Michigan football predictions vs. TCU: Why our guys think U-M will play for national title
Free Press sports writers predict Michigan football's College Football Playoff semifinal game vs. TCU in the Fiesta Bowl:
Tony Garcia
It's a battle of two different styles, from two different leagues. One is up-tempo and can score in a flash, the other likes to beat you down and snatch your spirit. It's two talented teams led by two talented coaches. While Michigan has demoralized opponents in the second half, TCU won't wilt like many of Michigan's foes have this year. Their identity is a never-say-die team. U-M is as a second-half team. It will be the Horned Frogs' defense that ultimately gives — the U-M offensive line, Donovan Edwards and J.J. McCarthy's play-making ability leads the Wolverines to the national championship game. The pick: Michigan 37, TCU 23.
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Carlos Monarrez
They have a plucky quarterback who didn’t start the season, yet here they are. No, I’m not talking about McCarthy. I’m talking about TCU’s Max Duggan, who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting and has plenty of weapons, chiefly Quentin Johnston, a 6-4 receiver who should be a top-10 draft pick. But TCU is suspect on defense and is no match for a complete and confident team like Michigan. The loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 title game also proved the Horned Frogs aren’t ready for the biggest moments on the biggest stage. The pick: Michigan 32, TCU 20.
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Rainer Sabin
Leading into this semifinal clash, Michigan claims it has been all business after smarting for nearly a year since Georgia routed the Wolverines at this same stage in 2021. A motivated Wolverines squad is a dangerous team, as the road conquest of Ohio State in Columbus a month ago demonstrated. Expect Michigan to handle the Horned Frogs and move on to the title game. The pick: Michigan 35, TCU 23.
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Jeff Seidel
Last year, the Wolverines seemed happy to get to the playoffs. This year? They are on a mission and will end up facing Georgia. But it won’t be easy. The Wolverines will start slow like all their games. It will be a little closer than you might think. But eventually, Michigan’s offensive line will wear down TCU. And in the end, we will see Edwards ripping off some long TD runs and Michigan will have a decisive victory. The pick: Michigan 34, TCU 21.
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Shawn Windsor
The Horned Frogs want to make McCarthy beat them. To which the Wolverines quarterback said: that’s “beautiful” to hear. The playoff is why he won the job earlier this summer. That said, U-M should still be able to run the ball, even against TCU’s 3-3 front. The Wolverines admitted they were happy to make the playoff a year ago. This time they have different ideas. The pick: Michigan 27, TCU 20.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football predictions vs. TCU:
