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Fiesta Bowl 2022: Updated Odds and Comments for Michigan vs. TCU
Dec 22, 2022
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sidelines during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan has never won a College Football Playoff game. The Wolverines lost in their CFP debut in the 2021 season, falling to Georgia in the Orange Bowl, which was a semifinal matchup.
TCU has never played in a College Football Playoff game. The Horned Frogs have mostly struggled since the four-team format was introduced ahead of the 2014 season.
One of these programs will soon be notching its first CFP win and advancing to play for the national championship. Which one will it be? That will be decided on Dec. 31.
No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 TCU are set to face off in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on New Year's Eve. The winner will advance to face the victor of the Peach Bowl, which features a matchup between No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Ohio State.
Here's all of the latest information on this year's Fiesta Bowl, including odds, comments and more.
Fiesta Bowl Odds
Spread: Michigan (-8)
Over/Under: 58.5 total points
Moneyline: Michigan -305 (bet $305 to win $100); TCU +255 (bet $100 to win $255)
Michigan has rolled through the 2022 season, winning each of its first 13 games. It won a big matchup against Ohio State to end the regular season, then took down Purdue in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Now, the Wolverines will face a challenging opponent in TCU. Although the Horned Frogs lost to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game, they won each of their 12 games before that. So the Fiesta Bowl has the potential to be a competitive game.
If Michigan is going to end up on top, it likely will need to find a way to limit the production of TCU senior quarterback Max Duggan, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist and is having a stellar season.
"We'll be fired up to compete against a relentless competitor like him," Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh said, per Josh Henschke of Maize & Blue Review.
Duggan has passed for 3,321 yards, 30 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 13 games. He's also rushed for 405 yards and six scores.
The talented QB is the primary reason why TCU led the Big 12 in points (40.3) and total yards (473) this season.
"Nothing but tremendous respect for the type of competitor that he is," Harbaugh said, per Henschke. "And it's going to be a huge challenge getting ready for a quarterback like that. All I have seen is just relentless competitor, super-talented, tremendous effort."
But Michigan's defense has excelled in tough matchups already this season. The Wolverines have allowed only 277.1 total yards per game, which ranked third best among FBS teams. Their 13.4 points allowed per contest ranked fifth.
In 13 games, Michigan has allowed more than 17 points only three times.
Duggan is ready for the challenge. Not only because the Wolverines have been dominant this season, but because the school has thrived for so many years.
"You get to play a great program that has so much history, and that's what you want," Duggan said, per The Athletic's Sam Khan Jr. "You want to play the best."
Michigan has had steady leadership for quite some time. Harbaugh took over as the head coach at his alma mater ahead of the 2015 season, and it took him no time to get the program on track. The Wolverines have won 10 or more games in five of his eight seasons at the helm, including his first two and the past two.
Sonny Dykes is also having immediate success at TCU. He took over as the Horned Frogs' head coach prior to the 2022 campaign. Before that, they hadn't won more than seven games in any of the previous four seasons.
"It's been quite a journey from where we were this time last year to where we are today," Dykes said, per Khan. "You got to give our players and everybody associated with our program a ton of credit for just believing and doing things the right way."
On Dec. 31, one of these two teams will be taking another big step forward and moving on to the CFP National Championship Game, which is set for Jan. 9. And at that point, they'll be only one win away from a national title.
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TCU's Sonny Dykes Named 2022 AP College Football Coach of the Year After CFP Berth
Dec 19, 2022
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs watches from the sidelines as TCU takes on the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Associated Press on Monday named TCU's Sonny Dykes its Coach of the Year for the 2022 season.
The Horned Frogs claimed the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff after going 12-1 in the regular season. Their success helped make Dykes a runaway winner for the award. He collected 37 out of 46 first-place votes.
"It's the ultimate team award," Dykes said to the AP's Ralph D. Russo. "It's indicative of literally everybody in our office, coaches, players, everybody, because more so than ever in college football it is truly a team effort."
Dykes had massive shoes to fill when he made the move to TCU from SMU.
As much as the program had stagnated under Gary Patterson, Patterson is still the program's winningest coach (181-79). Under his watch, the Horned Frogs won six conference titles and earned victories in the 2011 Rose Bowl and 2014 Peach Bowl.
After TCU went 5-7 for the second time in three years in 2021, it looked like Dykes would need at least a year or two to get things on track.
Not only did the 53-year-old provide immediate results, but he also did so without significantly upending the roster through the transfer portal. The Frogs' leading passer (Max Duggan), rusher (Kendre Miller) and receiver (Quentin Johnston) were all holdovers. The same was true for linebacker Dee Winters and safety Bud Clark, who led the team in sacks and interceptions.
Dykes told Russo the Horned Frogs "really had no expectations whatsoever when the year started." That attitude probably changed after his squad dropped 55 points on Oklahoma to improve to 4-0. It was the first of four straight wins over Top 20 opponents.
Regardless of what happens in the playoff, this has been one of TCU's best seasons, and no Power Five program overachieved more.
TCU QB Max Duggan to Enter 2023 NFL Draft After College Football Playoff
Dec 18, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 10: Quarterback Max Duggan of the TCU Horned Frogs speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the 2022 Heisman Trophy Presentation at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan is ready to take his talents to the next level.
The senior announced on Twitter that he will be declaring for the 2023 NFL draft after the College Football Playoff. The third-ranked Horned Frogs will face No. 2 Michigan in a semifinal game on Saturday Dec. 31.
While Duggan played in at least 10 games in each of the last four seasons, he still had a full season of eligibility remaining because of COVID-19 and the extra year the NCAA extended to student-athletes. However, it appears he's confident in his chances at being drafted highly after his stellar showing throughout the 2022 campaign.
Duggan led TCU to a 12-1 record, the team's most wins since 2014. However, the Horned Frogs lost to Kansas State in the Big 12 championship on a game-winning field goal in overtime.
The 6'2", 210-pound signal-caller threw for 3,321 yards, 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions to become the first TCU player since 2014 to be named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He also won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the first player in program history to win either accolade.
Duggan was the first TCU player since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2000 to be named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He finished second in the voting behind USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
After a banner year, it comes as no surprise that Duggan wants to test his skills at the professional level. His performance against the Wolverines could be an audition for the NFL, as he will be up against one of the top defensive units in the country.
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Fiesta Bowl 2022: Latest Odds, Prediction for Michigan vs. TCU Playoff
Dec 10, 2022
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards warms up before the start of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game between Michigan and Purdue, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Last season, Michigan made its debut in the College Football Playoff. It didn't end up being a great showing for the Wolverines, though, as they lost in lopsided fashion to Georgia in the Orange Bowl, a semifinal matchup.
That performance didn't stop the program's momentum, however.
On Dec. 31, No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 TCU will meet in the Fiesta Bowl with a berth in the CFP National Championship Game on the line at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Here's everything else you need to know heading into this year's Fiesta Bowl.
Latest Fiesta Bowl Odds
Spread: Michigan -8
Over/Under: 58.5 points
Moneyline: Michigan -305 (bet $305 to win $100); TCU +255 (bet $100 to win $255)
Georgia isn't the only team entering the College Football Playoff as an undefeated conference champion. Michigan has been just as impressive throughout the 2022 season.
The Wolverines are 13-0 heading into the Fiesta Bowl, and they've mostly dominated their opponents. They took down Ohio State in the regular-season finale to earn a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, where they then cruised to victory against Purdue.
However, Michigan will be without its star running back in the CFP. Junior Blake Corum is out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
But the Wolverines have had a suitable replacement in their past two games. Sophomore Donovan Edwards has rushed for 401 yards and three touchdowns in Michigan's past two victories.
Michigan will likely need to rely on Edwards in its matchup against TCU, which has had an impressive season in its own right.
The Horned Frogs won their first 12 games of the season, which set them up for a matchup against Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game. They lost to the Wildcats 31-28 in overtime, but the CFP selection committee determined that TCU was still deserving of the No. 3 seed.
Senior quarterback Max Duggan, a four-year starter for the Horned Frogs, has passed for 3,321 yards, 30 touchdowns and four interceptions, which earned him a spot as one of the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
The Fiesta Bowl could be a significant step up for Duggan and the offense, though. Michigan's defense is allowing only 277.1 total yards per game, which is the third-fewest among all FBS teams.
The Wolverines may shut down the Horned Frogs at times. And with some of Michigan's players having previously experienced the CFP, it's in good shape to fare better than it did at the end of last season.
The Wolverines will run the ball well and play strong defense (as they so often do) and handily win the Fiesta Bowl. Then, they may have a rematch against Georgia awaiting them in the CFP National Championship Game.
Prediction: Michigan 34, TCU 17
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Report: Sonny Dykes, TCU Agree to New Contract After College Football Playoff Berth
Dec 7, 2022
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs watches from the sidelines as TCU takes on the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
TCU has agreed to a new contract with football head coach Sonny Dykes that will keep him under contract through 2028, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN.
In his first year with the team, Dykes led the Horned Frogs to a 12-1 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. The squad is scheduled to face Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31.
It's been a major turnaround after TCU finished 5-7 under Gary Patterson and Jerry Kill.
Patterson had been the team's coach since 2001, helping the program transition from Conference USA to the Mountain West to the Big 12, but the team had just a 16-18 record over his last three years.
The longtime coach parted ways with the team last October after falling to 3-5 on the year.
Dykes has rejuvenated the program in his first year, leading the squad to a 12-0 regular-season record before an overtime loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 title game. The offense ranks sixth in the country at 40.3 points per game, while quarterback Max Duggan was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after totaling 30 passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns with only four interceptions this year.
The squad now has a chance to win its first national championship since 1938.
Prior to joining TCU, Dykes spent 11 combined seasons as head coach of Louisiana Tech, California and SMU. He went 30-17 across four full years at SMU with 25 wins over his last three seasons.
Heisman Race 2022: List of Finalists for Coveted Trophy Announced
Dec 5, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
USC's Caleb Williams, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Georgia's Stetson Bennett and TCU's Max Duggan will be heading to New York City for the 2022 Heisman Trophy ceremony after being named finalists Monday.
By this point in the season, the consensus has typically coalesced around one player as the Heisman favorite. Perhaps the voting will ultimately be pretty one-sided, but this seems to be a somewhat open race, especially after a topsy-turvy final few weeks.
Stroud's candidacy might have suffered a fatal blow with Ohio State's 45-23 loss to Michigan, a game that saw him finish 31-of-48 for 349 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
It's not often a player finishes significantly higher on the Heisman ballot—Stroud was fourth in 2021—after posting worse numbers than the year before.
In the same number of games, the Buckeyes star has 1,095 fewer passing yards (3,340), fewer touchdowns (37) and worse efficiency (66.2 percent completion rate and a 176.2 passer rating).
Williams became the front-runner with Stroud's campaign losing steam, only for USC to fall in the Pac-12 title game and miss out on a College Football Playoff berth.
The sophomore shouldn't shoulder much blame for the 47-24 defeat. He played through a hamstring injury and went 28-of-41 for 363 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and he was a bystander as the Trojans defense allowed 533 yards to the Utah offense.
If anything, the outcome underscored Williams' value to the team and how much his performance helped compensate for a suspect defense. In 13 games, he threw for 4,075 yards, 37 touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for 372 yards and 10 scores.
Of the players still in the Heisman discussion, Bennett unquestionably had the best championship week. He threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns as Georgia dropped 50 points on LSU in the SEC title game.
It might have come far too late to change the minds of the voters, though. The Bulldogs quarterback didn't put up gaudy numbers (3,425 passing yards and 20 touchdowns) overall.
The same goes for Duggan.
The senior quarterback undoubtedly played a massive role in TCU finishing 12-1 and reaching the CFP semifinals, but it's tough to make a case for why he was the most outstanding player in FBS. Duggan posted 3,321 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and a 165.5 passer rating in the regular season.
The Heisman will be handed out Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
