Watch: Michigan has nightmare start to CFP semifinal

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh before the 2022 Fiesta Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs at State Farm Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Michigan has nightmare start to CFP with failed trick play; pick-six

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 12/31/22

Things could not have gone much worse for the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (13-0) to open Saturday's College Football Playoff semifinal game against No. 3 TCU (12-1).

Among the issues: A failed trick play on fourth-and-goal on their opening possession, and then a pick-six on their second possession to put them in an early deficit.

Let's start with the fourth-and-goal play.

After opening the game with a 56-yard run to set the Wolverines up deep in TCU territory, Michigan was facing a fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line and attempted to make a statement by going for it.

After a timeout, the Wolverines went with the Philly Special and it did not fool anybody on TCU's defense which almost seemed to be expecting it.

Michigan called the Philly Special against TCU... but they weren't playing against a Matt Patricia defense so it didn't work out. pic.twitter.com/fG8e10UZm0
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 31, 2022

TCU ended up punting after the turnover on downs, but even that had a way of working out. Because on Michigan's very next offensive snap, this happened.

TCU PICK-SIX FOR THE FIRST TD OF THE GAME‼️#CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/bJ9MhzST4W
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2022

Michigan's third offensive series ended in a punt, which was followed by TCU marching the down field for another touchdown to jump out to a 14-0 lead.

That means in a span of about eight minutes of clock time Michigan went from a first-and-goal in a scoreless game, to trailing 14-0. Not a good way to start a playoff game.

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