Georgia scored on its first five possessions and forced three turnovers to trounce Michigan, 34-11, in the Orange Bowl.
Miami Gardens, Fla. — It was never just about getting here, not as far as the Michigan players were concerned. They had set out from before the season to beat Ohio State, win a Big Ten championship and a national championship. The Wolverines checked off two of those goals. But No.3 Georgia, had other plans in the Orange Bowl national semifinal Friday night. Georgia choked No.2 Michigan 34-11 after storming to a 17-0 lead at Hard Rock Stadium to advance to the national championship and a rematch with Alabama. The Tide handed the Bulldogs their only loss this season in the Southeastern Conference title game. Georgia, led by its outstanding defense, had been the No.1 CFP team until that loss. “They played a heck of a game in all phases,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I loved the way our guys fought. It wasn’t our best but certainly was theirs. They played extremely well.” The Bulldogs had touchdown receptions of 57 and 39 yards against Michigan, the latter coming with just more than 11 minutes in the game on a pass from Stetson Bennett to James Cook. Not long after that touchdown, the Georgia fans began chanting, “S E C.» More: Watch: Highlights from Michigan-Georgia in the Orange Bowl Michigan, unranked in the preseason, finishes 12-2 in Harbaugh’s seventh season. He led the team to the program’s first Big Ten championship since 2004 and finally got a win against Ohio State. But the Wolverines wanted more, namely, a spot at the big table with a chance at the national championship. “It was a great season,” Harbaugh said. “To me, it’s one of the best seasons in Michigan football history. We were trying to make it greater. But it was still a great season. “This team won’t be together fully next season. It’s still a beginning for this team. It’ll be anew this year. Start of a new year. (There’s a) ton of resolve with this football team and to me, it feels like a start. Feels like a beginning.” Cade McNamara, Michigan’s starting quarterback, was 11-of-19 for 106 yards and two interceptions.
