2024 CFP National Championship: Washington vs Michigan
Breaking Down Key Stats, Player to Watch, and Who We’re Backing
Who’s Taking the Title Home?
There is no bigger college football news than the national championship game being played on Monday night at 7:30 PM ET and broadcast live on ESPN. The CFP finale features the Washington Huskies taking on the Michigan Wolverines at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans.
The CFP National Championship is set 🔒🤩@UMichFootball and @UW_Football will meet in what will be both program’s first CFP champ game appearance 🤝🏆 pic.twitter.com/eqP77Mpv70
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 2, 2024
Tale of the Tape
Washington Huskies
Offense
- Points Scored: 37.6 PPG (10th)
- Passing Yards: 350.0 YPG (1st)
- Rushing Yards: 123.6 RYG (102nd)
Defense
- Points Allowed: 23.6 PPG (50th)
- Passing Yards Against: 263.2 PYA (122nd)
- Rushing Yards Against: 133.8 RYA (41st)
Michigan Wolverines
Offense
- Points Scored: 36.0 PPG (14th)
- Passing Yards: 218.9 YPG (63rd)
- Rushing Yards: 159.5 RYG (62nd)
Defense
- Points Allowed: 9.5 PPG (1st)
- Passing Yards Against: 152.6 PYA (2nd)
- Rushing Yards Against: 87.1 RYA (6th)
Players to Watch
Washington
According to the college football rankings, the Huskies are ranked No. 2 in the nation but No. 1 in passing. That all begins and ends with the man pulling the trigger, Heisman Trophy candidate, Michael Penix Jr.
But Penix’s golden arm doesn’t do it alone as he has more weapons than a Swiss Army knife with his twin terrors on the wings, Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk, while junior tailback, Dillon Johnson, is a game-changer in the backfield.
This throw by Michael Penix Jr.
My goodness….
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/lGoRsMnV73
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) January 2, 2024
Michigan
If Washington is the irresistible force then Michigan is the immovable object. The Wolverines are led by senior sack-master, Jaylen Harrell, who will bring the heat on Penix while defensive back, Mike Sainristil, is the resident ballhawk who has five picks on the season.
The Michigan offense cannot be overlooked. J.J. McCarthy is a skilled but raw junior quarterback who led the Wolverines offense with 22 passing touchdowns and threw for 2,851 yards with just four interceptions on the season, contributing mightily to Michigan’s impressive 36 points per game average.
Here’s how Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy compare in stats this season 📊👀
Who’s going to have the bigger game next week?🤔 pic.twitter.com/ej3srdfQQk
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 3, 2024
The Pick
While most will focus on the skilled players on both NCAAF teams, this game will be won and lost in the trenches. This Washington Huskies football edition is only as good as the big uglies protecting Penix and few offensive lines do it as well as they do, allowing just 11 sacks on the season.
However, the hallowed history of Michigan football has nine national titles on its resume but the last came in 1997 and none during the Jim Harbaugh regime. Nevertheless, Michael Penix Jr. is a pro-ready 25-year-old while J.J. McCarthy is a 20-year-old project with the potential to be a starter at the next level in a few years – just not right now.
Here’s how Michigan and Washington compare in roster talent ⬇️📊
Which team has done the most with their talent? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/UYsfayMKQ3
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 4, 2024
Winner: Washington 33 – Michigan 27
Author: Sin City Sniper
Author: Sin City SniperBusting bookmakers and taking their money is his greatest joy in life. He’s been around the block more than once, knows the players both on and off the field of battle, and uses his experience to serve the bookies a heaping plate of humble pie washed down by a warm glass of their salty tears. You can find him in any number of Vegas books, sniping weak lines and getting paid to do it.
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