2022 College Football Playoff predictions, picks: Georgia the team to beat, but TCU offers chaos element

The 2022-23 College Football Playoff is the first to be played without either Alabama or Clemson. TCU went from unranked to unbelievable. Ohio State got a mulligan by sliding into the field at the last minute. No. 3 TCU had to sweat out its spot despite an undefeated regular season. Utah's upset of USC may have avoided a Ryan Day coaching purge. If the Buckeyes and Wolverines win their semifinals, they would play for the national championship 44 days after meeting in Columbus, Ohio. Georgia and Michigan are favored in the semifinals. Georgia will be the better team no matter who it plays in CFP IX.

Georgia is defending its national championship. Ohio State is trying to become the first back-to-back champions in the CFP era. The magic number against Georgia's defense might be 30 points. LSU reached that number in SEC Championship Game, but it lost by 20. Georgia is No. 1 nationally in red zone offense and defense. Opponents have reached the UGA 20 only 28 times all season. Ohio state will have to match Georgia’s physicality either way. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team's best wide receiver, will not participate in this game.

Michigan is one of two undefeated teams in the CFP. TCU is the second team to go from unranked to the playoff. Michigan will have to stop TCU's top rushing quarterback, Duggan. The question is whether TCU can respond in time against the nation's No. 3 defense.  2022 College Football Playoff predictions, picks: Georgia the team of destiny and TCU offers chaos element. Georgia is predicted to beat TCU. Texas is picked to win the game.

2022 College Football Playoff predictions, picks: Georgia the team to beat, but TCU offers chaos element.