The College Football Playoff National Championship will witness a clash between two undefeated teams, No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 2 seed Washington. The title game is scheduled to take place on January 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
The Wolverines, with a 14-0 record, triumphed over Alabama with a 27-20 score in overtime at the Rose Bowl. Meanwhile, the Huskies, also with a 14-0 record, narrowly defeated Texas 37-31 at the Sugar Bowl on Monday. This is the inaugural championship game in the CFP era for both Michigan and Washington.
Here are three key points focusing on the draft from the national title matchup:
1) Quarterbacks take center stage
Without the key playmaking skills of their quarterbacks, neither team would be in the national title game. Furthermore, their playing styles differ significantly.
J.J. McCarthy from Michigan is not a typical NFL Draft prospect, and he still has eligibility left as a junior.
Opinions about McCarthy’s professional potential vary among evaluators, but there are some compelling characteristics that he possesses. Standing tall at 6-foot-3 and weighing 197 pounds, he’s a lithe and athletic quarterback who thrives when on the move. His accuracy can be inconsistent at times, but McCarthy has a particular talent for stepping up in critical moments, a skill exhibited during a late touchdown drive that pushed the game into overtime against the Crimson Tide.
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. finished second in the Heisman Trophy Award voting behind LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The 6-3, 218-pound lefty has thrown for 35 touchdowns, including two in the Sugar Bowl, along with 420 yards and no turnovers.
Penix is skilled at long-range passing, demonstrating impressive accuracy when given enough time to throw. He is capable of adding significant spin to his throws and generally exhibits strength in the pocket, demonstrating consistent rhythm and accuracy. However, his performance may diminish when more creativity is demanded of him. While Penix is athletically gifted and can navigate within the pocket effectively, he does not often resort to scrambling or intentionally running.
Penix, a sixth-year senior turning 24 in May, may not suit every team and offensive system. His history of knee injuries from his time at Indiana requires thorough examination by team medical staffs. However, in a pocket-based pass game with the right timing, Penix has the potential to excel.
This game will be closely monitored by NFL scouts. Both quarterbacks, though not evaluated as flawless, present substantial interest for the professional league.
2) Loaded Huskies offense faces tremendous test vs. Michigan
This season, Michigan’s defense has not conceded more than 24 points in any game. On the other hand, Washington has scored 24 or more points in all their games except two, with three games even surpassing the 50-point mark.
The Huskies’ game hinges on Penix’s throws, but it’s not solely his show. They boast the offensive line that bagged the Joe Moore Award, with left tackle Troy Fautanu deserving special attention, as he might be tested at guard at the Senior Bowl. They also have a remarkable trio of receivers, spearheaded by senior Rome Odunze.
Each college season saw Odunze, with a stature of 6-3 and 215 pounds, refining his game and expanding his skill set. He has the capability to target every part of the field, picks up speed after a catch, and demonstrates excellent body control and acceleration. Odunze is determined and highly resilient, having returned to play just two weeks after enduring a broken rib and a punctured lung. He has the potential to be one of the top picks among seniors in the 2024 draft, possibly making it to the overall top 10.
The exceptional receiving corps is completed by redshirt sophomore Ja’Lynn Polk and senior Jalen McMillan. The trio of Odunze, Polk, and McMillan came together for 26 TD receptions and almost 3,200 yards this season. Tight end Jack Westover, a reliable chain mover, had six receptions against Texas, some of which were crucial.
Dillon Johnson, a large-framed running back, vigorously scored two touchdowns against the Longhorns before being forced to exit the game in severe pain. If he is able to compete against the Wolverines, he could effectively serve as a dynamic slasher behind a competent run-blocking team.
Michigan boasts future NFL talent across all three levels, beginning up front.
Kris Jenkins, a defensive tackle with NFL heritage (his father, Kris Jenkins, was a former second-round pick for the Panthers), is a talented player. Despite his limited production in a deep DT rotation this season, he showed his potential with a sack and a solid tackle on Alabama QB Jalen Milroe towards the end of regulation.
Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor, both edgers, possess NFL-level ability, albeit differently packaged. Harrell displays athleticism and range in a leaner frame, coupled with a decent length and a knack for tracking the quarterback. On the other hand, McGregor, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 267 pounds, is starting to show his potential. He recorded two sacks against Bama, one of which was crucial in forcing the final field goal before Michigan managed to equalize the score.
Junior Colston and Michael Barrett are a duo of quality linebackers. Colston, who has a higher profile in the NFL, is known for his athleticism and is generally reliable when it comes to tackling, despite his tendency to be overly aggressive at times.
The secondary team is quite impressive, boasting talented players at cornerback and safety, including Mike Sainristil, Josh Wallace, Makari Page, and Rod Moore. Sainristil, though undersized, is an energetic defender who is crucial to Michigan’s defense. His position in the NFL will be a slot, but for the Wolverines, he plays both inside and outside. Moore is a rising player who has shown his prowess by breaking up a long ball early against Alabama, preventing a touchdown. Paige, standing at 6-4 and weighing 208 pounds, is a talented young player who could benefit from more experience.
3) Michigan’s RB duo will test Huskies defense
The Wolverines showcase two skilled running backs, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, who both have promising futures in the NFL.
After a torn meniscus injury in November 2022, Corum made a comeback to school. In his senior year, he scored 25 touchdowns, including the gritty overtime game-winner in the Rose Bowl victory against Alabama, despite not being as explosive as he was in 2022. While Corum’s appearances as a receiver have been infrequent, his first receiving touchdown of the season in that game marked Michigan’s first score (and only his third in 44 career games).
Corum, standing at 5-8 and weighing 213 pounds, will be participating in the Senior Bowl. He has the potential to stand out as one of the leading backs amidst a senior group that is reliable but lacks standout players. We are still awaiting the plans of a number of underclassman backs, including Edwards, who despite having an unexpectedly inefficient season, possesses NFL-level talent.
Edwards, standing at 6-foot and weighing 202 pounds, has a larger physique. He is sometimes utilized in sporadic gadget plays and boasts more impressive receiving production. However, he has struggled to excel as a runner this season and frequently defers to Corum in crucial situations.
The defense of Washington can concede a bit against strong run games, however, the Huskies possess several significant players in the front seven, including Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui on the edges.
Trice, standing at 6-3 and weighing 280 pounds, left a significant impact on the Huskies’ Sugar Bowl victory through his two sacks, a pivotal forced fumble in the third quarter, and an even more critical fumble recovery in the fourth. Despite his average athletic traits, his high-effort rushing, tenacity, and instincts make up for it. On the other hand, ZTF is an athletic rusher with physical traits that outshine his overall package.
Other solid contributors for the Huskies up front include defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa and linebackers Carson Bruener and Edefuan Ulofoshio.
Washington’s main difficulty this season was pass defense. Although Michigan’s passing game isn’t top-tier, its wide receivers, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, could potentially exploit the Huskies’ secondary. This group showed their mettle in the late stages of the game against Texas, yet they were under pressure throughout the entire match.
