Ranking 2022-23 College Football Playoff, NY6 bowls by watchability
1. Fiesta Bowl (Michigan vs. TCU)
In my opinion, this year’s Fiesta Bowl and playoff semifinal are the pièce de résistance of the bowl season. I told you I was a sucker for classic bowls and underdog teams, and this one has all of that and so much more.
Let’s start with TCU. The Horned Frogs are the story of the college football season. Under first year head coach Sonny Dykes, the Frogs have battled through the toughest schedule of the season, only to have lost their final game of the season in the Big 12 Championship by mere inches.
That close loss shouldn’t take away from the fact that this team has been a blast to watch, and is fully capable of winning the Fiesta Bowl. The defense and special teams play hard, but it’s their creativity and emotion on offense that makes you believe.
Quarterback Max Duggan has had one of the most shocking rises to stardom that we have seen this season, accumulating nearly 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns on the season en route to being a Heisman finalist. The never say die attitude and red hair definitely bring back good memories to the TCU faithful.
When Duggan doesn’t have the ball, it’s likely in the hands of star running Kendre Miller who has 17 touchdowns, or potential top-10 draft pick receiver Quentin Johnston. When healthy, as he’s expected to be for the semifinal, Johnston is the most imposing player on the field and draws comparisons to DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks.
This team surprised everyone, but don’t be surprised if they beat Michigan.
Speaking of the Wolverines, did you know that Jim Harbaugh has not won a bowl game since New Year’s Day in the Citrus Bowl back in 2016? This year may be his best chance to break that streak.
While last year was a magical season that got Michigan back on the map, this year has been all business for Harbaugh’s men. They had four goals this season: beat Michigan State, beat Ohio State, win the Big Ten, and win the national championship — three down, one to go.
The Wolverines were cold and calculated on their journey. They moved on from last year’s quarterback Cade McNamara for the younger, but more talented JJ McCarthy. They rode on the back of stud running back Blake Corum to the finish line of the season before losing him to injury and not skipping a beat. They bullied the Buckeyes in Columbus in a way we have not seen in ages. Make no mistake, Michigan is back and better than ever.
The Wolverines boast the seventh-best offense in the country and the fifth-best defense. This team is littered with future first-round picks throughout their roster. They are favored and expected to beat TCU, but you have to wonder if they are not looking ahead to a revenge opportunity with Georgia.
At the end of the day, it’s willpower versus methodical, Duggan and Harbaugh’s energy in the desert. This may be one of the better semifinal playoff matchups we have seen in the soon-to-be-extinct four-team playoff.
Enjoy the bowls and the playoff, college football fans.