Maybe put to rest the “SEC is overrated” talk for a few months.
Following Alabama’s beatdown of Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl, the expectation was that No. 2 Michigan would at least give No. 3 Georgia a challenge, even with the Dawgs favored by 7 ½ points. Not only did Michigan fail to challenge Georgia from the start, they didn’t even put up a fight.
From the opening kickoff, Michigan was outclassed, meekly ending their season in a 34-11 loss to Georgia.
On their first drive of the game, Georgia’s superior speed was evident, quickly marching down the field to score on a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stetson Bennett to Brock Bowers. And the offense continued to roll from there. The Bulldogs scored on their first five possessions of the game — a first in the history of the College Football Playoff — including on a 57-yard touchdown from Bennett to Jermaine Burton with 1:38 to go in the second quarter, essentially putting the game on ice as Georgia went up 27-3.
All the questions regarding Bennett’s capabilities to lead Georgia were put to bed early, as he lit up Michigan’s defense early and often. In the first half alone, Bennett threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns, completing 16 of his 22 passes.
Michigan got the ball to start the second half, needing to get into the end zone to stay in the game. After driving down to the Georgia 19-yard-line, Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara threw a bizarre interception in the endzone, ending any chance of a miracle comeback. It was the second interception of the night for McNamara.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
TURNOVER Cade McNamara intercepted by Derion Kendrick in the end zone for a touchback<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoDawgs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoDawgs</a> 27 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBlue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBlue</a> 3 Q3 <a href="https://t.co/aQkRp4NSTW">pic.twitter.com/aQkRp4NSTW</a>
&mdash; Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sports_24x7_/status/1477107723619778561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
On the following possession, Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean forced a Blake Corrum fumble, with Georgia recovering for the third turnover of the game.
It was a bounceback game for Georgia&#8217;s vaunted defense, shredded by Alabama’s offense in the SEC Championship Game. Even after giving up 536 yards to Bama, Georgia’s defense entered the Orange Bowl second in the country in yards allowed per game (254.4), third in rushing yards per game (81.7), and first in points allowed per game (9.5) by a wide margin.
They surrendered just 16 first downs and 321 yards to Michigan, reasserting themselves as the top defense in the country.
Bennett finished the night 20-30 for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Running back James Cook had four catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, adding 32 yards on the ground.
Georgia moves on to the National Championship Game on January 10, hoping to give head coach Kirby Smart his first win against Nick Saban and Georgia&#8217;s first championship since 1980.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/alabama-ends-cincinnatis-undefeated-season-moves-on-to-national-championship">Alabama Ends Cincinnati&#8217;s Undefeated Season, Moves On To National Championship</a>
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to sports@dailywire.com.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Georgia Pounds Michigan, Earns Rematch With Alabama For National Title

CONTINUE READING

Vin Scully, Hall Of Fame Dodgers Announcer Of 67 Years, Dead At 94

WATCH: Madison Bumgarner Held Back By Teammates After Bizarre Ejection

‘People On Fox News Talk About Athletes That Way’: Host’s Draymond Green Comments Set Off ESPN Analyst

Jacksonville Jaguars Owner Rips Urban Meyer, Says He Lost Respect

WATCH: Touching Gesture Leads To Viral Moment For Young Yankees Fan

‘Dillon Brooks Broke The Code’: Warriors Head Coach Incensed After ‘Dirty’ Play

News and Commentary

College Football

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News and Commentary —

Georgia Pounds Michigan, Earns Rematch With Alabama For National Title