The first College Football Playoff semifinal game is between the TCU Horned Frogs and Michigan Wolverines in the Fiesta Bowl. One of these teams will play the Georgia Bulldogs or Ohio State Buckeyes for the College Football Playoff National Championship. We have our Michigan vs. TCU predictions and best bets for the Fiesta Bowl on New Yearβs Eve.
After losing in the Big 12 Championship Game, TCU had to hold their breath and hope the committee did not do anything silly. There was a second where everyone believed the CFP committee was going to snub TCU and select Alabama.
πππππππππ ππππ: The 2022 @CFBPlayoff Semifinal at the @vrbo #FiestaBowl will feature the 1st-ever meeting between No. 2 @UMichFootball and No. 3 @TCUFootball on New Yearβs Eve!
ποΈ @StateFarmStdm
β° 2 pm MST
ποΈ https://t.co/7eHPTJsOIu
πΊ @espn pic.twitter.com/FjdPL7Zvov— Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) December 4, 2022
via@Fiesta_Bowl
Smarter heads prevailed and the right team made it to the playoffs. The Horned Frogs are the third seed, while the Ohio State Buckeyes sneaked in because of USCβs loss in the Pac-12 Championship Game. TCU rightfully deserved their place in the Fiesta Bowl following a 12-1 season.
The only loss for the Horned Frogs was a close call in overtime of the Big 12 Championship Game versus Kansas State. In a game that could have gone in either direction, the Wildcats outlasted TCU for a 31-28 win.
Michigan returns to the College Football Playoff a year after losing in the semifinals to the Georgia Bulldogs. They had another successful season under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines repeated as Big Ten champs and a win in The Game, this time at the Horseshoe over the Buckeyes.
Head below for our Michigan vs. TCU best bets and Fiesta Bowl predictions in the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinals on December 31, 2022.
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TCU Horned Frogs (3) vs. Michigan Wolverines (2) Live Betting Odds:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCU Horned Frogs | +7.5 (-110) | +235 | Over 58.5 (-110) |
| Michigan Wolverines | -7.5 (-110) | -285 | Under 58.5 (-110) |
| Team Data | TCU Horned Frogs | Michigan Wolverines |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 12-1 | 13-0 |
| ATS Record | 9-3-1 | 8-4-1 |
| Away/Home Record | NEUTRAL | NEUTRAL |
| ATS Away/Home | NEUTRAL | NEUTRAL |
| Yards Per Game | 473.0 | 453.5 |
| Yards Against Per Game | 384.6 | 277.1 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 273.0 | 210.5 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 200.0 | 243.0 |
TCU vs. Michigan Predictions
Michigan was just happy to get to the College Football Playoff last year. It seemed like a mission accomplished after beating Ohio State and Iowa for the Big Ten Championship. There is a different feeling in the air this year.
The Wolverines are going to win the National Championship after getting blasted by Georgia on New Yearβs Eve in 2021. TCU might be in the same position as Michigan was at this time a year ago. Are the Horned Frogs just happy to be here at the Fiesta Bowl?
Max Duggan Second In Heisman Trophy Voting
The TCU senior quarterback was only behind Caleb Williams in Heisman voting in New York. Despite missing out on college footballβs highest individual honor, Max Duggan can lead his team to a college football championship.
Duggan is going into the Fiesta Bowl feeling confident. He has passed for 3,321 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 64.9% completions. Duggan can also take off with his legs, gaining 404 yards and 6 touchdowns on 3.6 yards per attempt.
TCU quarterback Max Duggan is now the first player this season to have a 60-yard passing touchdown and a 60-yard rushing touchdown in the same game πΈpic.twitter.com/MxhOnOTRPO
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 1, 2022
via@247Sports
As a team, the Horned Frogs have scored 40.3 points and 473 yards of offense per game. Moving the ball in the Big 12 and against this Michigan defense is a different assignment altogether, though.
Michigan boasts the third-best defense in college football. They have allowed 277.1 yards per game and 13.4 points per game. Duggan will not go down quietly, but this Michigan defense is the biggest and fastest heβs seen in 2022.
Donovan Edwards Takes Control
Michigan will not have the two-headed monster of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. With how Edwards is running, it does not matter. Edwards can do it all without his teammate.
Donovan Edwards⦠WOAH!
Can they catch him? β¦ NO!
Donovan Edwards again – 85 yards The DONβ¦
2 huge touchdowns and the Wolverines go up 44-23 pic.twitter.com/3XrQ5RdY6I
— James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) December 23, 2022
via@JamesYoder
The native of West Bloomfield has run for 872 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 7.5 yards per attempt. Edwards is more than capable of carrying the load without Corum taking carries away from him.
This balanced Michigan offense is going to make it tough on TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. J.J. McCarthy will spread the ball around while the defense focuses on Edwards. McCarthy has been steady, with 20 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 65.3% completions.
TCU vs. Michigan Betting Pick:
Georgia and Michigan are the most well-balanced teams left this season. TCU has a good offense with Duggan, but they are not stopping Edwards and McCarthy. The Horned Frogs are 74th in team defense, allowing 384.6 yards per game.
TCU has not been perfect in the secondary this season. Theyβre 83rd in pass defense, whereas Michigan is 22nd. The run-stoppers up front are likely not physical enough to deal with an elite Michigan offensive line.
Michiganβs offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for the best in college football. They will carve out paths against the 64th run defense in the FBS. Edwards will pop some big runs on Saturday.
Expect Michigan to pull away to win and cover in the Fiesta Bowl. We like a Fiesta Bowl prediction of 38-24 on New Yearβs Eve.
