Georgia vs. TCU: Who Has the Edge at Every Position?
Entering the College Football Playoff semifinal showdown against Michigan, TCU coach Sonny Dykes said he believed the Horned Frogs were "capable of beating anybody."
They'll get to prove that Monday.
That's when they'll take on the mighty defending champion Georgia Bulldogs in Los Angeles as coach Kirby Smart's team tries to become the first program since Alabama in 2011-12 to win back-to-back national titles.
Will Cinderella bring home a natty from the ball? Or will UGA continue to assert its dominance on the biggest stage and stake its claim as a budding dynasty, surpassing Alabama as the sport's alpha?
Maybe a breakdown of positions and who holds the advantage at each will offer insight into whether a TCU team Vegas sees as a big underdog has a chance.
Special Teams
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This is an extremely close battle because both teams are exceptional in this area, and it may come into play.
TCU gets a narrow nod here because of explosive punt returner Derius Davis, who averages nearly 15 yards per return and has taken a pair to the house this year. UGA counters with Ladd McConkey, who is exceptional in his own right, but Davis is explosive.
Both teams have terrific kicking, with the Dawgs having a tiny advantage because Brett Thorson (though he's punted about half as much) averages 4.4 more yards per punt than Jordy Sandy.
The Horned Frogs and Dawgs have exceptional place-kickers in Georgia's Jack Podlesny, who has made 25 of 30 kicks with a long of 50 yards, and TCU's Griffin Kell, who has made 17 of 19 with a long of 54.
So, while Georgia has the slightest of kicking advantages, Davis' big-play ability could be a game-changing force that Smart and his staff must try to minimize. If they're able to do that, it's going to be extremely hard for TCU to pull out a win.
Advantage: TCU (barely)
Defensive Backs
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If you want to pinpoint one place where Smart has recruited better than anybody (which is like picking the tallest mountain in the Himalayas by sight), it would have to be in the defensive backfield.
Never mind how much elite talent the Bulldogs lost from last year's title team—they've actually gotten better, more athletic and more aggressive in this year's secondary.
Both of these teams have terrific, deep defensive backfields, but Georgia's DBs are on another level from most anybody in the country.
They've had a difficult couple of games in the SEC championship and CFP semifinals with LSU QB Jayden Daniels and especially Ohio State signal-caller C.J. Stroud lighting them up, but this Georgia defensive backfield has playmakers everywhere.
Kelee Ringo is the most talented defensive player on the Bulldogs, even if he's struggled at times. Christopher Smith has been terrific all season as a veteran leader. True freshman Malaki Starks has been a godsend for the Bulldogs as he finished second on the team in tackles.
Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassiter and Tykee Smith are also unbelievably productive—UGA can throw talent at you in waves.
Even with TCU boasting the Thorpe Award winner in Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and a stable of safeties such as big-play Bud Clark, Mark Perry, Millard Bradford, Abraham Camara and Namdi Obiazor, the Frogs can't compete with Georgia's talent on the back end.
Advantage: Georgia
Linebackers
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You can't discount how well TCU's linebacking corps has grown this season after a difficult transition to defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie's 3-3-5 scheme. The Horned Frogs were perhaps thinner at that spot than anywhere else on D, and still, they've had standouts.
Navy transfer Johnny Hodges has been a machine, and he leads the Frogs with 81 tackles. The biggest star on that side of the ball in the Fiesta Bowl was first-team Big 12 all-conference performer Dee Winters, who was all over the field. Jamoi Hodge is a good player, too.
But it's just hard to match up with the speed, physicality and aggressiveness of Georgia's deep, talented linebacker corps. Again, they lost star Nakobe Dean from last year's team (along with three others), and it hasn't mattered much.
Jamon Dumas-Johnson has been a star all year, making plays left and right. After being sprinkled into the lineup on last year's title team, Smael Mondon Jr. has been outstanding, leading the Dawgs with 71 tackles. Veteran Robert Beal Jr. is a stalwart too.
But when you throw in guys such as Trezmen Marshall, Rian Davis and Chaz Chambliss, you see just how talented and deep this group is.
It's amazing and a testament to Smart's recruiting acumen that he flipped a large portion of his depth and his leadership at the position, and that the group has performed at such a high level. But it's a gap-plugging, huge reason UGA leads the nation in rush defense.
Advantage: Georgia
Defensive Line
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A year ago, everybody knew about Georgia defensive lineman/outside linebacker Travon Walker, but he blossomed into the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft because of his physical prowess and consistent ability to terrorize quarterbacks.
This year, that Georgia front-seven draft-surger will be Jalen Carter.
While Alabama's Bryce Young is almost certain to go to the Texans at No. 1—should they clinch the selection this weekend with a loss—because of their need for a quarterback, Carter is challenging Crimson Tide edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. to be the first defender taken in the draft.
Carter is a magnificent athlete for his 6'3", 300-pound frame, and he is just the tip of the iceberg for the Dawgs' dominant defensive front.
Nazir Stackhouse is a space-eater, and freshman Mykel Williams is one of the most talented youngsters in college football. Zion Logue, Tramel Walthour, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Warren Brinson and Bear Alexander give them an embarrassment of riches.
It's fast and aggressive (sound familiar?), and while it had a less-than-eye-popping total of 30 sacks this season, UGA got to C.J. Stroud four times in the semifinal, and Carter also dominated in the SEC title game against LSU. There's just too much talent.
While TCU counters with players such as the senior defensive end duo of Dylan Horton (10.5 sacks) and Terrell Cooper, who can pressure the quarterback, and freshman nose guard Damonic Williams, the Frogs just don't have the depth and talent that UGA does.
This group was salty against Michigan, but it would be a shocker if TCU outplayed Georgia's talented front.
Advantage: Georgia
Offensive Line
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You're probably wondering if TCU has the advantage in anything. Well, that's a big reason folks who don't want UGA to win the national title were pulling for Ohio State.
The Horned Frogs would have theoretically matched up much better with the Buckeyes than the Dawgs. But if you think any TCU player would read this and be bummed, think again. All they've done is prove the doubters wrong at every turn.
Michigan won the Joe Moore Award for the nation's top offensive line, but TCU outplayed and was more physical than the Wolverines' O-line in the semifinal. They aren't overly deep with a rotation of six to seven players, but right tackle Andrew Coker is an NFL prospect, and they've paved roads for two quality runners all year.
Again, though, the Dawgs are just deeper and more talented. They were a finalist for the Moore Award this season, and they finished the year with just nine sacks allowed, which ranked fourth nationally. They're also terrific at opening holes for the stable of runners.
Depth is the name of the game for UGA's offensive front. It features Broderick Jones, Sedrick Van Pran and Warren McClendon as the anchors, and includes guys such as Amarius Mims and Xavier Truss.
When the Dawgs dealt with injuries throughout the year, the backups didn't miss a beat. That's the sign of a good, well-coached unit.
Advantage: Georgia
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
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I went back and forth on this one, because, unlike last year, the Georgia stable of pass-catchers is talented and capable of changing the game with a big-time play.
You've got the reliable Ladd McConkey, red-zone weapon Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Kearis Jackson and Dominick Blaylock, and speedster Arian Smith, who can blow the top off the defense at any time. Receiver Adonai Mitchell's ankle finally seems healthy, and he made huge plays against the Buckeyes.
Oh by the way, tight end Brock Bowers is probably one of the top 10 players in the nation.
The Horned Frogs counter with explosiveness. Quentin Johnston won the offensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl (six catches, 163 yards, one TD) and can change the game at any time. He may be the receiver with the most pro potential in this year's draft class.
Taye Barber had 605 receiving yards for the season, and Derius Davis can take the ball to the house every time he touches it. Savion Williams and tight end Jared Wiley can make plays, and freshman Jordan Hudson could be let loose against UGA.
If we knew McConkey (knee) and tight end Darnell Washington (lower-body injury) would be fully healthy in the game, it might've swung this toward Georgia's direction, but those are big question marks.
TCU looks to make plays down the field more, and the Frogs get a slight edge here, but this one may make me look bad.
Advantage: TCU
Running Backs
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If we knew Kendre Miller would be 100 percent, this showdown of running back rooms would be a little more competitive. But after he left the Fiesta Bowl with a knee injury, it's no guarantee TCU's leading rusher will play.
That would be a major blow to the Horned Frogs' slim chances of winning. Emari Demercado did an admirable job of filling in for Miller and can be a battering ram, but he doesn't have the wiggle or big-play ability of his teammate.
Still, even if Miller plays and is healthy, UGA's runners might be better. With the Bulldogs, you've got everything you can possibly want. Is there a single featured back with mind-blowing stats? No. But the depth Smart has built (notice a trend?) is the envy of everybody.
Kenny McIntosh is the star of the show, leading the team with 779 rushing yards on a 5.5 average and 10 touchdowns. He's also the team's third-leading receiver with 42 catches for 506 yards and a couple of scores.
Daijun Edwards is right behind McIntosh with 741 rushing yards and seven scores, and Kendall Milton has 557 yards and has scored seven more. His big-play ability is noticeable, as he's averaged 7.3 yards per carry. Freshman Branson Robinson can plow through defenders too.
This is just a group full of amazing talent that keeps everyone fresh, has diverse skill sets and drives the Dawgs to wins.
Advantage: Georgia
Quarterbacks
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If you want guys who will produce "oohs" and "ahhs" with their arm strength, athleticism and the way they look stepping off the bus, this game isn't for you.
But the two most unassuming superstars in college football will be the two dudes standing under center in the national championship game.
Georgia's former walk-on Stetson Bennett and TCU's Max Duggan, who was on the bench earlier this season in Sonny Dykes' first year as the Horned Frogs head coach, made up half of the Heisman Trophy finalists.
That's a testament to how they've performed this season.
While neither Bennett nor Duggan had their best showings in the semifinal wins, they were heroes at the biggest moments of the game.
For Bennett, he led UGA to two fourth-quarter touchdowns to erase an 11-point deficit. He wound up 23-of-34 for 398 yards and three touchdowns against an interception.
Duggan threw for 225 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pair of picks, but in true more-athletic-than-you-think fashion, the rugged veteran ran for 57 more yards and two more scores in a 51-45 win over Michigan.
These guys simply find a way to win, and it's hard to choose between them, so we won't. There are a ton of similarities.
Advantage: Push
Overall Winner
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So much was at stake for Georgia in last year's national title game when it took on Alabama. Not only were the Bulldogs looking for their first championship since 1980, but Smart was also trying to beat his old boss, Nick Saban.
The Bulldogs also were trying to exact some revenge on the Crimson Tide after losing to them in the SEC Championship Game.
This year, the pressure is still on the Dawgs, but they're the veterans, they're the aggressors and they are massive, near two-touchdown favorites over TCU. They hold a decisive advantage at five positions, and while we gave the Frogs the nod on special teams and with their receiving targets (and a tie at QB), those could go either way.
On paper, it doesn't look like the Frogs have much of a chance, and, you know what? That has been fuel for the best story in college football all season with coach Dykes' team.
If TCU can do it again, it will be a story we will never forget, and if it's a thriller like many of us are hoping for, it will provide us a memorable moment in what has been another fun season full of unprecedented bowl drama.
I just don't see it. The Bulldogs have far too much talent, and they are going to get it done in a big way. UGA wins 44-28.
Advantage: Georgia
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