Final NCAAF Championship Odds: Defending Champs Still Double-Digit Favorite

Can Texas Christian Pull Off One More Shocker in National Title Game?

The day that college football fans have been waiting for has arrived as either Georgia will become the first team to win back-to-back national titles since the College Football Playoff system began in 2014 or Texas Christian will conclude one of the most improbable championship runs in quite some time.

When looking at the Final NCAAF Championship Odds, the odds for the games have been holding steady as Georgia is a 12.5-point favorite. The line opened at 13 and there has been very little movement. The total opened at 62.5 and is now at 64.

When taking a look at the college football betting lines Georgia is the last remaining undefeated team at the Football Bowl Subdivision level while only TCU’s overtime loss to Kansas State Wildcats in the Big 12 championship game keeps this from being a matchup of undefeated teams.

Here’s the final update from Point Spreads before the college football season comes to an end with the national title game.

Game Information

National Rankings

Here are some numbers to ponder other than the Final NCAAF Championship Odds

TCU is sixth nationally with 40.3 points per game, seventh in third-quarter scoring, fourth in points scored in the fourth quarter and 25th in both passing and rushing yards per game.

The Georgia Bulldogs are seventh in total offense, 11th in scoring offense, 18th in rushing yards per game and 19th in passing yards.

The second quarter has been the most productive for the Georgia offense as the Bulldogs are sixth with 12.6 points per game in the quarter while allowing just 3.6 points. The Bulldogs allow just 1.8 points per game in the first quarter.

On defense, Georgia is second in scoring defense and 11th in total defense.

Injury Update

TCU’s leading rusher Kendre Miller is questionable with a knee injury. Often times a questionable tag means an NCAAF player is ailing a bit, but more than likely to play. If he is cleared to play, that could result in a move in the Final NCAAF Championship Odds.

There have been reports of Miller having a 50-50 chance to take the field. Emari Demercado came in for Miller against the Michigan Wolverines and finished with 150 rushing yards; so the running game won’t fall apart even if Miller’s 1,399 yards are the most in a season for a TCU Horned Frogs player since Ladainian Tomlinson ran for 2,158 yards in 2000.

Georgia has been playing without linebacker Nolan Smith and cornerback Dan Jackson for several weeks. Now tight ends Arik Gilbert and Darnell Washington as well as offensive lineman Earnest Greene are questionable.

Passing Fancy

Plenty of eyes will be on the two quarterbacks.

TCU’s Max Duggan, the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting, has 212, 251 and 225 passing yards in the last three games so that is why he is listed as -115 to either go over or under 240.5 yards even though Georgia’s pass defense has not been impressive in either of its last two games. Duggan has 3,546 passing yards, 63.7 completion percentage, 32 TD passes, and six interceptions to go with 461 rushing yards and eight scoring runs.

Georgia’s Stetson Bennett, also a Heisman finalist is expected to air it out a little more. The odds are -125 for him to go over 277.5 yards and -105 to go under. Bennett has thrown for 3,823 yards while completing 68.1% of his asses with 23 TDs and seven interceptions. He doesn’t run as often or as well as Duggan but has matched the TCU quarterback with eight touchdown runs.

When looking at the NCAAF best players bets, the game features elite pass catchers. TCU’s Johnston is at -120 to go over 84.5 receiving yards and -110 to go under while Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is at -135 to go over 65.5 receiving yards and +105 to go under that total.

Georgia vs TCU Head-to-Head

Georgia has won all four meetings against TCU. The most recent NCAAF matchup 31-23 in the 2016 Liberty Bowl as a three-point underdog.

Georgia also won 40-26 in the 1942 Orange Bowl. In between those bowl games, the Bulldogs won a pair of regular-season games (34-3 in 1980 and 38-10 in 1988).

Next Stop: NFL

There aren’t as many likely first-round picks playing in the game as was the case in last year’s championship matchup.

With Chicago getting the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and having traded away a first-round selection to acquire Justin Fields, it seems unlikely that the Chicago Bears will use the top pick on a quarterback. If they hold onto the pick, perhaps Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter will be in play for the No. 1 selection.

TCU’s Quentin Johnson is expected to be the first receiver drafted. he has the size, speed, hands and work ethic to be an elite receiver at the next level. Center Steve Avila could be a late first-round pick while Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo and running back Kenny McIntosh are worth watching.

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