Chris Fowler provides X-factor for Michigan, Georgia in College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff is just around the corner, as the Dec. 31 semifinal games featuring No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl and No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl are just a couple of weeks away.

While both semifinal matchups are expected to be exciting, it’s the Orange Bowl game between Michigan and Georgia that’s drawing the most attention. As the Wolverines are red hot after making an impressive run to the playoff and Georgia is coming off its SEC championship game loss to Alabama, it’s certainly going to be interesting to see how the game plays out.

Heading into the College Football Playoff, ESPN college football analyst Chris Fowler joined The Rich Eisen Show to breakdown the Michigan vs. Georgia matchup.

“Defensive, low scoring. Vegas has it as one of the lowest scoring games you’ll see at this level,” Fowler said. “CFP games have been known for wild shootouts, basically, in the era when Clemson and Alabama and LSU brought these big offenses in. I think it’s a different feel this year. Cincinnati and Alabama will slightly be higher scoring, but both teams want to be physical and run the ball and I think it comes down to which quarterback is going to be able to make plays.

“You saw [Cade] McNamara make some beautiful throws against Ohio State, take advantage of some play-action opportunities, press the ball when needed, take care of the football, which is what he has to do against Georgia. And then Stetson Bennett looked really average against Alabama after looking good for a lot of the year.”

Michigan (12-1) and Georgia (12-1) are scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on New Year’s Eve at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. ESPN is carrying the national broadcast.

Dan Lanning reveals why he decided to stay with Georgia through the College Football Playoff

Dan Lanning has coached the Georgia defense to an all-time season in 2021. Featuring a multitude of NFL-caliber talent, the Bulldogs have continually shut teams down. Moreover, it’s played a big part in why the team was selected for the College Football Playoff.

Afterwards, Lanning was hired as the new leader of the Oregon Ducks following the departure of Mario Cristobal to Miami. However, he’ll be allowed to finish out his season with Georgia. In an appearance on SportsCenter, the future Oregon coach elaborated on why he decided to finish out his tenure with the Bulldogs.

“Ultimately, it was never a decision,” Lanning said. “I wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for our players. It would be totally unfair to our guys if I left with this opportunity. Didn’t finish what we started here. I’m grateful that coach Smart would let me come back and help, but certainly have some unfinished business.”

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report.