UGA Football: CFP Semifinal Features Georgia and Michigan in Capital One Orange Bowl

ATHENS — The third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs are in the College Football Playoff for the second time and will play second-ranked Michigan in the Capital One Orange Bowl semi-final game on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.

The semifinal game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, between the third-ranked Bulldogs (12-1) and the Big Ten champion Wolverines (12-1).   It will be televised on ESPN and broadcast on the ESPN Radio Network.

Georgia and Michigan have only met twice before with both meetings taking place in Ann Arbor: 1957 (Michigan 26, Georgia 0); and 1965 (Georgia 15, Michigan 7).

“On behalf of our team and especially our seniors we are excited to be selected for the College Football Playoff and the opportunity to play in the Capital One Orange Bowl,” said UGA head coach Kirby Smart.  “The goal of every college football team, coach, player, and fan is to be one of the four teams in the Playoff and we are extremely honored. It presents a great opportunity for our fans who have been so supportive of our team throughout the season at home and on the road.  Playing in a city and game with such rich tradition will be a rewarding experience and it represents another step for our program at Georgia. It also represents a great challenge playing a team like Michigan which has proven to be one of college football’s most accomplished programs.”

The other CFP semi-final game will feature top-ranked Alabama vs. fourth-ranked Cincinnati in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas.  The winners of the two semi-finals will meet for the national championship on Monday, Jan. 10, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“We are honored with the selection of our team to represent the Southeastern Conference in the College Football Playoff,” said UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks. “We have not played in the Orange Bowl since Jan. 1, 1960, so this will create a special experience for our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans.  This is an incredible opportunity and I’m sure it will provide a memorable experience for all.”

Georgia has appeared in the Orange Bowl three times: Jan. 1, 1942, Georgia 40, TCU, 26; Jan. 1, 1949, Texas 41, Georgia 28; and Jan. 1, 1960, Georgia 14, Missouri 0.

This will be Georgia’s 58th bowl game appearance— second most of any team in the country. The Bulldogs’ all-time bowl record is 33-21-3. Georgia is making its 25th consecutive bowl appearance, which ranks as the longest active streak in the country.

Georgia’s senior class is 43-8 with three New Year’s Six bowl appearances (2-1), three SEC Eastern Division titles (2018-19-21), and a College Football Playoff appearance (2021).