Who’s picking who

It’s not puzzling to find No. 1 seeded Alabama as much as a 14-point favorite over 4th-seeded Cincinnati in one College Football Playoffs semifinals, but it’s sure not the same in the other semis between 2nd-seeded Michigan and 3rd-seeded Georgia.

Remember now, the Bulldogs had been on top of the heap until they lost handily to the Crimson Tide in the Southeastern Conference championship game. So they dropped two spots but are still picked to win over the higher-seeded Wolverines.

Not everywhere, mind you, but on some TV sports shows is where this is found, along with some newspapers and other publications. But then Michigan is the choice in other places by 7 points, and this is also located on the TV sports shows as well as newspapers and other publications.

It’s a mystery, but this still ranks as the expected tough tussle of the two Friday Final Fours to be seen on ESPN. Of course, only the final score will be evidence of this, so have fun, make your pick, and then see who comes out on top, the Dawgs or the Wolverines.

Points for Georgia comes from its undefeated march through the slate until the Bama loss, and brings out its strong defense mixed with enough offense to roll over teams, but it also loses points for the way it came up short versus Alabama, 41-24.

Now Michigan, which lost its only game against Big Ten rival Michigan State, came in as the soaring-hot program over the Dawgs, and maybe that’s why it has been established as the early leader. Before making it to the power four, the Wolverines got to number seven prior to the huge win at Ohio State that bumped the Buckeyes from the power four.

So they arrive coming off a victory, Georgia after a defeat. Still, if the Bulldogs can contain the Michigan running game and shut down the aerial attack, they would gain their confidence once again, expect this wouldn’t be easy against an opponent already loaded with confidence.

Now can Michigan run with the Dawgs on the edges and in the open field? This wasn’t an issue against Ohio State, and Georgia was a step behind versus the Crimson Tide. But that was then, now it’s a whole new game and if its a pick-um, sounds better than what Alabama has in store for the non-power five Bearcats, at 13-0 the only one with an unblemished record.

On the All-America First Team list, the Wolverines have senior Aiden Hutchinson at edge and Jake Mooles as a kicker on the offense. The Bulldogs have senior guard Jordan Davis along the defensive line, as well as junior Nakcobe Dean as a corner back.

In points per game, Georgia averaged 39.4, Michigan 37.7. In yards per game, Georgia averaged 442.5, Michigan 451.9. In opponents points yielded per game, the Bulldogs allowed 9.5, the Wolverines 16.1. In turnovers, Georgia averaged 16, Michigan 11. In penalties, it was the Dawgs with 62 for 508 yards and the Wolverines with 64 for 531 yards.

Except for the 10-3 opening win over Clemson, Georgia rolled over everybody until the Bama tilt, and posting a pair of shutouts. Michigan had closer games, the 7-point win over Rutgers, the 3-point win over Nebraska, the 4-point win Penn State, and in between came the 37-33 setback to Michigan State.

But a W is a W and now let’s see who wants it more in the hours before 2022 arrives.