CFP National Championship first look: Michigan vs. Washington،
All season, it was “Michigan vs. Everybody” inside the Wolverines program.
Now it's Michigan versus Washington.
The No. 1 Wolverines (14-0) will face the No. 2 Huskies (14-0) in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston. This year's title game – the last of a four-team playoff series before the field expands to 12 in 2024 – will feature two undefeated teams making their first appearance in the championship game of the BCS era.
Galvanized by accusations of an elaborate cheating scandal that became the biggest story of the season, Michigan found ways to overcome obstacles and win — a consistent trait that propelled it to a victory of 27-20 in overtime against SEC champion Alabama on Monday night. CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential.
“It was do or die,” Michigan offensive tackle Trevor Keegan said. “We've been through some things. We've had to overcome obstacles and adversity. People can say it's adversity. People can see we cheated. But I really don't care. C It was adversity, and that The team relied on each other, and it showed in the final quarter and in overtime.
After losing in the semifinals in each of the previous two campaigns, Michigan earned its first CFP victory.
This is also the last time Washington will represent the Pac-12, as the league has been decimated by realignment and the Huskies will join the Big Ten in 2024.
With Alabama's loss, this will be the first CFP national championship game since Ohio State faced Oregon in the inaugural 2014 season that will not feature an SEC team.
Instead, it will highlight two teams with a chance to become just the sixth team in major college football history to finish 15-0 or better.
No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 2 Washington
CFP National Championship presented by AT&T
When: Monday, January 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Or: NRG Stadium, Houston
How to watch: ESPN and the ESPN app
ESPN BET opening line: Michigan -4.5
Jump to:
Coaches | Paths to the championship
Key players | Matches to watch
Last meeting | X factors
The coaches
Jim Harbaugh from Michigan: Heading into the 2021 season, Harbaugh's future in Ann Arbor was precarious, as he entered this fall 0-5 against rival Ohio State and without any CFP appearances. He has since flipped the script, beating the Buckeyes three straight seasons to win the Big Ten and advance to the CFP. It was, however, the first time Harbaugh won a semifinal match, ending his six-game bowl losing streak. With the win against Alabama, Harbaugh has a chance to win a national title for his alma mater, where he played quarterback from 1983-86.
Harbaugh, who is in the second year of a five-year contract with Michigan, can't escape speculation surrounding his future with the program. There are still two separate, ongoing NCAA investigations — one for alleged recruiting violations and another for an alleged sign-stealing scheme — that resulted in Harbaugh's suspension for half of the 2023 regular season. There's also Harbaugh's past flirtations with the NFL. The Michigan administration wants to keep Harbaugh and has made it clear; it's up to him to accept. Would winning a national title influence his decision?
Kalen DeBoer of Washington: In just his second season as head coach of the Huskies, DeBoer led the program to 21 consecutive victories – the longest active winning streak in the FBS – and the school's first appearance in a national championship game. It's a far cry from DeBoer's humble beginnings as head coach at his alma mater, the small university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota – but it's the same goal as back then, when he won as many NAIA national titles (three) and had as many undefeated seasons (three) as losses.
DeBoer was 67-3 overall in Sioux Falls, including a 17-2 mark in the playoffs. DeBoer's rise from the NAIA to the FCS to the Group of 5 and ultimately to the sport's biggest stage spanned more than two decades, seven schools and three head coaching positions, including at Washington . The long-standing relationships he developed with his staff, including Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and the continuity of personnel have had a direct correlation to the Huskies' success. Washington's entire full-time coaching staff has remained intact since the 2022 season — a rarity in today's playoff coaching carousel — and DeBoer has been the glue.
How they got here
Michigan: Despite their head coach being suspended for six of 12 regular season games, the Wolverines reached the national title game thanks to their unity, talent and interim head coach Sherrone Moore. With Harbaugh suspended for the final three games of the regular season – against the biggest and toughest opponents on the schedule – Moore guided the Wolverines to victories over Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State. The “Michigan against everyone” product and mentality, combined with what might be the program's best team in decades, resulted in a perfect season that now includes a blowout victory against the program's most accomplished coach Sport. Michigan's aggressive defense sacked Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe six times, and the Wolverines overcame a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit to win in overtime.
The CFP selection committee considered Michigan a top-four team all season, but it didn't bump the Wolverines into the No. 1 spot until Selection Day, after the No. 1 seed at the time. 1 Georgia lost to Alabama in the SEC title game. No team competing in the CFP race has ever faced such serious allegations of cheating, but the CFP maintained its position that as long as a team was eligible to compete in a bowl game, it could be ranked by the committee. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel was one of 13 committee members, but he recused himself from the vote when Michigan was in consideration. Michigan has now won 14 games in a season for the first time in school history.
Last national title: 1997 (shared with Nebraska)
Washington: This is a team that has been fueled by its underdog status and perceived lack of respect. The Huskies' 36-33 win over Oregon on Oct. 14 indicated they should be considered the Pac-12's top CFP contender this season, but not everyone was convinced they were in the top four. The selection committee was unimpressed with the ugly wins against Arizona State and Stanford, and questioned the Huskies' defense. It wasn't until November — after Washington posted back-to-back wins over USC, Utah and Oregon State to reach the 11-0 mark — that the Huskies ranked among the first four of the committee.
Washington was still a 9.5-point underdog against Oregon in the Pac-12 title game, which the Huskies won. Washington was once again the underdog against Texas – another lower-ranked opponent with one loss – in Monday's semifinal. But once again, Washington's offense took over, powered by Heisman Trophy finalist Michael Penix Jr. This time, the signal-caller took advantage of a Texas pass defense that now allowed six of its opponents to throw for more than 300 yards. this season.
Last national title: 1991 (shared with Miami)
Key players
Michigan: RB Blake Corum. When starting right guard Zak Zinter suffered a season-ending leg injury in the Wolverines' win over Ohio State, the team lost its top run blocker. This was evident in the Big Ten title game against Iowa, as none of Corum's 16 carries went beyond 6 yards. That wasn't the case against Alabama, as Corum recorded 118 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. His 56 career rushing touchdowns are the most in school history.
Washington: WR Rome Odunze. It's difficult to separate Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk, as they represent one of four 1,000-yard receiving tandems in the FBS, but Odunze has been particularly effective. He entered the semifinals against Texas with 82% of his receptions coming for first downs or touchdowns.
Match to watch
Michigan's defensive line versus Washington's offensive line. Michigan has recorded 16 sacks in its last four games, including four against Iowa and six against Alabama. Michigan forced its way into the Crimson Tide backfield and limited its running game to 43 yards in the first half while sacking Milroe five times.
As of Monday, Penix had completed just 41 percent of his passes outside the pocket. Washington, however, allowed just 11 sacks all season and the Longhorns couldn't get to Penix. If Michigan wants to find a way to win, it needs to find its way back into the backfield.
Last meeting
September 11, 2021: Michigan 31, Washington 10. Washington has already seen Corum. In 2021, he ran for a 67-yard touchdown to give Michigan a double-digit lead in the second quarter. Washington finished 4-8 that year under former coach Jimmy Lake, while Harbaugh finished 12-2 with a loss to Georgia in the CFP semifinals.
X factors
Michigan special teams. The Wolverines botched a punt in the first quarter against Alabama, missed an extra point in the second quarter due to a botched snap and missed a field goal wide left in the fourth quarter.
Washington defensive end Bralen Trice. For the second straight season, Trice was named the team's MVP on defense. He sacked Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers twice Monday night and was just as disruptive against Oregon this season, making four tackles and an assist in the Pac-12 title game.
