The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Yes, the 2021 College Football Playoff featured two first-time teams in No. 2 Michigan and No. 4 Cincinnati. But, once again, the national championship will be decided between No. 1 Alabama — making its sixth all-time appearance in the CFP championship game — and Georgia, making its second such appearance. These teams also met for the 2017 national championship.
| Team | Point Spread | Money Line | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Bulldogs | - 2.0 | 1.79 | O 53.5 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | + 2.0 | 2.05 | U 53.5 |
*odds courtesy of Sports Interaction (updated Jan. 10, 2:20 p.m. ET)
This meeting — a rematch of the 2021 SEC championship game — also represents the third time since 2011 that two SEC teams will determine the national championship. Alabama (surprise) beat top-ranked LSU in a rematch of the regular season to claim that championship that season.
MORE: CFP championship picks: SN experts favor Alabama over Georgia
Who will win on Monday? Conventional wisdom says it's hard to beat a team twice in one season — Alabama beat Georgia 41-24 — which would seem to favor Georgia. So too would several injuries to Alabama's roster, including 1,000-yard receiver John Metchie III. But the Crimson Tide claim arguably the top offensive and defensive player in the country in quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson, respectively. Plus, the Crimson Tide have been here before.
Georgia, meanwhile, is looking for its first championship since the 1980 season — an abysmally long 41-year stretch for one of college football's premier programs. The Bulldogs will look to quarterback Stetson Bennett and its vaunted defense to deliver them back to the promised land.
With that, here's everything you need to know to watch the College Football Playoff championship, the final game of the 2021 college football season:
What time does the college football championship game start?
- Date: Monday, Jan. 10
- Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
The 2022 College Football Playoff championship game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 10.
What channel is the College Football Playoff championship on?
- TV channel: TSN
- Live stream: TSN Direct
The championship game will air on TSN and can be streamed on TSN Direct. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will serve as play-by-play and analyst, respectively, while Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath report from the sidelines.
Alabama vs. Georgia can also be streamed on TSN Direct.
TSN will also continue deploying its megacast of the game, including:
- Coaches Film Room: TSN Direct
- Command Center: TSN 3
- Skycast: TSN 2
- Hometown radio (Alabama first half, Georgia second half)
- All-22
MORE: Alabama vs. Georgia odds, predictions, betting trends
Where is the CFP championship game 2022?
The College Football Playoff championship game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This marks the first time the stadium, the annual host of the Big Ten championship, will host a national championship for college football. It previously hosted Super Bowl 46 in 2012.
CFP halftime show 2022 performers
Unlike previous seasons, the College Football Playoff will not feature a live halftime performance. Instead, ESPN will release a global premiere of a new music video, “When I’m Gone,” from Alesso and Katy Perry:
Who won the national championship in 2021?
Top-ranked Alabama won the 2021 national championship game against No. 2 Ohio State, becoming just the second No. 1 overall seed to win the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide downed the Buckeyes 52-24 in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., to finish a 13-0 season as the country's only undefeated team. It was the first championship for Alabama since 2017, tying the longest stretch of time between titles since Nick Saban took over in 2007.
Previously, No. 1 LSU beat No. 2 Clemson for the 2020 College Football Playoff game, winning 42-25 in the Superdome to claim the championship.
