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Florida predictions: Georgia Bulldogs vs TCU Horned Frogs

Jordan Kirkland

The national championship is here! The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (14-0) and the No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs (13-1) will square off tonight in the College Football Playoff National Championship to determine who is the Top Dawg (or Frog) of the college gridiron.

Fresh off an SEC championship over LSU and a nail-biting one-point victory over Ohio State in the Peach Bowl semifinal, Georgia is eying their second-straight national title and third since 1980. The team is led by Head Coach Kirby Smart and Heisman finalist, QB Stetson Bennett, whose ascent to the top of the college football landscape could be a script to a Hollywood movie.

With a win on Monday, Georgia will be the first back-to-back national champions since Alabama in 2011-12.

While the defending national champions enter the contest as a heavy favorite, currently 13 points in the latest Georgia vs. TCU odds from Caesars Sportsbook, much of the nation is hypnotized by the underdog.

TCU, who entered the season a 200-1 longshot to win the big game, outlasted Michigan 51-45 in a wild playoff shootout. The Horned Frogs are led by first-year Head Coach Sonny Dykes and QB Max Duggan, who finished No. 2 in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Despite the Sunshine State being one of 22 states backing the Bulldogs, we wanted to take a deep dive in Florida’s political arena and ask those inside the process to weigh in on tonight’s matchup.

Here’s what we found:

Me:

Georgia 41, TCU 20

 

“It would be remiss of me if I didn’t give my thoughts. After decades of pent-up emotion, my alma mater snapped a 41-year title drought last year. And after setting an NFL record for most players taken in a single draft with 15 — including five defensive players selected in the first round — many questioned if the Dawgs could repeat.

 

But thanks to quarterback Stetson Bennett and a top rush defense led by defensive tackle Jalen Carter, a top-5 pick in April’s NFL Draft, the Dawgs reloaded and are now on the doorstep of another championship.

 

They’ll kick that door in on Monday night, and the world will be introduced to the Dynasty Dawgs!

 

Go Dawgs!

CFO Jimmy Patronis:

Georgia 34, TCU 24

 

“I believe TCU will punch above their weight class but Georgia’s depth will wear them out in the end. Next year, I predict we’ll be cheering on my Noles in the playoffs and maybe to win it all!”

Sen. Corey Simon:

Georgia 35, TCU 17

 

“I think UGA wins. The lack of depth, size, and experience will catch up to TCU.”

Sachs Media Founder, Ron Sachs:

Georgia 51, TCU 48

 

“I love my UF Gators but I’m an SEC guy all the way — so I’m for the Bulldogs. Even though during my freshman year at UF, the ‘Dogs destroyed my Gators 51-0 in the only Fla-Georgia game I ever attended. Still, I see an offensive explosion by both teams.”

Sachs Media Partner, Director of Public Affairs Herbie Thiele:

TCU 34, Georgia 30

 

“No matter who wins the game, there won’t really be much of a national champ if it’s not Notre Dame. But it’s definitely time for someone to show that there’s more to football than the SEC, so … Go TCU!”

Others weighing in…

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott:

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp:

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

Check back for more updates and predictions.