Sonny Dykes (HC):
TCU certainly made the hire of the season with Sonny Dykes. After the controversial decision to leave SMU for rival TCU, Dykes has transformed TCU’s program to a national championship caliber team. Dykes is an offensive minded coach and his system has allowed players like Max Duggan, Quentin Johnston, and Kendre Miller to have career years and significantly boost their NFL draft stock. The coaching battle between Dykes and Smart will be critical in determining who brings home the National Championship Trophy.
Max Duggan (QB #15): The Heisman trophy finalist deserves all the credit in the world for leading TCU to the national championship game. Duggan came into the 2022 season as the backup, but he took over the starting job in the second game of the season and never looked back. The TCU gunslinger has thrown for 3,546 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. Duggan has a big frame and is a physical runner as well. On the ground, he has carried the ball 127 times for 461 yards and 8 touchdowns. Stopping TCU’s electric offense begins with limiting Duggan’s playmaking ability.
Quentin Johnston (WR #1): Johnston might be the best receiver in the Country. The TCU pass catcher is every bit of 6-4 and is the projected first receiver off the board come the NFL draft. Johnston has reeled in 59 catches for 1,066 yards and 6 touchdowns. Johnston’s best performance of the year came when it mattered most against Michigan where he had 163 receiving yards and a touchdown. Johnston is excellent in contested catch scenarios, is a smooth route runner, and is remarkably fast. The Dawgs’ secondary will have their hands full with TCU’s number 1.
Johnny Hodges (LB #57): Hodges is TCU’s leading tackler on the season with 81 total tackles. The Navy transfer was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year this season and has had multiple dominant defensive performances, most notably against Texas, where he had 11 tackles. Hodges helped hold Texas’ offense to just three points. Despite TCU allowing 45 points to Michigan, Hodges flies around the field and will be a matchup to watch in coverage against Georgia’s tight ends.
Bud Clark (S #26): Clark is a sophomore safety in TCU’s famed 3-3-5 defense. He is the definition of a ball hawk as the talented defensive back has a team high five interceptions this season. One of those interceptions was a beautiful pick six against Michigan. Stetson Bennett will need to be aware of Clark’s positioning as the Horned Frog’s safety will be looking to cash in on any errant passes.
Josh Newton (CB #24): Newton is another defensive back that will be worth watching come January 9th. This year, the junior has three interceptions to his name and has tallied 12 passe. S defended (forced incompletions). Newton is extremely impressive in coverage and will test Georgia’s talented receivers and tight ends.