The college football<\/a> season finale pits two undefeateds towards one another on Monday evening: No. 1 Michigan<\/a> and No. 2 Washington<\/a>. It’s the first look within the College Football Playoff<\/a> ultimate for each groups and their first appearances in a national championship<\/a> recreation interval.
It’s the first time because the Faculty Soccer Playoff’s debut season in 2014 and simply the second time since 2005, the Bowl Subdivision’s championship recreation is not going to characteristic not less than one staff from the SEC. As an alternative, tonight\u2019s matchup will characteristic two present and future members of the Huge Ten. This marks the fourth time in playoff historical past the championship recreation will pit two unbeaten groups.
USA TODAY Sports<\/a> could have the newest updates, highlights, evaluation and information all day lengthy and all through the sport. Comply with alongside.
Kickoff<\/a> is 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.\u00a0
You may watch or stream on ESPN.
The Wolverines<\/a> and the Huskies<\/a> are taking part in at NRG Stadium in Houston.\u00a0
The\u00a0top college football betting apps<\/a>\u00a0favor Michigan<\/a> over Washington<\/a> within the nationwide championship recreation. The Wolverines are 5-point favorites over the Huskies, based on the\u00a0BetMGM college football odds<\/a>. Seeking to wager? Take a look at the\u00a0best mobile sports betting apps<\/a>\u00a0providingcollege football betting promos in 2023<\/a>.\u00a0
Right here is how USA TODAY Sports’ experts are predicting<\/a> tonight’s nationwide championship:
The over-under for Washington vs. Michigan is 56, according to BetMGM<\/a>.\u00a0
The Wolverines are 5-point favorites<\/a> over the Huskies, based on the BetMGM college football odds<\/a>.\u00a0
The 6-foot-3, 213-pound quarterback<\/a> was 342-of-576 passing (59.4%) for 4,197 yards, 29 touchdowns with 32 picks in 4 years at Indiana. He has greater than doubled that manufacturing in two seasons with Washington, the place he\u2019s accomplished 66% of his passes (698-of-1,058) for 9,289 yards, 66 TDs and 17 picks. In 2023 alone, Penix was 336-of-504 for 4,648 yards, 35 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.\u00a0
The 6-foot-3, 202-pound quarterback<\/a> has performed in 39 video games in three seasons for Michigan, finishing 472 of 695 passes (.680) for six,086 yards, 49 touchdowns and 11 picks. He\u2019s additionally rushed for 601 yards and 10 TDs on 157 carries. In 2023 alone, McCarthy went 230-of-314 passing for two,851 yards (203.6 yards per recreation), 22 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.\u00a0
After the win over Alabama within the Rose Bowl, a reporter requested Michigan<\/a> head coach Jim Harbaugh the big question<\/a>: \u201cThere’s plenty of curiosity in your future; I ponder for those who can inform me what the probabilities are that the championship recreation is perhaps your final one at Michigan?\u201d\u00a0
Harbaugh danced away from it<\/a>: \u201cMy future consists of a contented flight again to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Cannot wait.”\u00a0
So, whereas Harbaugh isn\u2019t speaking, there’s loads of noise about his return to the NFL. So, the drum beat is there; and if that is Harbaugh\u2019s final recreation, what will his legacy be at Michigan<\/a>? Harbaugh has not simply introduced Michigan again. He has elevated the Wolverines to a brand new degree. The Wolverines are 39-3 within the final three years. This staff will end within the high three for the third yr in a row \u2014 the best stretch in class historical past. \u2014 Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press<\/em>\u00a0
Washington<\/a> operating again Dillon Johnson<\/a> is meant to play tonight towards Michigan<\/a>, the staff has mentioned. Johnson went down within the College Football Playoff semifinal against Texas<\/a>, a nagging foot damage main him to being carted off the sector.\u00a0“That is simply one thing he is been working by way of for a pair months now and simply performed by way of it,” Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer mentioned final Wednesday. There’s nothing so far as above and past what’s occurred up to now. Simply type of all through the sport, he’d reaggravate it and shake it off and return on the market and play.”
For followers of greater than half the NFL<\/a>‘s groups, it is already time to ponder that offseason staple: the NFL mock draft. Sunday introduced a near the common season, that means that 18 franchises are already turning the web page to the 2024 season. Draft season is formally off and operating, with the College Football Playoff title game<\/a> being held Monday evening and the deadline for gamers to declare looming on Jan. 15. Only the top 18 selections have been set so far<\/a>. However with a tough estimate of how the remaining slots may pan out, here’s our latest 2024 NFL mock draft<\/a>. \u2014 Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz<\/em>
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Washington senior<\/a> has caught 209 passes for 3,185 yards and 24 touchdowns in 4 seasons with the Huskies. In 2023 alone, he recorded 87 catches for 1,553 yards and 13 touchdowns.\u00a0
One season-ending damage is disappointing; two is heartbreaking. Extremely, Michael Penix Jr<\/a>. needed to overcome 4 in as a few years with the Indiana Hoosiers, the ultimate two coming simply as his school profession gave the impression to be retreating.\u00a0Penix tore his ACL three video games into his true freshman season in 2018, with the damage coming as he was splitting time with starter Peyton Ramsey in a detailed loss to Penn State. He injured his non-throwing shoulder 9 video games into the 2019 season, with Indiana sitting at 7-2, matching the Hoosiers’ highest win whole since 2007.\u00a0
He put himself on the map through the COVID-19 season, tossing 14 touchdowns by way of 5 video games earlier than struggling one other ACL tear in a win towards Maryland. And he suffered one other shoulder damage 5 video games into the 2021 season, which noticed Penix and Indiana battle by way of a winless end in Huge Ten play.\u00a0
“Yeah, man, these instances had been powerful, but it surely simply confirmed that I can get by way of something. I can persevere and push by way of any hardship that comes my approach,” mentioned Penix.\u00a0“However I am simply tremendous blessed to be on this place now. I would not change something I have been by way of for something. I really feel prefer it’s formed me into the participant and the individual that I’m right this moment.” \u2014 Paul Myerberg<\/em><\/a>\u00a0
Kalen DeBoer<\/a> has 4 seasons of head teaching expertise \u2014 two at Fresno State earlier than becoming a member of Washington<\/a> in 2022 \u2014 and has compiled a 37-8 (.822) report in that span.\u00a0
Jim Harbaugh<\/a> began his teaching profession as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky in 1994 underneath his father. He was nonetheless taking part in within the NFL on the time, however held each jobs by way of the 2001 season. He then made the leap to full-time teaching in 2002, changing into the quarterbacks coach with the Oakland Raiders, a job he held for 2 seasons, which included a Tremendous Bowl victory. He headed to Southern California to turn out to be the pinnacle coach of the College of San Diego, the place he spent three seasons (2004-06), earlier than helming Stanford (2007-10) and the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14). He has been at Michigan since 2015.\u00a0
Kalen DeBoer<\/a> is in his second season with Washington and earned $4.2 million in 2023 with a max bonus of $1.25 million, according to USA TODAY Sports\u2019 database of college football coaching salaries<\/a>. In 2022, he earned $3,100,008 with a max bonus of $1.175 million.\u00a0
The Wolverines<\/a> and Huskies have performed 13 instances since 1953. Michigan holds the sting, 8-5.\u00a0
Behind legendary coach Don James, and following Washington<\/a>‘s 34-14 thumping of Michigan within the 1991 Rose Bowl, the coaches ballot (on the time administered collectively by USA TODAY and CNN) named the Huskies national champs<\/a>. The Related Press ballot, however, chosen the Miami Hurricanes because the No. 1 staff, with the Huskies coming in at No. 2. Miami had additionally completed 12-0 that season, ending with a 22-0 win over Nebraska within the Orange Bowl. Due to this, Miami additionally claims the 1991 nationwide championship. Some think about the 1991 Washington staff among the finest school soccer squads of all time. \u2014 Lindsay Schnell<\/em>\u00a0
It has been almost 25 years since Michigan last claimed<\/a> a nationwide championship, final profitable one in 1997. Michigan additionally received most of its nationwide championship earlier than the ballot period, which started in 1936. \u2014 Jordan Mendoza<\/em>
Senior operating again Dillon Johnson<\/a> is in his lone season with Washington after transferring from Mississippi State. With the Huskies, he\u2019s racked up 1,162 yards and 16 landing on 222 carries. Over his three seasons with the Bulldogs, he performed in 35 video games and recorded 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns on 229 carries.\u00a0
The one fixed for Washington<\/a>\u2019s profitable methods is the play of quarterback Michael Penix Jr.<\/a>, who turned in a classic playoff performance<\/a> with 430 yards and two touchdowns towards Texas within the Rose Bowl. As Penix goes, so does Washington. He is a “particular particular person,” mentioned All-America broad receiver Rome Odunze. The primary key query behind the championship recreation: Can Michigan decelerate Penix, or is that even attainable?\u00a0
The Wolverines<\/a> have but to face a quarterback like Penix nor a forged of receivers near Washington’s caliber. Of Michigan<\/a>‘s 14 opponents, solely two, Maryland and Ohio State, rank larger than fifty fifth nationally in passing yards per recreation. These two groups mixed for 518 passing yards on 8.5 yards per try, although Michigan did drive 4 interceptions towards two touchdowns.\u00a0
Though Michigan did face Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison, perhaps school soccer’s high particular person participant no matter place this season, the Wolverines shall be examined by Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillan and the Huskies’ excessive depth at receiver. And the individual delivering the passes shall be Penix and never Kyle McCord. \u2014 Paul Myerberg<\/em>\u00a0
The Huskies and Wolverines final performed in on Sept. 11, 2021. Michigan received, 31-10.
In accordance with the NCAA, the Wolverines have titles<\/a> in: 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1948, 1997. Michigan says it additionally has received titles in 1932 and 1947. \u2014 Jordan Mendoza<\/em>\u00a0
The Huskies have two (1960 and 1991), but it surely type of relies upon who you ask. In 1960, after beating Minnesota 17-7 within the Rose Bowl and ending with a report of 10-1, Washington<\/a> was named the national champion<\/a> by the Helms Athletic Foundation<\/a>. When the Helms Basis ultimately dissolved in 1969, a lot of its archives went to the Newbie Athletic Union. Wish to know one thing even weirder concerning the 1960 nationwide championship? The Huskies didn\u2019t claim it until 2007<\/a> \u2014 and that\u2019s after they had a trophy made for it. \u2014 Lindsay Schnell<\/em>\u00a0
The most important think about deciding the nationwide championship could come right down to this: Which staff can dictate the stream of motion on offense?\u00a0Michigan<\/a> shall be laborious to beat if operating the ball successfully on first down and placing collectively the type of sustained drives that may put on down the Huskies’ protection. If in a position to rise up and down the sector by sharing the wealth amongst three of 4 receivers, Washington<\/a> might give Michigan nightmarish flashbacks to the humbling loss to the Horned Frogs.\u00a0
“Yeah, I feel the aggressiveness is simply who we’re,” Washington coach Kalen DeBoer<\/a> mentioned.\u00a0
Do not search for both staff to shrink from the problem. If ever unsure within the first place, Michigan’s bodily and psychological toughness has been solidified by the extra time win towards the Crimson Tide. Washington’s fortitude has been on show all all through a season outlined by slim, single-possession wins. Which staff blinks?\u00a0Read Paul Myerberg\u2019s full preview here<\/a>.\u00a0
This is a glance:
Louis Elbel wrote “The Victors<\/a>\u201d as a music pupil at Michigan in 1898.\u00a0Listed here are the principle components, yow will discover the total lyrics here<\/a>.
Hail! to the victors valiant\u00a0<\/em>
Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes\u00a0<\/em>
Hail! Hail! to Michigan\u00a0<\/em>
the leaders and greatest\u00a0<\/em>
Hail! to the victors valiant\u00a0<\/em>
Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes\u00a0<\/em>
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,\u00a0<\/em>
the champions of the West!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n