Michigan Vs TCU: Here's Everything You Need To Know

ANN ARBOR, MI — For the second year in a row, the Michigan Wolverines football team is among the final four teams in the nation playing for a national title. The Wolverines will play the TCU Horned Frogs in the first of two semifinal playoff games on ESPN, Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.

The Wolverines ran their way through the Big Ten en route to an undefeated season that culminated with a second straight win over hated rival Ohio State and a Big Ten Championship. The Horned Frogs, on the other hand, are coming off a heartbreaking Big 12 Championship overtime loss to Kansas State.

With one of the best offensive lines in the country, the Wolverines will look to set the tone early with their run game, setting up play-action opportunities for quarterback J.J. McCarthy to hit the deep ball. The Wolverines relied on their physicality all year, and the Horned Frogs should expect nothing less than Big Ten big men looking to pummel them into submission.

While the Horned Frogs are somewhat less physical in the trenches, they're fast at almost every position. Heisman finalist Max Duggan loves to throw the deep ball, especially to wide reviver Quentin Johnston, who will be a top pick in next year's NFL Draft.

In order to spread the ball across the field, the Horned Frogs may face their toughest challenge holding up front in the trenches to get the zone running game going and give Duggan time to load up.

The Wolverines may not be as fast, but they're strong and physical, and know how to get after the quarterback. The secondary, however, could prove to be the Wolverines' biggest challenge, considering the versatility of the Horn Frogs wide receivers.

The Horned Frogs made a name for themselves this season as a second half team, coming from behind to win numerous close games on their schedule. That is not a recipe the Horn Frogs want to draw up Saturday, as the Wolverines will be the most physical team they will play all year.

Several Horned Frogs comeback wins this season came against Big 12 teams, who typically don't utilize a strong run game and throw the ball all over the place. That's why the Horned Frogs play an unusual 3-3-5 defense, which is designed to stop pass happy Big 12 teams.

The Wolverines do the complete opposite, and could exploit that 3-3-5 defense with its powerful running game. In addition, the Wolverines played better in the second half in virtually every game this season, considering themselves a second half team as well.

For the Horned Frogs to score the upset win, they will have to prove they can play with a late lead and close out the game, since running up the score on the Wolverines will be tough. For the Wolverines, it's simple, control the line of scrimmage on both sides.

The winner will play for a national title against either the Georgia Bulldogs or the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.