Michigan-TCU CFP matchup posts huge television numbers

Both of the two College Football Playoff semifinal matchups lived up to the billing on Saturday, especially the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl between No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 TCU. The matchup had a lot of attention, and became one of the highest rated semifinal games in the CFP era.

The game, which was broadcasted on ESPN, drew 21.4 million viewers. That is the third most-watched afternoon semifinal in the CFP era and the sixth-best semifinal game overall in the CFP era. Michigan vs. TCU peaked at 26.4 million viewers.

The @Fiesta_Bowl registered 21.4 million viewers and peaked with 26.4 million viewers 👀

🏈 3rd most-watched afternoon semi of CFP era
🏈 6th best #CFBPlayoff Semifinal game of CFP era pic.twitter.com/X2NS0n9epE

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) January 2, 2023

TCU got off to a fast start against Michigan, leading 14-0 after the first quarter. At halftime, the Horned Frogs led the Wolverines 21-6. Michigan came back in the second half, and a high-scoring third quarter set things up for a finish to remember.

After Michigan found the end zone and converted a two-point conversion early in the fourth quarter to cut TCU’s lead to 41-38, the Horned Frogs responded with ten unanswered points of their own. That gave TCU a 51-38 lead, which proved to be enough, even after Michigan cut it to 51-45 with less than four minutes left on the clock.

TCU was led by star quarterback and Heisman finalist Max Duggan, who completed 14 of his 29 pass attempts for 225 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed 15 times for 57 yards and two more scores. The Horned Frogs rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns as a team, led by Emari Demercado‘s 150 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. Star receiver Quentin Johnston led the way with six receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw for 343 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, adding 52 yards and another score on ten rushing attempts. Running back Donovan Edwards had 119 yards on the ground, while Ronnie Bell and Roman Wilson each had a receiving touchdown while eclipsing the 100-yard receiving mark.

Next up for TCU is a National Championship Game matchup against Georgia, the defending national champions. The Bulldogs defeated Ohio State in the other CFP semifinal on Saturday.

For Michigan, the Wolverines now enter an uncertain offseason where speculation has already begun ramping up surrounding the future of head coach Jim Harbaugh. It has been reported that Harbaugh could very well end up leaving college for the NFL if he is offered a position.

TCU and Georgia face off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday with a national title on the line.