Having both emerged victorious after surviving epic semifinal matchups, Michigan and Washington are gearing up for the national championship game. The Wolverines overcame Alabama in a thrilling contest, despite trailing 20-13 with just a few minutes left in the football game. They needed overtime to overcome the many mistakes on special teams. The Huskies held off Texas, fighting off a late surge by the Longhorns to keep Ewers from finding the end zone one last time. 

In a matchup featuring two teams that will be Big Ten opponents next season, their styles could not be more different. Michigan vs. Washington may not only serve as an epic championship game for college football fans. The clash of styles between college football’s last two undefeated teams serves as an excellent preview for what is to come next season as well. Watch as a defense and run-heavy traditional Big Ten team takes on a high-flying Pac-12 offense from the West Coast!

Comparing Offenses and Defenses

UM employs a straightforward yet potent offensive strategy, centered around a strong running game and strategically positioning receivers and running backs to create open spaces for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Wolverines feature one of the nation’s premier backs in Blake Corum. He is known for his ability to elude defenders on outside runs and power through the middle behind Michigan’s formidable offensive line. That o-line secured consecutive Joe Moore Awards for the best line in college football before UW claimed the accolade this year.

Donovan Edwards emerges as a formidable second option in the Wolverines’ backfield, showcasing his prowess that can pose a significant threat. Edwards executed two explosive runs in the previous season against Ohio State, ultimately securing the victory for Michigan over the Buckeyes. The Huskies’ run defense, currently positioned at 99th in rush EPA (Expected Points Allowed), implies that they will potentially struggle against one of the nation’s premier rushing attacks. Furthermore, McCarthy demonstrates agility outside the pocket, effectively gaining yards with his legs when required, while also delivering precise throws on the move.

Photo Cred: Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Shifting to the passing game, UM offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and head coach Jim Harbaugh design effective plays to get their guys open, including their running backs. Corum secured a walk-in receiving touchdown catch early in the Rose Bowl against Alabama. He also exploited the completely open right side of the field on a pivotal fourth-and-2. This play resulted in a substantial gain, keeping the Wolverines’ hopes alive. McCarthy’s rapid release allows for precise passes to the sidelines and over the middle, and he demonstrates the ability to connect on deep throws when needed. Michigan particularly benefits from their receivers adding yards after the catch, as evidenced in the Rose Bowl and several other games this season.

Some instances of McCarthy’s exceptional quarterback play include him connecting with Tyler Morris on a short pass up the middle, resulting in Morris taking it down the sideline for a 38-yard touchdown. On a trick play, McCarthy pitched the football to Edwards, who lateraled it back to McCarthy. McCarthy, in a remarkable sequence, made a one-handed catch, turned his body, and delivered a perfectly thrown football to wideout Roman Wilson downfield. This play unfolded as McCarthy fell backward after being hit by Alabama’s star linebacker, Dallas Turner, who has since declared for the NFL draft. Watch for defensive ends Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui to exert pressure on McCarthy. Linebackers Alphonzo Tuputala and Edefuan Ulofoshio will strive to tackle Corum and Edwards before they break free for significant gains on the ground.

Photo Cred: Albany Herald

However, with UW’s passing defense ranked just 120th in the country and allowing more than 267 yards per game, it remains to be seen if UM will continue its effective run-heavy game plan. Perhaps they opt to take a few deep shots to test Washington’s defense. If McCarthy decides to target Wilson or WR Cornelius Johnson downfield, he will face the challenge of contending with Huskies corners Jabbar Muhammad and Elijah Jackson. Jackson, in particular, elevated his game by denying a potential game-winning Texas touchdown to Adonai Mitchell on the last play of his bowl game. 

Serving as the last line of defense are safeties Dominique Hampton and Asa Turner, who, despite their role, have been known to secure a few interceptions. Nevertheless, the Wolverines might find success by exposing Washington’s vulnerable pass defense with their tight ends, Colston Loveland and AJ Barner. Their size and speed could prove advantageous against smaller defenders, providing an effective option in the passing game.

A Battle of Strengths

Now for the fun part, where both teams excel! Michigan boasts the country’s best defense, while UW features the nation’s top passing attack. While the Huskies average over 37 points per game, UM holds its opponents to an average of just over 10 points per game. Washington’s elite offense starts in the trenches, as they have the top-ranked offensive line and a Joe Moore Award to show for it. 

Their o-line is tasked with protecting superstar quarterback Michael Penix Jr. from the Wolverines’ relentless defensive line, which had six sacks on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Five of them came in the first half! UM’s defensive tackles Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, and Jaylen Harrell will look to get into the backfield often. Linebackers Michael Barrett and Junior Colson will look to close any running lanes left for UW running back Dillon Johnson, assuming he is ready for the championship game after suffering an injury in the Sugar Bowl against Texas. 

Photo Cred: Maize n Brew

Penix, a Heisman finalist, threw for over 4,600 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. In the semifinal game against the Longhorns, he notched 430 yards and two touchdowns. A standout play involved a deep ball to Ja’Lynn Polk down the sideline; Polk cut back in-field, reaching the 1-yard line and setting up Washington’s first touchdown of the night. Another highlight featured a deep pass to star receiver Rome Odunze, who secured a contested catch in Texas territory. Penix also demonstrated his skill with a bullet pass to Jaden McMillan in the end zone and tossed a touchdown to Polk under pressure, as the ball tipped in the air by Texas cornerback Maalik Muhammad.

Against Michigan, Penix aims to connect with Odunze and Polk downfield. Odunze has amassed over 1,500 receiving yards, while Polk has 1,100+ receiving yards this season. However, UM cornerbacks Will Johnson, Josh Wallace, and Mike Sainristil will certainly be up for the challenge. Acknowledged among the best in the business, these three corners consistently shut down opposing receivers and receive support from the top safety duo in the Big Ten, Rod Moore and Makari Paige. Alongside Washington’s top-flight offensive line countering Michigan’s formidable pass rush, the Huskies’ future NFL receivers anticipate a challenging matchup against the Wolverines’ vaunted secondary.

Photo Cred: The Seattle Times

The outcome of this championship game may hinge on the clash between Washington’s elite passing offense and Michigan’s formidable pass defense. If the Huskies can make this game a shootout, UM may be hard-pressed to keep pace. Conversely, if Michigan can apply pressure to Penix and effectively cover Odunze, Polk, and McMillan, they could gain an advantage with their grind-it-out offense. Washington might encounter difficulties in halting Michigan’s offensive prowess both on the ground and through the air.

Prediction

While Washington’s passing offense is formidable, I believe Michigan’s relentless defense may prove crucial against the Huskies. With UW running back Dillon Johnson still recovering from an injury (as previously mentioned), Michigan’s pass rush could gain an advantage. Johnson amassed over 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. If he is limited, then the Huskies’ offense will become even more pass-oriented. This shift could allow UM to get more comfortable with utilizing their pass rush. 

While Penix is expected to find Odunze and Polk downfield on occasion, the frequency of long passes may decrease with UM’s secondary able to knock away more 50/50 balls. On the defensive side, it is challenging to envision Washington’s defense having a solution for Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Michigan is likely to leverage its ground game, coupled with short and intermediate pass plays, to construct sustained scoring drives.

Photo Cred: Maize n Brew

If UM can address their special teams mistakes (two muffed punts, a missed extra point, and a missed field goal in the semifinal against Alabama), they have the potential to control the pace of the game through McCarthy’s special quarterbacking ability and their two-headed monster running back duo. All the while, they’ll apply enough pressure on Penix to force a few key incompletions against a much better secondary than their star receivers are accustomed to facing. Despite the chagrin of most college football fans and the NCAA’s ongoing investigation into the Wolverines for recruiting and sign-stealing violations, fans in Ann Arbor will get to celebrate as their team overcomes its playoff demons to win the national championship for the first time since 1997.

Score prediction: Michigan 31, Washington 27