Kirby Smart addresses Georgia quarterback situation ahead of CFP semifinal vs. Michigan

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.

Heading into the Orange Bowl matchup between Georgia and Michigan, which is drawing much attention as New Year’s Eve continues to move closer, a lot of eyes are on the Bulldogs’ quarterback situation – relating to whether Stetson Bennett or JT Daniels will get the start against the Wolverines.

While Bennett has played in 12 games this season and thrown for 2,325 yards and 24 touchdowns, Daniels has tallied 722 yards and seven touchdowns in six games. Heading into his team’s game against Michigan, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart addressed the Bulldogs’ quarterback situation.

“We don’t disclose that information – we just talk about the guys that are doing their job,” Smart said. “All four of those guys have done a tremendous job working with us. Brock [Vandagriff]’s been giving us a great picture down on the scout team end and JT and Stetson are both really doing a good job of simulating the offense that [offensive coordinator Todd] Monken wants to do.

“Like I talk about all the time, we’re going to play the guy that gives us the best chance to win – and I’m really proud of the way both of those guys have practiced. We’ve done I guess four or five camp-type practices and two really focused on Michigan-type practices and both guys – Stetson and JT – have been really good, in terms of locked-in and focused on what we need to focus on.”

Georgia (12-1) and Michigan (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.

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

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.”