Kirk Herbstreit gives initial impressions of Georgia-TCU national championship matchup

Georgia and TCU are officially the final two teams standing in college football. After both squads won their respective semifinal games over Ohio State and Michigan, the Bulldogs and Horned Frogs will play for the sport’s ultimate prize: a national championship.

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit offered his early impressions of the national title game matchup, but emphasized the health of the players going into the final game. He said that would be the biggest key over the next week considering what each team can do to take advantage of the other’s weaknesses.

“The health of everybody (is most important),” Herbstreit said on Monday’s College GameDay. “Yeah, you know, (running back) Kendre Miller also for TCU, and what his status will be. This is a TCU offense that we’ve been around and watched them a lot this year, really balanced. 

“I mean, Max Duggan in the passing game gets a lot of attention. And they should. This team is one of the best at creating explosive plays, which is always big, in these championship type games. So Georgia’s defense, which is vulnerable in the back end, better be ready to defend that.”

Duggan did not play a perfect game against Michigan, but made huge plays and was responsible for four total touchdowns in the win. He was 14-of-29 passing for 225 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, 57 rushing yards and two touchdown runs. The Horned Frogs defense had two pick-sixes in the game as well.

It was the Georgia defense, which has been stout over the last two years during its undefeated streak, that was gashed by the Buckeyes’ offense and quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud played one of the best games of his career in the one-point loss. He went 23-of-34 passing for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

The Bulldogs won 16 straight games after edging out Ohio State, dating back to last year’s semifinals, and won 18 of their last 19 games. With one more win, it’ll be two straight national titles for Kirby Smart.

On the flip side, Sonny Dykes could cap off the greatest first season for a coach in history. After coming over from SMU, Dykes instantly made an impact on the school, leading them to the Big 12 title game and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.

While the loss to Kansas State for the conference crown is the lone blemish on the record, it can all go away with a win over the favored Bulldogs.