College football fans can’t have a better matchup in Monday’s Championship game as the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines are undefeated with 14-0 records in 2023. This is a historic season for both teams, regardless of the outcome. Like last week’s Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, we expect a close game. Here is a detailed look at UW’s opponents in the National Championship Game
The maize and blue average 36 points a game while giving up a stingy 10.21. It won’t be easy for the Washington Huskies, but they haven’t let difficulties stop them often this season.
Michigan hasn’t seen anything like the Washington Huskies offense, which averages 350 yards in the air per game. UM’s defensive coaches have their hands full planning for Washington’s trio of top-tier receivers, Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk.
These schools have played some exciting games against each other. The series didn’t start out well for the Washington Huskies, with Michigan winning the first four games (1953, 1954, 1969, and 1970) by a combined score of 116-10.
Since then, the Washington Huskies are 5-4 against UM.
The teams faced each other four times in the Rose Bowl, with each school winning twice. Most notable was the 1978 game. On January 2, 1978, the Huskies pulled out a 27-20 win. In that one, UW quarterback Warren Moon was named as the most valuable player.
Their last meeting was in Ann Harbor, with Michigan winning 31-10 on September 11, 2021. It happened during the short-lived Jimmy Lake head coach era at UW. The Washington Huskies have come a long way since then.
In 2022, Kalen DeBoer’s first season as head coach, U-Dub went 11-2. Hopes are high in Montlake for an undefeated 14-0 season. Here’s what the Washington Huskies are up against in Monday’s National Championship Game.
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.
One of the reasons Michigan yields so few points is that they don’t give up many yards, either. UM allows 243.1 yards per game (93.1 run, and 150 pass). The Wolverines, in total, have 13 forced fumbles and 9 recoveries.
Their base defense plays two defensive tackles, two edge rushers, a middle and weakside linebacker, two cornerbacks, a nickel back, and two safeties.
Starting at defensive tackle are senior Kris Jenkins on the right side and sophomore Mason Graham on the left. Jenkins is sixth in tackles with 35 and has 2.5 sacks. Graham is tenth with 32 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble.
The two starting edge rushers are seniors Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell. McGregor has 4.5 sacks, while Harrell leads UM with 6.5 sacks. Michigan’s backup edge rushers are doing well, too. Sophomore Derrick Moore has 5 sacks and is tied for seventh in tackles with 34. Junior Josaiah Stewart has 5.5 sacks along with 33 stops.
Those looking for a key to this game must start with the trenches. Michigan will send their deep D-Line at the Washington Huskies Joe Moore Award-winning front to disrupt UW quarterback Michael Penix.
Michigan’s three top tacklers are linebackers. Junior Colson, middle linebacker, leads with 89 tackles. Weakside linebacker Michael Barrett, a graduate student, is second in tackles with 61 with 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 recoveries.
At the corner are senior Josh Wallace and sophomore Will Johnson. Wallace has 28 tackles with 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. Johnson has 23 stops with 3 interceptions(including a pick-six).
Nickel back is senior Mike Sainristil has been busy in 2023. He is fifth on the team with 36 tackles, and his 5 interceptions (2 for touchdowns) lead Michigan. These three will be responsible for corralling the Washington Husky’s big three receivers.
Strong Safety is senior Makari Paige. He is fourth in tackles and has a forced fumble. He’ll provide coverage over the top. Rod Moore is the free safety. He tied for seventh with 34 tackles and had 2 interceptions.
This game will be an exciting contrast in styles.
Can the Huskies contain Blake Corum and Michigan’s ground-and-pound rushing attack?
Will Michigan be able to get pressure on Penix? If they do, can they stop him from rolling out of danger like he did against Texas?
If not, are their defensive backs good enough to cover UW’s plethora of outstanding receivers?
It will likely come down to the wire. In that case, the Washington Huskies have a huge intangible from playing so many close games this season.
Washington’s defense rose to the occasion in the 4th quarter all season, making great stops. We could see a few trick plays on the part of Washington. Running back Dillon Johnson is expected to go how often his injured foot will allow.
Go Dawgs!