By Aaron J. Thornton
Michigan’s first trip to the College Football Playoffs didn’t go nearly as planned, as #3 Georgia put together a dominant first half that led to a Bulldogs 43-11 victory at Hard Rock Stadium down in Miami, Florida. Georgia was definitely the better prepared team, and their swarming defense held Michigan to just three points in the first half.
Georgia scored on its first four possessions of the game, with Michigan only having an answer of a field goal midway thru the second quarter. The Bulldogs Quarterback Stetson Bennett was hot, completing his first nine passes of the game and easily moving his team down the field. By halftime, the Wolverines were in unfamiliar territory, down 24 points, and trailing at the break for the first time this season. Michigan Running Backs Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum were held to just 12 and -1 yards at the half. The offense was shut down, and the defense couldn’t stop Georgia’s offensive attack.
The second half of the game didn’t play out much better. Despite the Wolverines defense holding Georgia to just seven points, the offense couldn’t put together any type of comeback effort. Michigan final got into the end zone for their first touchdown in the last period, a connection by two of Michigan’s Freshman, Quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Receiver Andrel Anthony, for a 35 yard score. The Wolverines would successfully go for the two point conversion, giving the team some positive for the game.
In the end, Michigan needed to play their best game to beat the Bulldogs and that just didn’t happen. The Wolverines fought throughout the entire game but the story line was about Georgia’s stifling defense, who forced 3 turnovers, and took the air out of Michigan’s offense that had outperformed their competition in most of their other games in the season. Georgia took control of the game early and never looked back. They had a couple of big plays but played a solid balanced game overall. Michigan’s defense, led by Heisman trophy finalist Aiden Hutchinson, had zero sacks in the game and couldn’t get much pressure on the Georgia QB.
After the game, Corum told the crowd that Michigan would be back (to the Playoffs again in the future). Coach Jim Harbaugh praised his team for the accomplishments of the season and stated “it was one of the best seasons in Michigan Football history”.
Georgia (13-1) will go on to the title game on January 10, 2022 for a rematch with Alabama (13-1) who won in the other semi-final game against Cincinnati earlier in the day. The Bulldogs loss to the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship game a month ago. Michigan (12-2) finishes the season with their first 12 win season under Harbaugh that includes his first win over Ohio State and first Big Ten Championship in his tenure.
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