The Washington Huskies have gone 1-0 every step of the way, all season long—14 times. Monday, they face the similarly unbeaten Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoffs Championship Game at 4:30 Pacific time on ESPN.
Here are Washington’s keys to bathing Michigan:
Penix’s Show
The last act has arrived. After two years of Micheal Penix slinging the ball around for the purple and gold it all comes down to this. After 4,648 yards, and 35 touchdowns, Michael Penix will lead the Huskies out one last time.
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After dominating against Texas Penix will have a tougher test with the Michigan Wolverines. This Michigan defense is the best in the country, and has allowed the fewest pass TD’s and second fewest yards of any team in the country.
This Wolverines defense really has no weakness, they held Marvin Harrison Jr. to “only” 118 yards. You imagine that Rome Odunze will get all sorts of attention meaning Penix will need to spread the ball around, but he has been exceptional at that all season.
Penix is the biggest name in the country, and it’s time for him to show out in the biggest game.
Make JJ Win
Over the last five game Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has the same amount of games passing under 100 yards as he does over 200. Simply put, he is not winning football games for the Wolverines.
For Washington fans watching this Michigan offense will be quite different from the electric attack powered by Penix. Michigan will look to dominate at the line of scrimmage and run the football, only turning to JJ McCarthy for brief moments.
The Huskies forced Ewers to struggle early and they need to do the same to McCarthy. Michigan hasn’t trailed much this year, and haven’t needed to use the veteran QB.
If the Huskies can take this game out of the hands of Blake Corum, and force the Wolverines to throw Bralen Trice will do what he does best and make life hell for the Wolverines.
Ball Out
At this point there is nothing else to do. This skill group has done it all. More than 6,000 yards, 65 touchdowns, and 14 wins. Rome Odunze is the big name, he dominated against Texas and will look to do the same tomorrow night.
He will be getting big time attention meaning other players will be asked to step up. When Odunze is getting extra attention the Huskies have the weapons to keep up production. Ja’Lynn Polk went over 100 against the Longhorns as well.
Jalen McMillan has been a third option since his knee injury, but he is one of the best receivers in the country. Michigan has a top end defense, but there is simply no secondary in the country slowing the Huskies down.
Even if every DB on Michigan plays the game of their life, Jack Westover is one of the best big moment tight ends in the country.
Run The Damn Ball?
It’s the question that has hung over the Huskies all week, after Dillon Johnson was injured in the Huskies last offensive snap against Texas. Johnson didn’t have his best game that night, but his 21 carries were important in setting up the Husky offense.
If he is healthy and making plays Michigan will have a much tougher time committing to stopping the air attack. The game won’t come down to Dillon Johnson alone, but if DJ gets going there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop the Huskies on offense.
Johnson’s health is going to be a concern, but that’s been the case all year. Dillon Johnson has been a beast all year, and he has one more game to add to that.
Tackle, Please
Texas made the Huskies run defense look silly, and by the end of the game they were passing it well too. Michigan’s rushing game is so much more than what the Longhorns had. Blake Corum leads one of the best backfields in the nation, and if you remember, ran all over the Huskies last time these two met.
Michigan is a big and physical team, but sometimes has struggled to put points up against good teams. If the Huskies can at least slow down the run, the Wolverines will have a tough time in keeping pace with the Huskies.
But if Michigan is running the ball at will, the Huskies defense could be on the field all night.
