How national college football media see Georgia-TCU CFP championship game and score picks
It all comes down to this. No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 TCU will battle for the College Football Playoff national championship Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET at So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
We turned to college football experts on the national scene for their insight into the matchup and asked them to predict a score.
Bill Connelly, ESPN.com
Georgia 35, TCU 21.
TCU's all-or-nothing tendencies make this a pretty high-variance situation, and the Frogs will only need a couple of scoring spurts to make this super interesting. But we've seen the Dawgs win this game before.
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Cole Cubelic, ESPN & SEC Network
Georgia 31, TCU 28
I do believe the TCU defense will provide some headaches for the Bulldogs offense. But because they offer so many things to defend, (Todd) Monken will make proper adjustments. UGA will have a bit more success vs this OL but QB runs will be an issue. TCU will need explosives & turnovers to win.
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Ross Dellenger, Sports Illustrated
Georgia 28, TCU 14
The Bulldogs are too talented and experienced for the Horned Frogs. TCU's magical run ends a game short of the ultimate goal, and KIrby Smart gets title No. 2.
Heather Dinich, ESPN.com
Georgia 31, TCU 28
TCU has proven the naysayers wrong week after week, but this is where the fairytale ends. Georgia will play better than it did against Ohio State, and while the Heisman finalist quarterbacks will steal the spotlight, the difference will be the Bulldogs’ defensive line.
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Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com
Georgia 34, TCU 30
TCU can win it because, unlike every Cinderella since BYU in 1984, it is actually in a position to do it. Both teams are comfortable playing in a shootout. This one keeps with the tone set in the semis. Dawgs go back-to-back.
Brandon Marcello, 247Sports.com
Georgia 31, TCU 24
Georgia is deeper and more talented, but TCU is as cohesive of a team as I have seen this season. The key for Georgia is finding success against an incredibly fast and space-eating defensive backfield that can deceive Stetson Bennett into making mistakes. The Bulldogs have too many weapons for TCU to defend.
Ralph Russo, Associated Press
Georgia 42, TCU 24.
The Frogs are fierce and probably behooves the Bulldogs not to find themselves in a close game late with this confident and resilient team. Georgia's talent proves too much and it pulls away to a repeat championship.
Barrett Sallee, CBSSports.com
Georgia 31, TCU 14
Georgia is bigger, faster, stronger and ... most importantly ... deeper than TCU. The Bulldogs will bracket star wide receiver Quinton Johnston, force Max Duggan into some reckless passes and pull away for a two-touchdown win. With that said, I'd never bet actual money on the Bulldogs (-13.5). There are too many ways for TCU to sneak in for a cover.
Mark Schlabach, ESPN.com
Georgia 49, TCU 31
I know Georgia's defense hasn't been great the past two games, and it's not going to be any easier slowing down TCU quarterback Max Duggan and receiver Quentin Johnston. I'm just not sure how the Horned Frogs are going to slow down the Bulldogs.
Dan Wolken, USA Today
Georgia 37, TCU 23
TCU is scrappy and fast enough to make it close for a half, but Georgia's depth should be the difference in creating some separation for the Bulldogs' second straight national title.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia Bulldogs vs. TCU Horned Frogs: College football experts picks
