College Football Championship Preview
Posted in Football (NFL & College) last updated on January 3, 2024Two teams remain to battle it out for the 2023-24 NCAAF championship in Houston, Texas on Jan. 8th at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The matchup will feature two 14-0 teams. The Michigan Wolverines out of the Big Ten and the Washington Huskies from the Pac-12.
Road to the Chip
Michigan
Despite not having their coach for half of the season the Wolverines still dominated every team in its path. Their first big win of the season came in Week 11 against Penn State where they rode Blake Corum’s big game (145 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns) to a 24-15 win. Two weeks later they hosted the Buckeyes in The Game and handled business with a 30-24 win. After shutting out Iowa in the Big Ten championship the Wolverines claimed the number one seed in for the college football playoffs. Michigan would draw the Tide in the semis who were riding a lot of momentum after their SEC Championship win over the back-to-back champions, Georgia Bulldogs. Despite Bama coming off a big win, the Wolverines would win a close one in overtime to clinch their trip to Houston.
The Wolverines will look to continue to ride their stout defense and their strong run game of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards to a championship.
Washington
The Huskies’ elite offense has looked unstoppable the entire season and they will look to continue their success in the last game of the season. The Huskies have handled business against some of the top teams in the nation. A few of their big wins came against Oregon twice and on the road against USC and Oregon State. Washington’s memo all season has been: find a win to win. They are 8-0 in one-possession games, the most recent one coming in the semis against Texas. After a back-and-forth game against Texas, the Huskies’ defense held strong in the dying seconds to shut down the Longhorns’ comeback attempt.
The Huskies will look for one more magical game out of their Heisman finalist quarterback Michael Penix.
Tale of the Tape
Offense
| Per Game (Rank) | Total Yards | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Points |
| Michigan | 389.2 (110th) | 218.9 (123rd) | 159.5 (105th) | 36 (14th) |
| Washington | 478.9 (13th) | 350 (1st) | 123.6 (191st) | 37.6 (10th) |
Defense
| Per Game (Rank) | Total Yards | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Points |
| Michigan | 263.2 (5th) | 150 (8th) | 93.1 (13th) | 10.2 (79th) |
| Washington | 414.1 (199th) | 267.1 (246th) | 137.1 (90th) | 24.1 (181st) |
| Michigan | Washington | |
| 8-0 | Home Record | 9-0 |
| 6-0 | Away Record | 5-0 |
| Big Ten | Conference | Pac-12 |
| 10-0 | Conference Record | 10-0 |
| 14 | Win Streak | 14 |
| 1 | Playoff Seed | 2 |
Players to Watch
Michigan
QB: JJ McCarthy- 73.2 completion percentage, 203.6 passing yards per game, 25 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.
HB: Blake Corum- 237 attempts, 79.4 rushing yards per game, and 26 touchdowns
WR: Roman Wilson- 45 catches, 52.5 yards per game, and 12 touchdowns
Washington
QB: Michael Penix- 66.7 completion percentage, 332 passing yards per game, 38 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions
HB: Dillon Johnson- 222 attempts, 89.4 rushing yards per game, and 16 touchdowns
WR: Rome Odunze- 87 catches, 110.9 receiving yards per game, and 13 touchdowns
Odds
Michigan Moneyline -195
Washington Moneyline +165
Spread Michigan -4.5
Over/Under 55.5
My Prediction
Michigan 29 Washington 22