Rapid Reaction: Michigan bows out of CFP with loss to Georgia in Orange Bowl
Michigan’s debut in the College Football Playoff got ugly early and never got any prettier.
The Wolverines trailed Georgia 27-3 at halftime on Friday at the Orange Bowl in Miami and lost the CFP semifinal 34-11, ending a landmark season for coach Jim Harbaugh.
Hassan Haskins, who gained 1,288 yards rushing this season coming into Friday, was held to 39 yards on 9 carries. And Cade McNamara was just 11-of-19 for 106 yards and 2 interceptions before JJ McCarthy replaced him.
McCarthy hit fellow freshman Andrel Anthony for a 35-yard touchdown with 4:25 left and UM converted the 2-point play to make the final score a bit closer.
Michigan, the first team to start a season unranked in the Associated Press poll and make the Playoff, was No. 2 in the final CFP rankings. Georgia, which will get another shot at Alabama in the CFP final after losing to the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 4, was ranked No. 3.
The Wolverines (12-2) accomplished a lot in 2021: Their first Big Ten championship since 2004, their first victory over Ohio State since 2011, sending defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist (he finished second in the voting behind Alabama QB Bryce Young).
But the Dawgs (13-1) took away everything that UM does well and exploited some weaknesses that had rarely been on display all season. UGA outgained the Wolverines 521-325.
Things looked encouraging for Michigan to start getting back into the game on the first drive of the second half. The Wolverines gained 56 yards on 11 plays including two 3rd-down conversion passes to tight end Erick All. But Cade McNamara was picked off in the end zone by Derion Kendrick, the defensive back’s second interception of the night.
Michigan came into the game 12th in FBS in total defense, allowing 316.7 yards per game. And UM was 10th in rushing offense at 223.8 ypg on the ground.
But Georgia, only No. 56 in passing yards per game but 7th in passing efficiency, didn’t need to throw the ball all over Hard Rock Stadium to thrive against the Wolverines.
The often maligned Stetson Bennett threw for 234 yards and 2 TDs in the first half alone on just 16-of-22 passing. And the Dawgs dug deep into their playbook, with running back Kenny McIntosh completing s 18-yard option pass to Adonai Mitchell for an 18-yard TD and a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
That was all part of a first half in which Georgia outgained Michigan 330-101, holding the Wolverines to 29 yards rushing.
Michigan was behind 17-0 in the second quarter when the Wolverines finally got on the board on Jake Moody’s 36-yard field goal with 7:26 remaining in the second quarter. That capped a 9-play, 57-yard drive.
But UM committed 3 turnovers and forced none and could not slow down the Dawgs either on the ground or through the air.