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5 bold predictions for Michigan Football against TCU in Fiesta Bowl

By Chris Peterson

Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh hugs Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) following their 45-23 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Michigan Wolverines At Ohio State Buckeyes
Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh hugs Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) following their 45-23 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Michigan Wolverines At Ohio State Buckeyes /
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Michigan football will battle TCU in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl on Saturday and here are five predictions plus a score for the Wolverines against the Horned Frogs. 

The wait is almost over. Michigan football and TCU will finally meet on the field in the College Football Playoff at the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday.

It’s been 27 days as of this writing since Michigan football play a game and it certainly feels like it. But the Wolverines have been practicing in Arizona this week and maybe the best news of all is that the injury situation is looking up.

Mike Morris is much closer to 100 percent and the same can be said about Donovan Edwards. Obviously, Blake Corum is out and that’s a huge bummer for the Wolverines, but outside of that, they are about as healthy as they can be.

The winner of this game will head to the National Championship game and we have broken this one down from all angles. Here’s my turn to make five bold predictions for Michigan football, while also offering a score prediction at the end.

J.J. McCarthy plays better than Max Duggan

This is my first bold prediction and it has a lot to do with Michigan football’s defense. I’m not saying that J.J. McCarthy is better than Heisman finalist Max Duggan.

But McCarthy doesn’t have to play the Michigan defense. TCU is solid defensively too but they are tied for 78th in the FBS in sacks per game and allow 4.1 yards per rushing attempt.

The Horned Frogs are 56th in scoring (25 points allowed) and give up 236 through the air and 1.7 touchdown passes per game. TCU’s secondary is really good led by Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson but Michigan football has so many weapons, McCarthy’s legs included, it won’t matter.

I would expect the tight ends and backs to have a big day. Cornelius Johnson and Ronnie Bell might have a tougher time getting open, but it feels like a great time for Andrel Anthony to deliver a big play.

However, what’s made McCarthy so special is his ability to make impact plays, while also taking care of the football. Max Duggan only has four interceptions this season. McCarthy only has three compared to 20 touchdowns and he’ll play a clean game in the Fiesta Bowl.

I also think he’ll account for close to 300 total yards and three total touchdowns. Duggan is going to have his moments too, but McCarthy will be better at avoiding mistakes.

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