Will the TCU Horned Frogs be forced to try to win their first College Football Playoff championship without Kendre Miller? The dynamic running back, who suffered a knee injury last week during their semifinal win against the Michigan Wolverines, said he has a 50-50 chance to play in the TCU-Georgia CFP national championship game Monday night.
“[Sunday] definitely is going to be pretty much the deciding factor if I can go or not, but I’m going to definitely try,” Miller told ESPN on Saturday. “It’s kind of like a 50-50, but I’ll most definitely suit up either way and try.”
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Kendre Miller Injury Update: TCU-Georgia
Miller, who has a sprained MCL in his right knee, said doctors have left the decision to play up to him. He said he will be in uniform and take part in warmups before making a decision.
Not having Miller against Georgia would be a huge blow for TCU, which is almost a two-touchdown underdog. Miller rushed for 1,399 yards on 224 carries this season, adding 116 yards receiving. His 17 touchdowns were eighth in the nation.
In the 51-45 win against Michigan, Miller rushed eight times for 57 yards. In his absence, backup Emari Demercado carried 17 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Demercado attended Downey High School, which is just 17 miles away from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where the CFP National Championship will be played.
“For me, that’s something special,” Demercado told WFAA. “I’ve been walking around telling people like it’s something scripted … my last college game, I get to go right down the road from my house. It’s just a surreal feeling, and I’m excited for it.”
Per the Stokastic DFS tools, Miller ($15,000, DraftKings) is projected to score 10.55 points, with Demercado ($10,000) at 9.57 points.
Washington Game-Time Decision for Georgia
Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, who injured his ankle in its 42-41 semifinal win against the Ohio State Buckeyes, also will be a game-time decision.
“The plan is to play, and that’s the goal,” Washington told ESPN. “Whatever happens, it’s not in my hands.”
Bulldogs right tackle Warren McClendon (knee) and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (undisclosed) are expected to play.
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TCU began the season 12-0 before losing the Big 12 Championship Game to the Kansas State Wildcats. The Horned Frogs opened the season 200-1 to win the championship, making them the biggest underdog to ever make the CFP. They believe they can finish the ultimate Cinderella story and keep Georgia (14-0) from becoming the first repeat CFP champion.
“When Kendre goes down, you see Emari come in, and [the offensive line], we leaned on them,” TCU quarterback Max Duggan said. “They have kind of a chip on their shoulder to help us and lead us in all of our games.”
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