Georgia successfully defends college football championship in blowout win against TCU

The Georgia Bulldogs successfully defended their college football championship title on a rainy Monday night at SoFi Stadium with a record-breaking 65-7 victory over the underdog Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs. 

Georgia, with one of the most dominant squads in college football history, were the heavy favorites to win the championship; they returned with a team very similar to last year’s, including star quarterback Stetson Bennett. Led by coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs became the first team to repeat as champions since the introduction of the College Football Playoff (CFP), boasting an undefeated record and the largest margin of victory in a CFP championship game. Their dynasty seems set to continue into the foreseeable future.

TCU, despite its defeat, still had a dream season. Not even expected to make the playoffs, TCU shocked the college football world when it beat Michigan in a thrilling shootout in its semifinal game. The Horned Frogs’ unexpected success stems from star quarterback Max Duggan and first-year coach Sonny Dykes. Though Duggan will not be returning, Dykes has the opportunity to build the program around this year’s Cinderella story. It would not be surprising to see them return to the championship game soon.

This championship game, however, the Bulldogs simply were stronger and faster on both sides of the field, with the TCU defense being unable to contain Bennett and the explosive Georgia offense, and the elite Georgia defense pressuring Duggan and the TCU offense into mistakes. Bennett ran for two touchdowns and passed for four in his final night for the Bulldogs, repeating as offensive MVP. He was pulled from the game early in the fourth quarter to a standing ovation. Senior defensive back Javon Bullard won defensive MVP with two key first half interceptions for Georgia. Duggan ran in the Horned Frogs’ only score of the night in the first quarter.