Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) catches a touchdown pass over TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Josh Newton (24) during the first half in the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

TCU ripped for no-show in first half of CFP final

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/9/23

The College Football Playoff final got out of hand in a hurry with Georgia building a 38-7 halftime lead over TCU. The Horned Frogs ugly showing led to harsh criticism online.

TCU finding out real quick they aren't playing a Big 10 team.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) January 10, 2023

See, this is what ticks me off. I knew @TCUFootball was the inferior team — but I went with the Cinderella pick. A loss is cool, especially to a powerhouse like @GeorgiaFootball. But to get your ass kicked shows me ya never belonged in the game to begin with.#Damn!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 10, 2023

TCU's defense right now pic.twitter.com/4RClKyNoM2
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 10, 2023

TCU first half pic.twitter.com/0OvuhJZFLN
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) January 10, 2023

TCU at the half pic.twitter.com/c9vYxfY2ns
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) January 10, 2023

Advocating for a Georgia intrasquad scrimmage in second half. Let TCU quietly depart and get on a plane.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 10, 2023

The Horned Frogs were the largest underdog in either the BCS or CFP championship game history and played down to expectations in the first half.

Georgia scored on each of its six first-half possessions, including five touchdowns.

QB Stetson Bennett led the charge with two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns. He was 13-of-17 for 213 yards in the first half and added three carries for 39 yards. The defense forced three turnovers and the Bulldogs outgained the Horned Frogs 354-121.

As ESPN Stats & Info notes, over the past 15 seasons, teams that trail by at least 31 points at the half have a record of 1-530. The one win happened to be TCU in the 2016 Alamo Bowl.

Over the last 15 seasons, FBS teams who are trailing by at least 31 points at halftime are 1-530. The lone win was by TCU in the 2016 Alamo Bowl against Oregon.

TCU trailed 31-0 at halftime but rallied to win 47-41 in 3OT.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 10, 2023

Anything's possible in college football, but a Horned Frogs comeback against the Bulldogs seems entirely out of reach. If this were a boxing match, the referee would call this game in favor of Georgia at the half.

Georgia is a heavyweight. TCU looks as light as a feather.

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