USATSI
TCU’s No. 3 ended the biggest upset in college football playoff history after shocking No. 2 Michigan 51-45 to become the first Big 12 team to ever win a playoff game. The Horned Frogs came into play as 8-point underdogs, according to Caesar’s Sportsbook.
Before TCU’s thrilling victory, the biggest upset in CFP history came in the 2014 semifinals between Alabama and Ohio State when the No. 4 Buckeyes 7-point underdogs against No. 1 Alabama were in the Sugar Bowl but won on their way 42-35 to a national title. TCU was also considered a far bigger underdog than No. 4 Alabama against No. 1 Clemson in 2017 when the Crimson Tide won 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl semifinals.
After giving up a 54-yard run against Donovan Edwards in the first play, TCU took over in Glendale, Arizona. Safety Bud Clark had a pick six and a fumbling recovery in the end zone, while the Horned Frogs’ defense as a whole held the Wolverines’ vaunted offense to just 132 yards with 39 carries after the first game. Heisman finalist quarterback Max Duggan had both two passing and two rushing touchdowns in the win.
Michigan should have pulled off the biggest comeback in CFP history after falling 19 points in the third quarter. However, quarterback JJ McCarthy put together a handful of big throws to give the Wolverines a chance down the stretch. Michigan scored a touchdown with 3:18 left and got the ball back with a chance to take the lead, but TCU forced a turnover on downs to take the win.
Comebacks were not in the Wolverines’ DNA during their magical two-year run. Michigan has not been more than a point behind since losing 11:34 to Georgia in the 2021 college football playoffs. The biggest deficit Michigan has overcome during its two Big Ten championship runs is seven points behind Ohio State and Illinois this season.
TCU now moves on to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship in Los Angeles, California. The last team with the biggest upset in CFP history – Ohio State 2014 – won the national championship. The Frogs have two national championships in program history, but none since 1938.