49ers 17 Los Angeles Rams 20 | |
2021 – Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. 2022 – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. 2023 – SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 2024 – NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Has a 4 seed ever beat a 1 seed? ›In 1997, No. 4 seed Arizona became the first team in the 64, or 68, team NCAA tournament format to defeat three No. 1 seeds en route to winning the national championship.
What is the lowest seed to win the NCAA Final Four? ›
Here's the TL/DR version of some men's March Madness seed history: 8 is the lowest seed to win men's March Madness (Villanova in 1985) 11 is the lowest seed to make the men's Final Four (George Mason 2006; LSU 1986; VCU 2011; Loyola Chicago 2018; UCLA 2021)
Has a 16 seed ever beat a 1 seed? ›UMBC is the only No. 16 seed to ever beat a No. 1 seed since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. Entering the 2022 tournament, No.
Has Georgia ever won a national championship? ›National championships. Georgia has been selected eight times (1920, 1927, 1942, 1946, 1968, 1980, 2021, 2022) as national champions from NCAA-designated major selectors. Georgia claims four national championships (1942, 1980, 2021, and 2022).
Who owns TCU? ›It is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The campus is located on 272 acres (110 ha) about 3 miles (5 km) from downtown Fort Worth. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ.
How many times has TCU made it to the national championship? ›TCU has one national title to its credit from 1938. The Horned Frogs would be the first Big 12 team to win the CFP and the first from the conference to win a national title in football since Texas in 2005.
Has any team won 3 national championships in a row? ›A number of teams – notably Minnesota in the 1930s and Army in the 1940s – claimed threepeats as awarded by other polls. No team has ever won three straight titles in the AP poll, the coaches' poll, the Bowl Championship Series or the College Football Playoff.
Has a 12 seed ever beat a 5 seed? ›There have been 52 upsets by 12-seeds since the NCAA tournament field expanded in 1985. Going into 2022, the lower seed was 51-93, equating to a 35.42 win percentage. Here are all of the times a 12 seed has knocked off a 5 seed. Missouri def.
Has a 10 seed ever beat a 1 seed? ›In 2016, the Orange became the first No. 10 seed to reach the Final Four since the tournament expanded to 64 teams, with its 68-62 victory against No. 1 seed Virginia.
What is the spread for the SEC championship? ›Georgia vs. LSU spread: Bulldogs -17. Georgia vs. LSU over/under: 52 points. Georgia vs. LSU money line: Bulldogs -900, Tigers +600.
What's the spread on Tennessee Georgia? ›| Spread | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee11-2 | +8.5 Point Spread % of Bets 56% % of Money 83% TENN +8.5 Play Now | Play Now |
| Georgia15-0 | -8.5 Point Spread % of Bets 56% % of Money 83% TENN +8.5 Play Now |
What's the point spread on Texas and TCU? ›
Texas vs. TCU spread: Texas -5.5. Texas vs. TCU over-under: 125.5 points.
What's the spread on Texas and TCU? ›| Spread | |
|---|---|
| Texas Christian | +8.5 |
| Texas | -8.5 |
Georgia is a heavy favorite in the 2022 SEC Championship Game.
What is the spread on South Carolina and Georgia? ›South Carolina spread: Georgia -25. Georgia vs. South Carolina over/under: 55 points.
What is +3 on the spread? ›The point spread is the expected final score difference between two teams. It is represented as both a negative and positive number; if the spread is 3 points, you'll see that as both -3 and +3. The team that is the favorite to win gets the minus-number (-3); the underdog gets the plus-number (+3).
What happens if Georgia loses to Tennessee? ›It's likely it would go undefeated with a win over Tennessee, but nothing is certain in college football. Now if Georgia loses, Tennessee would go to the SEC Championship game and play Alabama.
Who will win tn vs ga? ›ESPN: Georgia has a 74.5% chance to win
The site gives Tennessee a 25.5% shot to pick up the victory.
The Longhorns are currently listed as 7.5-point favorites in the latest Texas vs. TCU odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 65.5.
What is the highest point spread in college football? ›The most points scored by a single team, and the most lopsided final score in college football history, occurred on October 7, 1916 when Georgia Tech beat Cumberland 222–0.
Has TCU ever won a national championship in football? ›...
| TCU Horned Frogs football | |
|---|---|
| Unclaimed national titles | 1 (2010) |
| National finalist | 2 (2010)(2022) |
Is it hard to get into TCU as a transfer? ›
TCU accepts 57.8% transfer applicants, which is competitive. To have a shot at transferring into TCU, you should have a current GPA of at least 3.64 - ideally you're GPA will be around 3.79. In addition, you will need to submit standardized test scores.
What is TCU best known for? ›U.S. News & World Report ranked Texas Christian University a top 100 national university for the 13th consecutive year, coming in at No. 89 for 2022's Best National Universities. TCU's engineering, business and nursing programs are each ranked in the top 100, as did the university as a Best College for Veterans.