Michigan vs. Washington: Complete Guide to the 2024 National Title Game
After two superb College Football Playoff semifinals between Michigan-Alabama and Washington-Texas, it was clear that while there may be plenty of grumbling about the selections, the committee put together an entertaining foursome.
The top-ranked Wolverines and second-rated Huskies survived games that came down to the final play to earn the right to meet in NRG Stadium in Houston. It was thrilling drama.
In the case of Michigan, the Wolverines watched Alabama and Jalen Milroe whittle its cushion away and take a seven-point lead late. A J.J. McCarthy-to-Roman Wilson four-yard touchdown pass capped a 75-yard drive with 1:34 left to tie the game and force overtime.
The Wolverines dominated the extra session, taking the lead on a 17-yard scamper by Blake Corum. Then, with Alabama needing a touchdown to tie, Milroe took a low snap on 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line and surged up the middle, only to be smothered by defenders to end the game 27-20 in favor of Michigan.
Washington led Texas virtually the entire second half and extended the lead to two scores late. But the Longhorns narrowed the gap to six, and an injury to Huskies running back Dillon Johnson stopped the clock as they were trying to run it out. That enabled Texas to put together one more long drive and throw into the end zone multiple times at the end.
The Huskies were up to the challenge, batting away the passes in what was a 37-31 escape.
Now, the two proud programs will meet to crown a brand new college football champion. Here are all the details you need to know leading up to the game.
Game Information
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When: Monday, Jan. 8
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
Spread: (via DraftKings): Michigan -4.5
Over/Under: 55.5
How Michigan Got Here
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So much has happened this year with Michigan, it's remarkable the Wolverines have survived and sustained. Following early exits during the past two College Football Playoffs, this has been the Wolverines' season to break through amid controversy.
The 14-0 Big Blue began the year with coach Jim Harbaugh serving a university-imposed three-game suspension for alleged recruiting violations, and he also ended the regular season with a three-game Big Ten suspension following sign-stealing allegations.
Through it all, Michigan installed Sherrone Moore as the acting head coach and just continued to pile up win after win. Nobody posed much of an issue as Michigan built a 9-0 record and feasted on "cupcakes."
As the schedule toughened, so did Harbaugh's team. The Wolverines traveled to Happy Valley on November 11 to take on the one-loss Nittany Lions and won 24-15 in a grind-it-out game in which they ran 32 consecutive second-half running plays. Blake Corum was the key with 145 rushing yards and a pair of scores.
A tough trip to Maryland followed, and the Terrapins chiseled a 20-point Wolverines lead down in the second half, only to watch the Wolverines survive with a 31-24 win.
Then, they returned to Ann Arbor and continued their ownership of rival Ohio State in "The Game," winning their third consecutive matchup with the Buckeyes 30-24. Rod Moore's interception with 25 seconds left secured the win.
While Iowa was up to the challenge defensively in the Big Ten Championship Game, the Hawkeyes couldn't generate any offense and Michigan sweated out a 26-0 victory to earn a spot in the playoff alongside Alabama, and a classic ensued.
The Wolverines prevailed, and Harbaugh's innovative play-calling and a rugged defense led the way to the title game. Even when McCarthy struggled late in the year, Michigan did what it did best—run the football behind a rugged offensive line and smother opponents with defense and big plays in compiling the unbeaten record.
How Washington Got Here
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Following a surprising 11-win season in Kalen DeBoer's first in Seattle, Washington elevated to the top of the college football food chain in '23. Surviving a better-than-usual Pac-12 in the league's final season, the Huskies became a cardiac-certified team the second half of the season.
The catalysts, of course, were a pair of wins over rival Oregon—a 36-33 home victory in a Top 10 tilt on October 14 in which the Ducks missed a last-second, would-be-game-tying field goal, and 34-31 thriller rematch in the conference title game to hand them their only two losses.
But there were oh-so-many pressure points before and between those two herculean battles.
Early in the year, it looked like DeBoer's offense, led by Michael Penix Jr., would annihilate anybody in its path, dominating Boise State, Tulsa, Michigan State and California before sweating out a seven-point win over Arizona in a game that aged very well as the Wildcats took off with Noah Fifita under center.
Then came the first Oregon win. After that, everything was close, no matter the opponent. Single-digit wins over inferior Arizona State and Stanford caused many around the country to question Washington's validity as a title contender.
But rugged victories over tough, ranked opponents USC (52-42), Utah (35-28) and Oregon State (22-20) proved the Huskies could win shootouts and defensive battles. A last-second Apple Cup triumph over Washington State concluded a spotless season.
After a Pac-12 title game fueled by Penix and a 152-yard effort from running back Dillon Johnson, Washington dominated Texas from the outset but nearly bungled the game late, only to survive and advance to the title game in what should be a great, made-for-TV tilt with Michigan in a battle of styles.
All this success centers around Penix and his trio of immaculate receivers—Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan—but other things like well-placed defensive plays, the disruption of Bralen Trice, and the roughshod running of Johnson showed up at the ideal times to lead an undefeated season.
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Top 2024 NFL Draft Prospects
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Michigan Wolverines
QB J.J. McCarthy
Though he hasn't made a decision regarding his future in Maize and Blue, the most intriguing NFL draft prospect on Michigan's roster is McCarthy. He's mocked No. 13 overall by CBS Sports, and in other cases, he's not considered a first-round talent.
I'm sure NFL general managers would love to see him carry his team more often, but he has all the skills, leadership acumen and makeup to be a long-time NFL pro.
RB Blake Corum
Good things come in small packages in Corum's case, and while running backs aren't normally considered a hot commodity in the draft, you'd be hard-pressed to find one more productive than him.
The questions will surround his durability following last year's season-ending knee injury, but the 5'8", 213-pound runner churns out yards, packs a punch and can break away from defenders. He will have a nice pro career. It's just unfortunate he can't run behind Zak Zinter, who suffered a season-ending leg injury against Ohio State or he'd be on here as one of the top guards taken.
DL Kris Jenkins
Jenkins would be a nice bet for a Day 2 pick as a 6'3", 305-pound defensive tackle. Bleacher Report's scouting department loves his ability to play against the run, and he helped swallow up runners throughout the Alabama game.
Is he athletic enough to fend off double-teams and collapse pockets to harass the passing game at the next level? It's a good question, but Jenkins is certain to be drafted and makes this list when Michigan doesn't have a ton of coveted draft-eligible guys.
Washington Huskies
WR Rome Odunze
Unequivocally, Odunze is a first-round talent who could surge up draft boards and be the third or even second receiver taken. Bleacher Report's Joe Tansey has Odunze as the third receiver off the board behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, going to Chicago at No. 10.
Odunze is a big-play receiver and Penix's top weapon. When the Huskies need a big play, they look to their go-to guy who can do it all.
IOL Troy Fautanu
People don't talk much about Washington's offensive line because Penix gets the ball out so quickly, but running back Dillon Johnson had a big season because of a stout line, spearheaded by Fautanu.
He may wind up being the first guard taken in the draft, and CBS Sports has him at the end of the first round. He is a powerful, well-rounded interior lineman who doesn't get a lot of the headlines but just does his job.
Edge Bralen Trice
There wasn't a more disruptive defender in the entire College Football Playoff semifinals than Trice, who blew up Texas' offensive line and harassed quarterback Quinn Ewers throughout the game. He lived in the backfield.
Outland Trophy winner T'Vondre Sweat and Alabama edge-rusher Dallas Turner generated a bunch of the headlines, but Trice is a jumbo edge who plays with a mean streak. At 6'4", 275 pounds, he's the ideal size for an NFL edge, and he produced this year with 46 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss and seven sacks.
QB Michael Penix Jr.
One of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the draft will be Penix. He's doubtfully a first-round pick, but a veteran who can make all the throws, has ideal timing and the type of leadership that can elevate programs will be coveted.
His injury history is a major question mark, and there are more skilled quarterbacks than Penix. But he puts up big-time numbers, and he wins. And he's a warrior who doesn't quit. Somebody is going to get a future starter picking him up.
Injury Report
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The biggest injury news that happened in either of the College Football Playoff games without question was Washington running back Dillon Johnson's.
Trying to run the clock out late, Johnson reaggravated a foot injury he's been dealing with all season and had to be carted off the field. Everybody who watched the game saw this, as it was a massive focal point of the game's outcome. The clock stopped, allowing Texas another possession, which it took down and nearly turned into a win.
The Huskies survived, and now the concerns center on Johnson, a hard-nosed runner and exceptional pass-blocker. He was in a walking boot after the game, but coach Kalen DeBoer told reporters he expects Johnson to play in the national championship game.
That would be a sigh of relief for Washington if Johnson is good to go, even if he's not 100 percent.
Otherwise, the Huskies are in good shape. They dealt with preseason injuries to running back Cam Davis and offensive lineman Gaard Memmelaar but navigated those well.
For the Wolverines, they remained healthy following the tilt with Alabama. Of course, they've got to deal with the loss of NFL prospect and team captain Zak Zinter. The elite guard suffered a broken tibia and fibula against Ohio State, an injury that obviously ended his season and forced a surgery that put a titanium rod from his knee to his ankle.
That was a huge loss for the Wolverines, but they responded in a resounding way against Alabama, and there aren't any other key contributors considered a threat to miss the game.
Keys to the Game
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Michigan Wolverines
Control the Clock and Limit Possessions
There's no question that Michigan's bruiser ball is going to be pivotal. There's nothing dynamic or flashy about a Wolverines offense that finished the year ranked 72nd in total offense. But they maximize possessions and points (14th in scoring offense).
Controlling the game with run-oriented, chain-moving possessions and taking the air out of the ball is a must. The Wolverines proved they still have a stellar offensive line sans Zak Zinter in the semifinal win over Alabama, and they need to rely on Blake Corum and expect J.J. McCarthy to bail them out on third downs when they arise.
Capitalizing in the red zone is essential—as is coming away with six-point trips, not three.
Momentum-Stoppers
As you'd expect, Michigan's strength lies in its defense. Alabama, at times, couldn't do anything against the Wolverines' vaunted front seven, but you can't expect to shut down Michael Penix Jr. the way they did the Tide.
So, getting game-changing turnovers is going to be a point of emphasis here.
The Wolverines are second nationally in turnover margin, and as prolific as they are at scoring points, the Huskies don't do a wonderful job taking care of the ball (18 giveaways on the season). Penix has thrown nine picks, and the Wolverines are going to be tight in coverage with on-ball defense.
Getting to Penix isn't easy, but if Michigan winds up plus-two in the turnover margin, it wins.
Washington Huskies
Jump Out Front Early and Push the Envelope
Michigan isn't going to speed up its tempo, open up and be able to hang in a shootout—or at least it hasn't shown it can do that, besides a second-half onslaught of Ohio State.
The point is that isn't where the Wolverines are most comfortable. They don't often play from behind. So, if you're Washington coach Kalen DeBoer, you want to do a great job of scripting plays going in, jump out to a hot start and become the aggressor.
Penix wants to spread the ball around to his playmakers like Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillan and Jack Westover. Expect them to open it up even more if Dillon Johnson can't go.
The Wolverines have an elite secondary, but can they match up player by player with this receiving corps? That's the tallest task of the year.
Put It on J.J.
If I'm Washington's defensive play-caller, I'm going to put extra heat on J.J. McCarthy and load the box to stop Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Does that put extra pressure on a secondary that hasn't been great this year? Yes. But it also takes Michigan out of its comfort zone.
Make the Wolverines beat your man coverage and force McCarthy into having to put the Wolverines on his shoulders. He simply hasn't had to do that a lot this season, and even though he proved he was capable in spearheading a monumental drive like the one in regulation against Alabama to tie the game, he doesn't exactly have a documented history of it.
There's no question McCarthy is a winner with a wealth of talent. He can beat you. But Washington needs to make him do it and take Michigan out of its comfort zone centered around a rugged running game.
Prediction
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Back and forth and back and forth I've gone on this one since the games ended Monday, and there's still not a clear answer.
That's what's going to make this a fun showdown.
There's not a chance we're going to have an absolutely demoralizing blowout like Georgia handed TCU a season ago. Both of these teams have proved all year they belong here, they are both undefeated, and they both have great coaches and playmakers on both sides of the ball.
It's so hard to pick against a Michigan team that is hard-nosed, battle-tested and has been in the playoffs three consecutive seasons. They win with defense, staunch offensive line play and quality running attack. J.J. McCarthy can beat you, too.
But Washington has that feel of a team of destiny. The Huskies have won close games all season against very good teams that have proved throughout bowl season to be the real deal.
Michael Penix Jr. has a stable of healthy, exceptional wide receivers, and while the defense isn't at the top of any statistical categories, it has held its own in big games.
The real worry here is Dillon Johnson's health. Not only is he the Huskies' best runner, he is also an elite pass-blocker, and if he can't go, it's going to be a big deal for Washington. Even so, we're rolling with Washington in a very close one.
Prediction: Washington wins, 34-30
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