Washington Huskies Preview: 2024 FBS Championship vs. Michigan
The game on January 8, 2024, will be one the Washington Huskies and their fans will remember for many years ahead, regardless of the outcome. It will also be an exciting preview as the Huskies join the Big Ten next season.
Herb Nightengale
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Michigan Offense
Michigan won’t have weather conditions slowing them down. They average 378.43 yards of offense per game (159.5 yards rushing and 218.93 passing). Most likely, the Wolverines start establishing the run and mixing the pass in.
JJ McCarthy, a two-year starter, is the Wolverines’ quarterback. To gain experience, he played in 11 games as a true freshman. In each season, his completion rate went up. With the undefeated 2023, he now owns a 24-1 record.
This year, McCarthy completed 72.5 percent of his passes for 2,851 yards and 22 touchdowns, the same as in 2022. The La Grange Park, Illinois native doesn’t throw many interceptions, having only 4. However, he has been sacked 18 times and rushed the ball 60 times for 181 yards and 3 TDs.
Leading Michigan’s rushing attack is senior Blake Corum. He may be small at 5’8”, but his 214 pounds include a good mix of speed and pop. Corum carried 237 yards for 1,111 yards and led his team by far with 25 touchdowns.
His backup, junior Donovan Edwards, has 113 carries for 393 yards and three touchdowns. He will come in often on passing downs, as Donovan is fourth on the team with 30 catches for 249 yards.
Unlike most modern college offenses, the Wolverines primarily go with two receivers. Both Michigan starters are experienced seniors. Slot receiver Roman Wilson leads in receptions with 45 catches, 735 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cornelius Johnson is second with 44 catches, third in yardage at 579, and has 1 touchdown. True freshman Semaj Morgan is listed as third team on the depth chart; however, he is sixth in receptions – 21 and yardage – 207 with 2 touchdowns.
Michigan plays out of a two tight end formation. Sophomore Colston Loveland starts on the right and is third in receptions at 42, but his 585 yards and 4 touchdowns are both second on the team. On the left side is senior AJ Barner, who is fifth in receptions at 22 and is tied with Edwards for fourth in yardage at 249 yards with a touchdown.