There haven’t been many juicier semifinals in college football playoff history than Georgia vs. Ohio State in the Peach Bowl.
Events in the semi-finals have been regular, with a combined six appearances over the past six seasons. Both quarterbacks, Stetson Bennett and CJ Stroud, were Heisman Trophy finalists. The Bulldogs have stars in their defense. The Buckeyes bounced back with one of the great receiving corps in college football.
There is also some history involved with Georgia aiming to become the first team to repeat as national champions since Alabama in 2011–12. Ohio State, which last won a playoff title earlier in 2014, is looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Michigan in its regular season finale.
Here are our predictions for who will make it to the National Championship game.
Scooby Axon
Follow all the games: Latest NCAA College Football Scores & Schedule
Last time we saw Ohio State, their defense spent most of the game trying to get the ball in the hands of any of Michigan’s skilled players. A month away from that shame is a chance to regain health, if nothing else. Ohio State has the talent to score against anyone in the country, but the problem will be its tendency to try to stop Georgia and dominate teams. And on the sidelines, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart has been teaching a master class on how to prepare for an opponent for the past two seasons. Georgia 41, Ohio State 28,
Key to Win:How Georgia and Ohio State Can Win the Peach Bowl
Impossible Star:Georgia’s Stetson Bennett Is College Football’s Biggest Story
Second Chance:Georgia gives Ohio State the ability to silence skeptics
Peach Bowl preview:Could Ohio State Get Georgia After Pardon?
Paul Myrberg
The way Michigan bullied Ohio State paints an ugly picture for the Buckeyes’ odds against Georgia. After that collapse, it’s impossible to pick Ohio State straight face to face. But maybe CJ Stroud will make a great performance. Maybe Marvin Harrison and the other Buckeyes receivers hit deep. Maybe the defense can step up and somehow slow down the Bulldogs’ NFL-ready roster. Maybe Ohio State can find something deep and pull off an upset. But probably not. Probably not, actually. Georgia 34, Ohio State 24,
Eric Smith
There’s a real opportunity here for Ohio State. With CJ Stroud and an elite group of receivers, the Buckeyes can move the ball against Georgia. But the offensive line should be good enough to protect Stroud and carry the Bulldogs around in order to set up the running game. Definitely easier said than done. Don’t rule out the possibility of Ohio State doing what Alabama did last year with Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, especially if the Bulldogs are overconfident. That being said, the boa constrictor approach of the defending champions should be too much in the end as the Buckeyes will have to play a nearly perfect game and that’s a lot to ask. Georgia 31, Ohio State 23,
Eddie Timans
Entering the playoffs after a loss is not necessarily a predictor of poor results. Ask Georgia. The problem for Ohio State, however, is that the Bulldogs are perfectly built to exploit the Buckeyes in the same way that Michigan did. Slowing down Georgia’s power play should be the number one priority, but Stetson Bennett has the weapons to make plays on the field as well. sounds familiar? The Buckeyes would score some points, but the Buckeyes would not be able to beat the Bulldog secondary all night. Georgia 41, Ohio State 23,
cloud again
The Buckeyes have a few matchups going for them and could possibly pull off an upset if they play their A-plus game and Georgia is a short way away. But at the end of the day, running the ball and guarding CJ Stroud is going to be very difficult. It is very easy to see that Georgia is systematically undermining Ohio State. Georgia 34, Ohio State 16,
