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On Monday, January 8, No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington will play at NRG Stadium in Houston in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on ESPN. The Wolverines are vying to win their first national title since 1997, while the Huskies are trying to win their first since 1991 and the Pac-12’s first since 2004. These teams will face off in future Big Ten games with Washington moving to the Big Ten next season.
Thanks to an exciting 27–20 overtime victory over No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl semifinal, Michigan is here. Running back Blake Corum got Michigan’s overtime campaign started with a 17-yard touchdown run, and the Wolverines stuffed Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe at the 2-yard line on fourth-and-goal to seal the victory. After an 0-2 start the previous two seasons, the victory was the program’s first-ever CFP victory and the first-ever 14-win season in school history for the Wolverines.
In the Sugar Bowl, Washington stunned No. 3 Texas, 37-31, to advance to the national championship game. Despite being 3.5 point underdogs against the Big 12 champions going into the game, the Huskies’ offensive assault proved to be too strong for the Longhorns to contain. Running back Dillon Johnson scored two touchdowns on the ground in addition to quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington throwing for 430 yards and two touchdowns. With the win, Washington’s ascent under second-year head coach Karen DeBoer—who is now 25-2 since joining from Fresno State—continued.
Michigan is a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 55.5 at Caesars.
Michigan Wolverines
It took Michigan three seasons to knock on the door of greatness, but it wasn’t until Monday night’s victory over Alabama in a playoff game that the team managed to break through. The Wolverines’ defense, which held Alabama to a season-low 288 yards in the Rose Bowl, demonstrated its savagery once more. Six times, including four in the first half, the Wolverines sacked Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe. On the final play of the game, they made the game-winning stop. That performance summed up the team’s domination throughout the season, which saw them enter the CFP rated first in the country for total defense.
The Wolverines are also rather formidable offensively. McCarthy is one of college football’s most dependable passers, and over the past three seasons, Corum has eclipsed 3,500 yards rushing. With 25 rushing touchdowns, a Michigan single-season record, Corum led the nation. In the midst of a scandal involving sign stealing that rocked the school and resulted in coach Jim Harbaugh’s suspension for three games, Michigan just kept winning. They never gave up more than 24 points in a game and hardly trailed enroute to the top spot in the CFP Rankings.
Washington Huskies
The Huskies have triumphed in five straight games decided by a single possession, including a close victory against Texas. Penix, a Heisman Trophy finalist in his sixth and final collegiate season, is where it all begins. The left-handed gunslinger and DeBoer had collaborated when Penix was at Indiana, and they came to Washington together. The connection worked well for the Hoosiers back then, and it has worked even better for Washington, which has Rome Odunze, Ja’lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan as its three outstanding receivers.
Even while the Huskies’ premier passing offense is what sets them apart, their defense consistently produced big stops throughout the season to guarantee the program’s first-ever CFP victory and second-ever CFP appearance. Johnson, who transferred from Mississippi State, had over 1,100 yards rushing this season, demonstrating Washington’s ability to run the football. However, after being hurt late in the fourth quarter against Texas and being carted off the field following the game, his availability for the CFP National Championship is in doubt.
Washington vs. Michigan Picks
I have watched quite a few Washington games this season and somehow this team finds ways to win games. The offense for Washington is really good and Penix is the real deal at quarterback. I don’t think that much of the Washington defense, but they have been better of late and Trice is a future NFL player. I thought the Wolverines would be a 3-point favorite, but the public likes Michigan and oddsmakers made the number 4.5. I think this will be another close Washington game, so I will take the Huskies and the game over the total.
Check out the latest CFP Championship odds at Caesars.
