Georgia-TCU: DawgsHQ Staff Predictions

It’s here: the last game of the season. College Football’s 2022 slate is coming to a close with the National Championship Game. That’s often met with some disappointment that football is over, but for the Georgia fans, if things shake out the way they want them to, any sense of sadness will soon be overwhelming joy about a second straight title. The Bulldogs take on the Horned Frogs of TCU Monday night at SoFI Stadium with kickoff time set for 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. locally. DawgsHQ will be on hand to take in all the action and share the experience with you as best possible, but before game day arrives, here’s how we see things playing out.

Jake Reuse

I haven’t really wrestled with this call, and oddly enough, that’s what made me the most skeptical about it. It’s often when I feel that Georgia is clearly better that my predictions have been burnt. But I can’t help it here. The talent disparity feels substantial, and while the Horned Frogs have been magical all season (save the K-State loss), Georgia just seems like too much to me. Now, if Stetson starts going rogue again or the pass rush isn’t getting to Duggan, will this be a squeaker? I could definitely see that. I don’t think either happens, however. Georgia should control this one, but I’m not about to disrespect Max Duggan and say he can’t keep them in it. He’s proven that’s what he’s about. Expect it to be a fun one. Prediction: Georgia 41 – TCU 31

Jake Rowe

I love teams like the one TCU has this season. I think Sonny Dykes is an incredible coach. I think Max Duggan has the heart of a lion and plenty of talent to go with it. Quentin Johnson is also a bonafide stud. This team isn’t going to roll over and Georgia is going to have to fight for all quarters no matter what the score is. It’s hard to beat a team that has accomplished something no one thought possible.

With that said, in talking to players yesterday, I really think that Kirby Smart has succeeded in getting this team to view itself as disrespected underdogs. A lot of the players who stepped in for those draft picks from last year have a chip on their shoulder whether they’d admit it or not. UGA gets it cleaned up from last week. It lands its heaviest punches in the middle rounds and it covers  despite the Horned Frogs best late-game efforts. I’m expecting a big game for the battery of Stetson Bennett and Brock Bowers. Prediction: Georgia 45 – TCU 31

Palmer Thombs

I told people before Georgia-Ohio State that I wouldn’t have been shocked if the Buckeyes had won, instead I would have been surprised. Ohio State has the talent to play with Georgia. I don’t think TCU does, therefore I would be shocked if the Horned Frogs are victorious on Monday. It’s a great story, and I honestly do like Sonny Dykes, Max Duggan and company. There’s a tough, gritty team to watch. However, I expect Georgia’s talent to overwhelm them. Stetson Bennett gets the send off that all Georgia fans want to see as he has fun out there with the weapons of AD Mitchell, Arian Smith and Brock Bowers. On the defensive side of things, Jalen Carter makes his last case for the No. 1 overall pick while Smael Mondon leads the team in tackles spying Duggan from the middle of the field. Could Christopher Smith come up with a big play in his send off? Certainly possible. Prediction: Georgia 38 – TCU 17

Wes Blankenship

Well, we’ve made it to our final football pick of the season, and our first of the 2023 calendar year. It’s been a tremendous run for the Dawgs and for myself in these picks against the spread. I started off 0-5, but have only gotten one pick wrong since. How did I do it? I take whatever my gut feeling is on the game, and pick the opposite. I call it the Costanza Method. It proves how terrible I am at getting a bead on this Georgia team, while simultaneously demonstrating my strong levels of self-awareness. If you’ve listened to The Georgia Show this week, then you know how my gut is reading this TCU game. I’m Larry Munson-ing all over the place. I just respect the Frogs that much, and Georgia’s defense obviously brings some squeaky wheels into this one. I don’t think Georgia will cover the massive 12.5-point spread. So if the Costanza Method Hunkers Down one more time, I suppose Larry and Vince will be lighting two heavenly stogies by the time this one ends. Prediction: Georgia 48, TCU 18