Orange Bowl: Early thoughts for Michigan vs. Georgia in CFP semifinal

No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 Georgia are playing in the Capital One Orange Bowl on New Year's Eve at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The winner will play the winner of Alabama and Cincinnati for all the marbles.

The Michigan Wolverines take on Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl at the end of the month. The game was one of highest-rated games on TV this season. The article is part of a mini-series leading up to the game.

Georgia is favored by 3.5-9 points in the Orange Bowl. The Wolverines have won 5 straight games since Michigan State week. Georgia was beaten by Alabama in SEC Championship Game. Michigan beat Iowa 42-3 in Big Ten Championship.

Georgia had the No. 3-ranked rushing defense this season. Michigan has two top-notch running backs in Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum. They will probably top 120 yards on the ground. Donovan Edwards is a rising freshman who had a nice outing against Northern Illinois earlier in the year. Georgia's defense was one for the ages during the regular season, often appearing as a once-in-a-generation type of unit.

Michigan will protect Cade McNamara. Georgia will get into the backfield more than twice. Michigan's O-line provided excellent protection all year. Georgia averaged 3.15 sacks per game. Adam Anderson and Nakobe Dean had 6 and 5 sacks respectively this season.

The Michigan Wolverines are going to play Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Michigan was unranked in preseason, but is now No. 2 in nation and B1G champions.

Michigan will run the ball well and protect McNamara. Georgia will try to get revenge for Alabama's defeat. Georgia and Michigan will play in the College Football Playoff final.