The College Football Playoff The semifinals are finally here, with the Fiesta Bowl starting Saturday with a matchup between No. 2 Michigan (13-0) and No. 3 TCU (12-1).
And we’ve already received at least one very big prediction:
Big Ten champion Michigan is making its second straight College Football Playoff appearance in pursuit of its first national title since 1997. The Wolverines lost in the semifinals to Georgia last season in the Orange Bowl. TCU is in the playoffs for the first time after starting the season unranked under first-year coach Sonny Dykes. The Horned Frogs would become the first Big 12 team to win a CFP game.
[Related: Everything to know about the CFP semis]
The winner will advance to the national championship game on Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where they will face the winner of the Peach Bowl game later Saturday between No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Ohio State .
Here are the highlights of the Fiesta Bowl.
Fiesta Bowl: Michigan vs. TCU
… and off we go!
On the first play from scrimmage, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards blasted through the TCU defense for a 54-yard carry.
BIG stand
Shortly after the big run, Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy drove up to TCU’s 2-yard line on third-and-7. Michigan opted to go for it on fourth-down, but TCU’s defense denied him its trick game
Take your pick!
TCU went three-and-out after the goal line square, but then disaster struck Michigan.
On the first play of the ensuing possession, McCarthy’s pass was intercepted by safety Bud Clark, who returned the pick 41 yards for a TCU touchdown.
bully ball
Michigan went three-and-out after the pick-six.
The Horned Frogs put together a 12-play touchdown drive that ended with a trio of runs by quarterback Max Duggan, who rushed 38 yards on the drive. TCU took a 14-0 lead.
Chaotic sequence
McCarthy hit tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and Colston Loveland for a pair of completions that combined for 48 yards and set up a 42-yard field goal by kicker Jake Moody.
On the first play of TCU’s next possession, Duggan’s pass was tipped and intercepted by defensive end Rod Moore. McCarthy then hit wide receiver Roman Wilson for what was originally ruled a 49-yard touchdown. Upon further review, however, Wilson was ruled down at the 1-yard line.
Then linebacker Kalel Mullings came in for the pass and fumbled. TCU recovered the loose ball for a touchback.
TCU is rolling
After forcing Michigan to punt, TCU went on a 10-play touchdown drive, capped by Duggan eluding a sack and getting the ball to wide receiver Taye Barber, who raced into the end zone. The score gave TCU a 21-3 lead.
GREAT FG
Defensive pass interference gave Michigan the ball at the TCU 41-yard line with five seconds left in the first half. Michigan took Moody out to attempt a 59-yard field goal, which he did.
TCU led 21-6 at halftime.
Big game bell
Michigan went to work to open the second half with McCarthy finding Ronnie Bell deep for a 43-yard reception that brought the Wolverines to the TCU 6-yard line.
Camara catches the Wolverines
Michigan wanted to run a screen pass with blockers in front on third down from the TCU 3-yard line. But Horned Frogs cornerback Abe Camara read the play before the snap, blew it for a tackle for loss and forced the Wolverines to settle for three to make it a 21-9 game in the first minutes of the second half.
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