HOUSTON—The highly anticipated college football national championship game is set to take place on Monday night, featuring two undefeated teams: the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines and the No. 2 Washington Huskies. This will be the first appearance in the College Football Playoff final for both teams, as well as their first time competing for a national championship.
In a departure from previous years, this game will not feature a team from the SEC, marking only the second time since 2005 that the championship game has not included an SEC team. Instead, it will be a matchup between two current and future members of the Big Ten.
The game will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Fans can catch the game on ESPN, with commentators Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit calling the action. ESPN will also offer alternative broadcasts on its other channels, including Field pass with “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN2, Command Center on ESPNU, Skycast on ESPNews, and a Spanish-language broadcast on ESPN Deportes.
As for the odds, the Wolverines are currently favored by five points over the Huskies, according to the BetMGM college football odds. The over-under for the game is set at 56 points.
In terms of predictions, experts at USA TODAY Sports have weighed in with their picks. Scooby Axson predicts a Washington victory with a score of 34-24, while Jace Evans leans towards Michigan with a score of 35-31. Other experts have made similar predictions, with some giving the edge to Michigan and others favoring Washington.
One key player to watch in the game is Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The junior quarterback has had an impressive season, completing over 66% of his passes for 4,648 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. On the Washington side, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been a standout performer, throwing for 9,289 yards, 66 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.
The last time these two teams met was in 2021, with Michigan coming out on top with a 31-10 victory. Overall, Michigan holds the historical edge in the head-to-head matchup, with 8 wins compared to Washington’s 5.
As the anticipation builds for the national championship game, many are wondering about the future of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. Rumors have circulated about the possibility of Harbaugh leaving Michigan to return to the NFL, but the coach himself has remained tight-lipped about his plans.
In conclusion, the stage is set for an exciting showdown between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies in the college football national championship game. Both teams are undefeated and hungry for their first national championship. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston. It’s sure to be a thrilling night of football for fans and players alike.