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3 takeaways from TCU’s Fiesta Bowl win over Michigan

By Michael Thompson

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 31: Dee Winters #13 of the TCU Horned Frogs returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 31: Dee Winters #13 of the TCU Horned Frogs returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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These teams put the Fiesta in Fiesta Bowl!

In arguably the greatest Fiesta Bowl and possibly the most entertaining college football playoff game of all time, the TCU Horned Frogs, despite all those that thought they didn’t belong, prevailed in an epic 51-45 win.

In what many thought would be a ball control battle where TCU would eventually wear down, both teams embraced a shootout for the ages. A Fiesta Bowl record for points and total yards, 96 points, and over 1,000 yards lit up the Glendale night.

The Horned Frogs jumped out to a 21-3 lead, thanks to critical mistakes by Michigan and some fantastic defensive performances by TCU. Every time Michigan looked like they were about to retake the lead, Sonny Dykes and his team had an answer. After Michigan scored their first touchdown on a flea flicker to get Michigan within 5 at 21-16, TCU responded with two scores in 87 seconds to separate again, 34-16.

This insane game was only beginning as Michigan and TCU would continue wild swings that eventually saw the Wolverines with the ball late and down 6, before finally relenting.

Top 3 takeaways from a wild Fiesta Bowl playoff

Will this Cinderella run have a Hollywood ending?

Speaking Hollywood, on January 9th TCU, once a 200-1 odds of winning the national championship, will be playing in Los Angeles against either Georgia or Ohio State for all the marbles.

They may not want to be considered a Cinderella, but it truly is an incredible story for head coach Sonny Dykes in his first season as head coach in Fort Worth.

Dykes, Heisman runner-up Max Duggan and this team are a story that college football has not seen in a long time. In an era dominated by the core four of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Clemson, it is frankly refreshing to see someone new competing for a national championship.

Now the big question is, does TCU have a chance in the national championship? They are a sizable underdog to Georgia (-13), but I say be careful whoever faces them at SoFi Stadium. This TCU team is clearly one of the absolute best teams in college football, they deserved to be in the playoff and will have a legitimate chance to claim their first championship since 1938.

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