The College Football Playoff semifinals are finally here, with the Fiesta Bowl kicking things off on Saturday with a matchup between No. 2 Michigan (13-0) and No. 3 TCU (12-1).
And we’ve already had at least one very large prediction submitted:
Michigan, the Big Ten champion, is making its second straight College Football Playoff appearance in search of its first national title since 1997. The Wolverines lost in the semifinals to Georgia last season in the Orange Bowl. TCU is in the playoff for the first time after starting the season unranked under first-year coach Sonny Dykes. The Horned Frogs would be the first Big 12 team to win a CFP game.
[Related: Everything to know about the CFP semis]
The winner will advance to the national championship game on Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where it will face the winner of the Peach Bowl game later Saturday between No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Ohio State.
Here are the highlights from the Fiesta Bowl.
… and we’re off!
On the first play from scrimmage, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards shot through the TCU defense for a 54-yard carry.
HUGE stand
Shortly after the big run, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy scrambled to the TCU 2-yard line on third-and-7. Michigan chose to go for it on fourth down but had its trick play denied by the TCU defense.
Pick-Six!
TCU went three-and-out after the goal-line stand, but then disaster struck for Michigan.
On the first play of the ensuing possession, McCarthy’s pass was intercepted by safety Bud Clark, who ran the pick back 41 yards for a TCU touchdown.
Bully ball
Michigan went three-and-out after the pick-six. TCU fared much differently on its next drive.
The Horned Frogs put together a 12-play touchdown drive that ended with a trio of runs from quarterback Max Duggan, who threw for 38 yards on the drive. TCU took a 14-0 lead.
Chaotic sequence
McCarthy hit tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and Colston Loveland for a pair of completions that combined for 48 yards and set up a 42-yard field goal from kicker Jake Moody.
On the first play of TCU’s next possession, Duggan’s pass was tipped and intercepted by defensive back Rod Moore. Then McCarthy hit wide receiver Roman Wilson for what was originally ruled a 49-yard touchdown. After further review, though, Wilson was ruled down at the 1-yard line.
Then linebacker Kalel Mullings came in for the carry and fumbled. TCU recovered the loose ball for a touchback.
Take a breath.
Pregame scene
Stay tuned for highlights!
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