Before we ring in the New Year, it is time for the college football playoffs. The first game on New Year's Eve will feature the #3 TCU Horned Frogs battling the #2 Michigan Wolverines at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. TCU, from the Big 12, comes into this game with a record of 12-1 after having their unblemished record ruined by Kansas State in overtime in the Big 12 Championship game. Michigan, out of the Big Ten, comes into this matchup with a perfect 13-0 record after dismantling Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game. The Wolverines come into this matchup ranked second in the country while the Horned Frogs come in 3rd in the country. The opening kickoff is slated for 4:00pm EST.
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It has been a wild first season under new head coach Sonny Dykes for the TCU Horned Frogs. The team started the season unranked and with Chandler Morris at quarterback. By game two, Max Duggan was the starting quarterback and would go on to a near Heisman season. TCU would defeat the first five ranked teams they faced on their way to the Big 12 title game. Each week the Horned Frogs seemed to pull out one more improbable win than the next. The team's run of perfection both overall and against ranked opponents came to an end against then #10 Kansas State in a 31-28 overtime defeat. The Horned Frogs were given a reprieve, however, by the playoff committee and were elected to compete in college football's version of the Final Four.
“It’s been quite a journey from where we were this time last year to where we are today,” Dykes said about his team's playoff berth. “You gotta give our players and everybody associated with our program a ton of credit. Just believing. Believing in the journey and doing things the right way and understanding you get rewarded by working really hard and preparing. Emptying the tank every Saturday and refilling as soon as that’s over. Our guys have done an unbelievable job of doing that.”
The focal point of the TCU offense will be Duggan. Duggan passed for 3321 yards this season with 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions. In addition, Duggan ran for 619 yards and six touchdowns. Running back Kendre Miller ran for 1370 yards and a team-high 17 touchdowns. Duggan can throw to five different receivers that had at least four touchdowns on the season. His favorite target is Quentin Johnston, who had 53 catches with over 900 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensively, the Horned Frogs are led by Johnny Hodges with 76 tackles and two sacks on the season. Dylan Horton leads the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks on the season. In the secondary, TCU has three players with three or more interceptions, led by Bud Clark with four interceptions. Josh Newton and Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson both have three interceptions on the season and have combined for 24 pass break-ups.
??? @TCUFootball took a timeout from its #FiestaBowl prep today to help build beds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (@ShpBeds) for children in need.
Huge thanks to the Frogs and our partner @PNCBank for supporting the mission that “no kids sleeps on the floor in this town.” pic.twitter.com/8EY2eY6YS3
— Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) December 29, 2022
TCU gets set to take on their 7th ranked opponent of the season as they try to advance to their first-ever title game. TCU comes into this matchup 19th in rushing and 40th in passing. They are also 9th in the country in scoring offense. Defensively, the Horned Frogs are 66th against the run and 79th against the pass. They are 53rd in the country in scoring defense. TCU's secondary will need to make plays when the chances arrive, which they should with Michigan's young quarterback in a pressure situation.
Key Injuries: The Horned Frogs are healthy and ready to go for this playoff matchup. WR Quincy Brown has been out since September but has not figured into the offense for all but one game.