Fiesta Bowl Betting Odds: Can the Michigan Wolverines Spoil Texas Christian’s Magical Run?
Undefeated Michigan, A Win Away From National Title Game

Surprising Texas Christian Horned Frogs Underdogs Yet Again
It has hardly surprising to see Michigan back in the College Football Playoffs. However, when the season started, few people outside of the Texas Christian team projected that the Horned Frogs would be one of the last four remaining teams in the race for the national title. Perhaps that is why the Horned Frogs are listed as the underdog by more than a touchdown, according to the Fiesta Bowl betting odds.
Michigan will be without Blake Corum, who ran for nearly 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns before a season-ending knee injury.
They are two of the best finishers in football as the Wolverines lead all Football Bowl Subdivision teams with an average of 12.69 points per game in the fourth quarter. The Horned Frogs aren’t far behind as they score 10.62 points in the fourth quarter.
Michigan received one first-place vote in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and two No. 1 votes in the American Football Coaches Association. For No. 3 TCU, the ultimate sign of respect for the Horned Frogs’ body of work came when they didn’t drop in either national poll or in the College Football Playoff rankings even after an overtime loss to Kansas State in the College Football Playoff rankings.
TCU is looking to become the first team from the Big 12 to win a CFP semifinal game as Oklahoma went 0-3 in its three semifinal appearances.
Game Information
Texas Christian Horned Frogs (12-1) vs Michigan Wolverines (13-0)
Date & Time & Streaming:
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Streaming: Live Stream Sports
Intriguing Quarterback Showdown at the Fiesta Bowl
It might come as a surprise to some that the Michigan offense out of the rough and tumble Big Ten has run just four fewer plays this season than TCU. Still, the Michigan vs TCU odds favors the Big Ten champions.
There will be plenty of eyes on the two quarterbacks. TCU’s Max Duggan finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting. Other quarterbacks get to throw the ball more than Duggan, but it is hard to argue with his 30 touchdown passes and four interceptions. He displayed his running ability and toughness with 110 rushing yards in the Big 12 title game.
Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy picked up some experience in the 2021 College Football Playoff matchup with eventual national champion Georgia as he was 7 of 17 passing with 131 yards and a touchdown pass. He came into the NCAAF season fighting for the No. 1 job. Now there is no questioning who is the top guy as he has 20 TD passes and just three interceptions.
This is Michigan’s first appearance in the Fiesta Bowl since 1986 when the Wolverines defeated Nebraska 27-23.
Cade McNamara, who quarterbacked Michigan to the 2021 Big Ten title and spot in the College Football Playoffs, lost his job during an injury-plagued season and entered the transfer portal.
Keep an eye on the practice updates of defensive linemen Mark Morris and Eyabi Okie. They rank first and second on the Wolverines with 7.5 and 4.5 sacks and combined for 17.5 tackles for loss.
Horned Frogs Get Defensive
What a debut season it has been for TCU coach Sonny Dykes.
While the production from Duggan, 1,000-yard rusher Kendre Miller and leading receiver Quentin Johnson dominated the headlines, it could be argued that the real key has been the improvement on the other side of the ball.
TCU ranked ninth out of 10 teams in the Big 12 in total defense in 2021 and joined Kansas as the only other conference team to allow more than seven yards per offensive play.
The Horned Frogs went from giving up 462 yards to 385. Now they will look to bottle up the physical Michigan running game. Even with the signs of growth, the Horned Frogs are listed as the underdog according to the Fiesta Bowl betting odds.
The 14 interceptions have played a role in the improvement with Bud Clark, Josh Newton and Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson combining for 10 of them. Dee Winters’ 7.5 sacks have helped as well.
Looking to Take the Next Step
Heading into the 2021 season, there were calls for Jim Harbaugh’s removal as the Wolverines’ head coach since he couldn’t find a way to lead the Wolverines past rival Ohio State.
Those naysayers are pretty quiet these days. Michigan’s win over Ohio State was one of the signature moments of the 2022 college football season with a dominant second half, sending the Wolverines back to the Big Ten title game.
Not having Corum hurts. However, Donovan Edwards has rushed for 401 yards against Ohio State and in the Big Ten championship game versus Purdue. He is one of the reasons why the Fiesta Bowl betting odds are listing Michigan as the favorite.
Cornelius Johnson blew up for 160 yards on four catches and a pair of touchdowns against Ohio State. Michigan replaced its top two tacklers (Josh Ross and Daxton Hill), Heisman Trophy finalist Aidan Hutchinson and fellow pass rusher David Ojabo and put up more impressive numbers this season with Junior Colson (95 tackles) and Mike Morris (11 tackles for loss) leading the way.
Don’t forget about kicker Jake Moody as he saved Michigan’s undefeated season with four field goals, two in the final 3:16 in a 19-17 win against Illinois.
Can Favored Michigan Move On?
There will be a first-timer in the College Football Playoff title game as TCU is in the field for the first time and Michigan fell in the semifinals a season ago.
Obviously, the health of Morris and Okie will be huge for the Wolverines as they look to make life uncomfortable for Duggan.
Both teams have balance on offense as they average more than 200 yards both passing and running. They are also 11-1 away from home this season.
The Horned Frogs and Wolverines are 8-2-2 against the spread away from home.
The total has gone under in four of TCU’s last five games and in five of the last six against Big Ten opponents. Over the last 10 games, the average total for Michigan is 51.6 compared to 63.2 so a back-and-forth game could play into TCU’s hands.
The total opened at 59.5 and with money coming in on the under, it has dropped to 58. The college football point spreads has moved from Michigan being favored by nine to being a 7.5-point favorite.
Follow us on Twitter
Can’t get enough? Here’s more!
- LSU vs Georgia Betting Odds: Bulldogs Heavy Favorites to Win the SEC Title
- Las Vegas Bowl Betting Odds & Preview: Florida vs Oregon State
- Coastal Carolina vs Troy Betting Odds: Trojans Favored to Win First Title
- Fenway Bowl Betting Odds: Cincinnati vs Louisville
- Birmingham Bowl Betting Preview: Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina