ESPN's FPI predicts outcome of Michigan-Georgia CFP showdown
Michigan is headed to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance after capturing its first B1G Championship under Jim Harbaugh. Now, the Wolverines will continue to prep for a showdown with No. 3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
That contest is shaping up to be an intriguing one. Both teams enter the Playoff 12-1 but are coming off of different ends to the season.
For Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs, Georgia enters after getting blown out by Alabama in the SEC Championship. Despite a dominant defensive showing in the regular season, it was Alabama QB Bryce Young that flipped the tables on Georgia with an incredible outing.
For Harbaugh’s Wolverines, Michigan enters the Orange Bowl firing on all cylinders. Michigan finished the regular season with dominant showings vs. Ohio State and Iowa and will look to keep the ground game and pass rush rolling along.
However, Georgia will be favored heading into the CFP semifinal. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Bulldogs are given a 67.6% chance to win the Orange Bowl and advance to the title game.
The FPI is also predicting an all-SEC title game. In the Cotton Bowl matchup of Alabama vs. Cincinnati, Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide are given a 71.7% chance to beat the Bearcats.