CFP National Championship: Georgia vs TCU 1/9/23 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Georgia Bulldogs and TCU Horned Frogs clash Monday night in the college football National Championship from SoFi Stadium. TCU is 13-1 overall this year. The Frogs managed to beat Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl in their last outing. As for Georgia, they’re 14-0 after a one-point victory over Ohio State in the Peach Bowl. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place. 

TCU only took one loss this year, a 31-28 OT affair versus Kansas State on December 3. Outside of that the Frogs beat Colorado, Tarleton State, SMU, Oklahoma, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Texas, Baylor, Iowa State and Michigan. 

In the Fiesta Bowl on January 31, the Frogs benefitted from a goal-line fumble in the first half and entered the break ahead 21-6. In the second half, TCU was outscored 39-30 but still hung on for the win 51-45. Max Duggan put up 225 yards with two touchdowns and two picks. Quentin Johnston had six catches for 163 yards and a TD. 

Over on the Georgia side, it’s been a perfect run so far. The Bulldogs have beaten Oregon, Samford, South Carolina, Kent State, Missouri, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, LSU and Ohio State. 

In the Peach Bowl versus Ohio State on New Year’s Day, the Bulldogs went into the fourth quarter down 38-24. Georgia outscored the Buckeyes 18-3 from there and won the comeback 42-41. QB Stetson Bennett put up 398 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Arian Smith had three catches for 129 yards and a score. 

The Frogs are 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games and 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 overall. TCU is 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine after an ATS win. 

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last five Monday games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 bowl games. Georgia is 15-7 ATS in their last 22 neutral-site games. 

PICK: I’ll probably stick with TCU here. The Frogs had a nice effort against Michigan in their Fiesta Bowl appearance—the first half was certainly better than the second, though. TCU ended up with 488 total yards, 19 first downs and 8-of-16 on third-down conversions. The three turnovers and 528 yards allowed didn’t help. That said, it was a nice rebound effort after the Kansas State loss. 

As for Georgia, they were able to dispatch a pesky Ohio State team to keep the unbeaten streak alive. The Bulldogs were just 2-of-10 on third downs though, despite 533 total yards. I like Georgia to post another thriller in this one, with TCU powering out the cover. Should be a great game.