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College Football Playoff predictions, picks: Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl – The Hamden Journal
College Football Playoff predictions, picks: Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl

College Football Playoff predictions, picks: Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl

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The Post’s Howie Kussoy is here with the Pigskin Profit to give his picks and predictions for the College Football Playoff.

First up, Michigan vs. TCU, which will begin on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31st, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.


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College Football Playoff predictions

Fiesta Bowl: Michigan (-7.5) vs. TCU (+7.5)

Only three of the 16 semifinal games in the playoff era have been decided by single digits. Add another blowout to the collection. The teams that gave TCU the most trouble this season committed to the run, with Kansas State rushing for 205 yards (44 carries) in its Big 12 title game win and Baylor rushing for 232 yards (46 carries) in a one-point loss. Michigan’s seventh-ranked rushing attack — which averages 43 carries per game — isn’t what Sonny Dykes wants to see. 

Michigan vs. TCU pick

Michigan -7.5 (BetMGM)

C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Michigan Wolverines
C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Michigan Wolverines
Getty Images

Betting on College Football?

Kendall Milton #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs
Kendall Milton #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs
Getty Images

Peach Bowl: Georgia (-6.5) vs. Ohio State (+6.5) (Sat., Dec 31st, 8 p.m. ET. ESPN)

Even before losing to Michigan, the Buckeyes were largely living off of reputation, a preseason ranking and C.J. Stroud. Ohio State has rarely looked the part of a contender this season, struggling against teams with a pulse (Notre Dame, Penn State) and teams in lower weight classes (Maryland, Northwestern), before luckily stumbling into the fourth spot. Meanwhile, Georgia looks poised to become the first back-to-back champ of the playoff era, having dominated its five ranked opponents by an average of 29.4 points. 

Georgia vs. Ohio State pick

Georgia -6.5 (BetMGM)