INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Xavier Truss #73 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with teammates after a touchdown in the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Record Books

On January 9, 2023, Georgia claimed their fourth college football national championship. They also became the eighth school in college football history to win back-to-back titles, with the last being Alabama in 2011. Although Georgia was favored to win, no one foresaw how badly the Bulldogs mauled the Frogs. This game set countless NCAA football records, such as:

  • Largest blowout in the College Football Championship with 58 points. This crushed the previous record held by the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers when they beat Florida in the Fiesta Bowl 62 – 24 (38 points).
  • They also set the most points scored by a team in the College Football Championship with 65, beating again in 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers.
  • Quarterback Stetson Bennett finished the game with six total touchdowns, tying Joe Burrow for the most in the CFP national title game in 2019. He had 304 passing yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-25, adding two rushing touchdowns.
  • Georgia has the second most rushing yards in the championship game (in the CFP era) with 254 yards, beating out the 2017 Alabama that had 221 yards.
  • Georgia has the third most net yards passing two games, with 733 yards. This beats out the 2016 Clemson team that had 685 yards.
  • Georgia, with the win in the national championship, placed fourth for the most combined offense, with 589 total offenses.
  • Georgia scored the most touchdowns in the CFP era with nine total touchdowns. Beating out the 2021 Alabama team, who drop seven touchdowns against Ohio State.
2023 National championship: Georgia, Stetson Bennett overpower TCU for most dominant victory of title game era - CBSSports.com
(QB Stetson Bennett – CBS Sports)

Stats

QB Stetson Bennett threw for 304 yards on 18-25 accuracy and had six touchdowns in the game (2 rushing and 4 passing). His top receiver Brock Bowers has 152 yards on seven catches and recorded one touchdown. Javon Bullard would have two interceptions in the game on the defense side of the ball for Georgia. TCU QB and Heisman runner-up Max Duggan would throw for 152 yards on 14/22 passes. He threw two interceptions and no touchdowns during the game. However, he did record a rushing touchdown (the only point TCU would record during the game). His top receiver Derius Davis had 101 yards on five receptions, with a long of 60 yards. 

Georgia would put up 589 yards of total offense with 254 yards of rushing and 335 passing yards. TCU would only put up 188 yards of total offense with 33 rushing yards and 152 passing yards. Georgia would beat TCU in 1st downs, 3rd down efficiency, 4th down efficiency, and possession.

BACK-TO-BACK: Georgia Bulldogs win 2nd national championship in row beating TCU
(Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart holding up the trophy – FOX 5 Atlanta)

With the win, Georgia has made itself one of college football’s greatest dynasties, and this Georgia will undoubtedly go down as one of if not the greatest college football ever. As for TCU, it is hard to see if they will make the CFP any soon, with this season being one of many miracles for the TCU bullfrogs. According to ESPN’s “Way-too-Early Rankings,” they are ranked 12th. In addition, next year, TCU will lose their Heisman finalist QB Max Duggan, RB Kendre Miller, and WR Quentin Johnston. It is hard to see them make it back to this stage any time soon. As for Georgia, they are still ranked 1st. However, they will lose significant players like DT Jalen Carter, CB Kelee Ringo, OT Broderick Jones, and QB Stetson Bennett. They currently rank 2nd for the 2023 recruiting class, only behind Alabama. The future of Georgia is less clear than many will think. However, Georgia will undoubtedly remain a dominant force for years to come.