Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Outside the Region Bowl Special: Georgia and Ohio State face off in the College Football Playoff
CFP Semifinal – Peach Bowl
No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Georgia
Game Time: 7 p.m. CT
TV/Radio: ESPN, Sirius XM 82 & 84
The second of two College Football Playoff matchups is between two teams that have been here numerous times before. Prior to the Big 10 championship game, these were the consensus top two teams in the country. Now, they face off in the first round of the playoff with hopes of a national title.
At one point, most thought that Tennessee had taken the top spot in not only the SEC but in the country. Well, Georgia took that personally and smoked the Vols reclaiming the top spot. The Bulldogs would go on to win the SEC Championship and prove the sky-high expectations right. Georgia’s defense is among the best in the country, with a phenomenal defensive line that gets pressure on the quarterback and stops the run. Georgia ranked first in the country in rushing yards allowed per game, giving up less than 80. They ranked 14th in the nation in total yards allowed and only allow a 26.7% third down conversion rate. They have only surrendered 30 or more points once this season, holding some of the most potent offenses in the nation to near nothing. On top of that, quarterback Stetson Bennett was a Heisman finalist completing 68% of his throws. They average almost 500 yards per game offensively and score nearly 40 points per game. All this while having a team that is not particularly loaded with top-tier NFL talent but by having a great football team that is well-coached and situationally smart. Georgia is a different beast this year and can win the entire thing without breaking a sweat.
Ohio State’s offense is scary. The second-ranked offense in the country, averaging 44.5 points per game while beating you in multiple ways, is a lot for Georgia to contain. C.J. Stroud is among the best quarterbacks in the country, and he has a stout receiving corps. Stroud has been a Heisman candidate for two straight seasons, and for good reason. Stroud completed 66.2% of his throws for over 3,300 yards with 37 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He is a beast, and the Buckeyes hold the edge in that department. As far as weapons go, the wide receiver duo of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka is among the best in the nation. Both caught for over 1,000 yards and combined for 21 touchdowns over the course of the season. One of the key matchups to watch is Harrison Jr. working against Georgia star corner Kelee Ringo. That could be viewed as the best receiver versus the best defensive back in college football. Outside of the loss in the Big 10 title game to Michigan, Ohio State has been near perfect this year on both ends. They score a ton and do not give up much. If Ohio State can get the running game going with Miyan Williams and win some of the matchups over the top, Ohio State could hand Georgia their first loss.
