Michigan vs Washington Preview and Podcast
The two best teams in college football will meet in the national championship game in Houston tonight. The college football playoff committee got it right this year with the 4 teams selected. In the end, the two best teams all year long will meet on the grandest stage. Both teams finished the season 14-0 with Michigan winning the Big 10 conference and Washington winning the Pac-12 conference in its final season.
The coaches
Washington- Kalen DeBoer is 25-2 in his 2 seasons with the Huskies. He served as the head football coach at the University of Sioux Falls from 2005 to 2009 and California State University, Fresno from 2020 to 2021. His career record is 104-11.
Michigan- Jim Harbaugh, played college football at Michigan from 1983 to 1986. Had a 14-year NFL caerr as a quarterback. He has been the head coach at San Diego, Stanford, San Francisco 49ers and has been at the Michigan since 2015. He has a record of 146-52 at the college level.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The Quarterbacks
Micheal Penix– He previously played for the Indiana Hoosiers of the Big Ten Conference before transferring to Washington in 2022.He has 95 passing touchdown along with 13 rushing. He has thrown for over 13,000 yards in 6 seasons.
JJ McCarthy-He became Michigan’s starting quarterback in the second week of the 2022 season and has started every game since. Hs record is 26-1 and has thrown for over 5,000 yards and 49 touchdowns in 3 seasons.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball in overtime against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Offensive Playmakers
Washington’s receiving core of Romero Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Je’Lynn Polk are elite receivers
Michigan’s running backs Blake Corum and Donavan Edwards can lead the way behind a great offensive line.
Defense
Michigan’s- 9.5: The Wolverines’ defense dominated during the regular season, allowing just 9.5 points per game
Washington-biggest weakness: run defense. Corum leads the FBS in rushing TDs (25) and has scored in every game. He has recorded 237 carries for 1,111 yards. He averages 4.7 yards per carry,
Listen to the overunder podcast for our prediction on the game
