The Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies will face off at the college football national championship in Houston, Texas, at the NRG stadium on Jan. 8, 2024.
The Wolverines had the most prominent physical defensive front in college football this season, along with projected first-round running back Blake Corum. The Wolverines finished the season undefeated, with a record of 12-0, and faced off against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP semi-final game.
The Wolverines were -4.5 point favorites coming into the game and covered the spread after a late touchdown from star running back Corum in overtime, which gave the Wolverines the win 27-20. The Wolverines dominated the trenches, picked up six sacks, and caused three fumbles in this contest.
“We were so together, so connected, and we were going to overcome anything inside the stadium,” said Michigan head coach John Harbaugh, via ESPN.
Michigan had faced adversity throughout the season with sign-stealing allegations and an in-season suspension of Harbaugh.
Although Michigan has a solid running game and a prolific defense, the Washington Huskies can turn the national championship into a shootout with a top five QB in the nation, Micheal Penix Jr.
Penix, along with star wide receivers Rome Odunze and Ja’lynn Polk, put on a clinic against the Texas Longhorns in the CFP semi-final game. Washington won 37-31 in a shootout against the Longhorns at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Penix passed for 430 yards and threw for two touchdowns. Odunze had 6 catches for 125 yards, averaging 20.8 yards per catch. Polk also had 5 catches for 122 yards and 1 touchdown.
Penix is leading all NCAA D1 QBs in passing yards and passer rating, with an average of 322 passing yards a game. Penix finished second in this year’s Heisman voting and is not stopping from leading his team to the program’s second national championship.
Michigan is a 5.5-point favorite headed into the game and has a 74.3 percent chance of winning this game, according to ESPN analytics.
The game will be on tonight, Jan. 8, on ESPN at 7:30 p.m.
