Georgia’s follow-up season to its national-championship run in 2021 has been perhaps even more impressive. After sending an NFL-record 15 players to the NFL Draft, the Bulldogs responded by running the table in 2022, dominating against their toughest opponents and setting themselves up to be the first-ever back-to-back College Football Playoff national champion.
It’s reward for that standout 2022 season? Getting matched up with a talented Ohio State team playing with house money.
The Buckeyes were throttled 45-23 at home in their last game of the season to rival Michigan after entering the game ranked second with a Heisman Trophy contender steering one of the game’s most dangerous passing offenses. However, USC’s loss in the Pac-12 championship and Clemson’s loss to South Carolina in the final week of the regular season allowed Ohio State to backdoor its way into the playoff as the No. 4 team, setting up a matchup of two of the most vaunted teams in the country.
While Georgia is favored by a touchdown, don’t expect the Bulldogs to just walk over the Buckeyes.
MORE: OSU’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is capable of dominating the CFP
Georgia is the undefeated No. 1 team for many reasons, but its passing defense ranks only 51st in yards allowed per game among FBS teams. It has also been susceptible to explosive passing plays, having allowed 12 passing plays of more than 40 yards this season (113th among FBS teams).
Ohio State’s passing attack, led by C.J. Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, is ninth in the nation in 40-plus passing plays and 14th in passing yards per game. And without a great pass-rush (only 26 sacks, 67th in the nation), a standout Ohio State offensive line should give Stroud a chance to find his guys in space.
But Georgia isn’t all defense. Their offense has been outstanding this season, ranking ninth in yards per game and 10th in scoring per game. Ohio State’s defense has had nearly as many issues with explosive plays allowed (11 40-plus-yard passing plays) as Georgia, and have not faced receivers like Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey and Darnell Washington this season.
The Sporting News is tracking live scores and highlights from Ohio State vs. Georgia. Follow along for updates from the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal game.
MORE: Watch the College Football Playoff live with fuboTV (free trial)
Ohio State vs. Georgia score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Georgia | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Ohio State vs. Georgia live updates, highlights from College Football Playoff semifinal
(All times Eastern)
8:32 p.m.: Third completion, third first down for the OSU passing game. Stroud hits Emeka Egbuka for a 13-yard gain to the Georgia 34.
8:31 p.m.: Harrison is wide open down the left sideline and makes the easy 24-yard grab at the Georgia 47.
8:28 p.m.: Jack Podlesny’s field goal attempt is wide left from 47 yards out. Ohio State will take over possession at its own 37.
8:28 p.m.: Steele Chambers chases Bennett out of the pocket, and he takes a three-yard loss to bring up a fourth-and-4. Georgia will be out to kick a field goal.
8:26 p.m.: After a six-yard pass, Mitchell is back at it, catching his second pass from Stetson Bennett and taking it up 22 more yards to the Ohio State 35.
8:25 p.m.: Out since Week 2, Mitchell immediately makes his presence felt by hauling in an 11-yard catch to the Georgia 37.
8:24 p.m.: The Bulldogs will begin their drive at the Georgia 26.
8:24 p.m.: The Georgia blitz gets to Stroud as Smael Mondon comes through the offensive line untouched to take down the Buckeyes’ QB. Punt coming up.
8:23 p.m.: A three-yard rush by Dallan Hayden and an incomplete pass out to Harrison, and Ohio State is facing a third-and-7.
8:22 p.m.: C.J. Stroud connects with Marvin Harrison Jr. for an 11-yard pass.
8:21 p.m.: And the Peach Bowl will begin with Ohio State starting at its own 25.
8:19 p.m.: Georgia has won the toss and deferred. Ohio State will start the game on offense.
8:17 p.m.: Ohio State and Georgia have taken the field ahead of tonight’s Peach Bowl matchup with the captains getting ready to come out for the coin toss.
8:06 p.m.: The winner of Georgia-Ohio State will face No. 3 TCU after the Horned Frogs pulled off a stunning upset victory over No. 2 Michigan.
7:43 p.m.: The kickoff for the Peach Bowl is scheduled for around 8:20 p.m. ET with the Fiesta Bowl still ongoing. ESPN has the broadcast for both games.
Kickoff will follow the conclusion of the VRBO Fiesta Bowl with an anticipated 8:20 PM ET Kickoff.#GoDawgs | #CFAPeachBowl
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) January 1, 2023
7:37 p.m.: The teams have taken the field in Atlanta.
Georgia takes the field. Warren McClendon one of the guys leading the Bulldogs out pic.twitter.com/8pEtErBmzl
— Jed May (@JedMay_) January 1, 2023
The Buckeyes take the field in full uni pic.twitter.com/La9Rp71Kfd
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) January 1, 2023
6:40 p.m.: A good sign for Georgia during warmups. Both Ladd McConkey and Adonai Mitchell look alright getting ready for the game. The last time both had a catch in a game: Sept. 10 against Samford. Would be huge to have both starting for the Bulldogs.
WRs Ladd McConkey (knee) and AD Mitchell (ankle) going through warmups without any obvious limitations.
Could be first time in a while for Georgia to have all their top pass-catching options. pic.twitter.com/qMcR2B8DqI— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) December 31, 2022
6:20 p.m.: The last time Ohio State won the College Football Playoff, Urban Meyer was hoisting the trophy. He’s on the sideline again, this time as a Fox analyst before the Buckeyes face the Bulldogs.
Lookie who I found. pic.twitter.com/HBW0SpnlAb
— Rob Oller (@rollerCD) December 31, 2022
Ohio State vs. Georgia start time
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
Kickoff for Ohio State vs. Georgia is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 31. It is the second of the two Playoff games, following the Fiesta Bowl between No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 TCU kicking off at 8 p.m. ET.
What channel is Ohio State vs. Georgia on today?
- TV network (national): ESPN
Ohio State vs. Georgia will be carried nationally on ESPN. Chris Fowler will call play-by-play with Kirk Herbstreit providing analysis. Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge will be the two sideline reporters for the game.
Viewers will have several alternate broadcasts for the game on its MegaCast.
| Telecast | TV channel |
|---|---|
| Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show | ESPN2 |
| Command Center | ESPNU |
| Skycast | ESPNews |
| Spanish-language | ESPN Deportes |
How to live stream College Football Playoff games
In addition, viewers can also find the game with streaming options, including ESPN’s app and with ESPN+. Viewers on ESPN+ can find local hometown radio broadcasts of the games, and an all-22 angle.
There are several other ways to stream ESPN’s broadcast, including fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
| Streaming option | Cable subscription needed? | Free? | Cost | Free trial? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN.com/ESPN app | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Yahoo! Sports App | No | Yes | – | – |
| fuboTV | No | No | $60/month | Yes |
| AT&T TV Now | No | No | $55/month | Yes |
| Hulu Plus Live TV | No | No | $55/month | Yes |
| Sling TV | No | No | $35/month | No |
| YouTube TV | No | No | $65/month | Yes |
College Football Playoff schedule
| Date | Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 31 | Fiesta Bowl (CFP semifinal) | No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU | 4 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV |
| Dec. 31 | Sugar Bowl (CFP semifinal) | No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV |
| Jan. 9 | CFP National Championship Game | TBD vs. TBD | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV |