The 2024 National Championship Game features the 14-0 Washington Huskies against the 14-0 Michigan Wolverines. Here is the 2024 National Championship Game preview.
Washington Huskies (14-0)
Washington won 13 games to make the College Football Playoff. They won eight games against teams that made bowl games during the regular season: Oregon (twice), Boise State, California, Arizona, USC, Utah and Oregon State.
In the Sugar Bowl, they defeated Texas 37-31. Washington passed for 430 yards, as starting quarterback Michael Penix stole the show with his pinpoint accuracy downfield. Although Texas made a rally late, Washington was able to hang on for the win.
The Huskies score 37.6 points per game, ranking them 11th in the country. They pass for 350 yards (ranked first) and rush for 123.6 yards per game (ranked 102nd).
Michael Penix Jr. had a great season that saw him become a Heisman finalist. He passed for 4,648 yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 66.7 percent completion. Five players have at least 300 receiving yards on the season. Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk have been stars at the position with 1,553 and 1,122 receiving yards respectively. Jalen McMillan battled injuries but still registered 526 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
One running back has handled most of the workload for the Huskies. Dillon Johnson has been a workhorse running back with 1,162 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. He was battling an injury, but also had to leave the game on the last Washington offensive play of the game against Texas. Will Nixon and Tybo Rogers will have to step up if he can’t play, but neither has registered 200 rushing yards this season.
On defense, Washington allows 24.1 points per game, ranking 53th in the country. They concede 137.1 rushing yards (ranked 41st) and 267.1 passing yards per game (ranked 120th). Dominique Hampton leads the team with 98 total tackles. Bralen Trice has pressured the passer with seven sacks on the season. Jabbar Muhammad has made plays on the ball with 13 passes defended and three interceptions.
Michigan Wolverines (14-0)
Michigan went undefeated to make their third straight College Football Playoff. They defeated eight games against bowl-eligible teams this season: UNLV, Bowling Green, Rutgers, Minnesota (finished season at 5-7), Penn State, Maryland, Ohio State and Iowa.
In the Rose Bowl, they defeated Alabama 27-20 in overtime. Michigan’s defense only gave up 288 total yards to Alabama and just 116 were through the air. The Wolverines ran the ball decently well against a tough Alabama front with 130 rushing yards.
The Wolverines score 36.0 points per game, ranking 15th in the FBS. They pass for 218.9 yards (ranked 73rd) and rush for 159.5 yards per game (ranked 62nd).
J.J. McCarthy has started at quarterback for the Wolverines for the second-straight season and has played well. He has 2,851 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions on 73.2 percent completion. Six players have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Roman Wilson has been the go-to receiver with 45 receptions for 735 yards and 12 touchdowns. Colston Loveland and Cornelius Johnson have produced with 585 and 579 receiving yards respectively.
The Wolverines have two running backs who do the work on the ground. Blake Corum has been the lead back with 1,111 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Behind him, Donovan Edwards has registered 393 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The Wolverines allow 10.2 points per game, which ranks first in the country. They give up 93.1 rushing yards (ranked eighth) and 150.0 passing yards per game (ranked second). Junior Colson leads the team with 89 total tackles. Jaylen Harrell has a team-high with 6.5 sacks. Mike Sainristill has made a lot of key plays with six passes defended and five interceptions.
Prediction
Michigan has more talent on their roster. They should be able to move the ball on the ground against Washington, meaning J.J. McCarthy will only need to make timely throws to defeat the Huskies. Michigan’s defense has plenty of talented defense in their secondary to slow down Washington’s offense just enough to win the game.
Michigan Wolverines 31 Washington Huskies 28
Check out our college football page for more content like 2024 National Championship Game Preview!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
- SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
- PlatoData.Network Vertical Generative Ai. Empower Yourself. Access Here.
- PlatoAiStream. Web3 Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
- PlatoESG. Carbon, CleanTech, Energy, Environment, Solar, Waste Management. Access Here.
- PlatoHealth. Biotech and Clinical Trials Intelligence. Access Here.
- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/sports/2024-national-championship-game-preview/2024/01/02/
