TCU star is 50-50 to play in national championship game

The big story to watch for TCU going into Monday's national championship game against Georgia will be the status of star running back Kendre Miller.

Miller is dealing with an MCL sprain in his right knee which is reportedly "half-healed."

That will leave him with a 50-50 chance to play in Monday's game.

Miller said on Saturday that he intends to go through pre-game warmups and the decision on his availability will be made after that. 

He was injured in TCU's semifinal win over Michigan where he rushed for 71 yards on eight carries. He did not score a touchdown, ending what had been a 13-game touchdown streak to open the season. 

The key to his availability will be how stable the knee is. He said during media day this weekend that if it is not stabilized, he would not be comfortable playing on it, and that is a big reason why he did not return for the second half of the semifinal game against Michigan. 

Miller is one of TCU's top offensive stars, leading the team with 1,399 rushing yards this season and another 116 receiving. He also scored 17 touchdowns this season, all of them on the ground.

TCU has a very capable backup running back in Emari Demercado who rushed for 622 yards this season, including 150 yards in Miller's absence in the semifinal game. He is perfectly capable of getting the job done, but TCU's offense is obviously better with both of them in the lineup. Especially against a defense -- and team -- as good as Georgia.