CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington square off for national championship in meeting of unbeatens
Jan 8, 2024, 3:41 pm
Michigan and Washington square off at NRG on Monday night. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.
Championship Game: No. 1 Michigan (14-0, Big Ten) vs. No. 2 Washington (14-0, Pac-12), Monday, NRG Stadium in Houston, 7:30 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)
FanDuel Sportsbook Line: Michigan by 4 1/2
Series record: Michigan leads 8-5
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Michigan is playing for its first national championship since 1997 and Washington for its first since 1991. The Wolverines, who have won nine national titles, beat Alabama 27-20 in overtime at the Rose Bowl to reach the championship game. Washington, which has two national titles, beat Texas 37-31 at the Sugar Bowl to advance. The game also sets the stage for Washington's move from the disintegrating Pac-12 to the Big Ten. The Wolverines and Huskies meet again Oct. 5 for a regular-season game in Seattle.
KEY MATCHUP
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. vs. Michigan defense. The Heisman Trophy runner-up is the nation's leading passer for the second straight year. The Wolverines' defense has no weaknesses, having allowed an FBS-low seven touchdown passes and a front seven that can wreak havoc. Penix can make all the throws and, like he has done every game with his deep and talented group of receivers, will test the secondary with deep throws. The Huskies offensive line, which won the Joe Moore Award as the nation's best, has allowed just 11 sacks and will face a pass-rush that attacks in creative ways.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Washington: RB Dillon Johnson aggravated a right foot injury late in the Sugar Bowl but has vowed to be ready to go against Michigan. The Mississippi State transfer has been a bit overshadowed because the Huskies' passing game is so prolific. He's run for 732 yards and 10 touchdowns over the last six games. Just as important, he has been outstanding in pass protection. He has allowed Penix to get hit just once and hurried five times in 79 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Michigan: RB Blake Corum will be front and center as the J.J. McCarthy-led Wolverines try to dictate the pace of the game and keep the ball away from Penix. Corum is the fulcrum of the rushing game that averages 37.5 attempts per game and is committed to wearing down opponents. His rushing total (79 ypg) doesn't jump off the page, but 71 of his 237 carries have gone for first downs and he's scored a nation-leading 25 of the Wolverines' 36 rushing TDs.
FACTS & FIGURES
The championship game wraps up a successful yet messy season for Michigan. Coach Jim Harbaugh served separate three-game suspensions, the first for alleged recruiting violations and the second for the Wolverines' alleged scheme to steal opponents' signs using on-site scouting and video equipment. The NCAA continues to investigate. ... Despite reporters' best efforts to elicit a comment, Harbaugh batted away questions about speculation he is set to make the jump back to the NFL after the game. ... Washington enters with 21 straight wins, the longest active streak in the FBS. ... The Huskies are 25-2 in two seasons under Kalen DeBoer, whose career head coaching record is 104-11. Washington is 10-0 against ranked teams under DeBoer.
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The Rockets beat the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers twice last week before traveling to Boston and pulling out a 114-112 victory over the defending champion Celtics on Monday night.
“We’re over halfway through now and our record is what it is, so it’s not just a fluke or anything,” Houston coach Ime Udoka said. “People watch film and see the physicality and the way that we play, it’s a little different than the rest of the league, maybe that catches people off guard initially, but I wouldn’t say we’re sneaking up on anybody anymore at this point in the season.”
Houston (31-14), which is second in the Western Conference, posted its ninth win in 11 games on Monday. Its record is a few percentage points better than that of the defending NBA champion Celtics (32-15).
The Cavs and Celtics were a combined 104-28 (.788) entering their games against Houston. The Rockets became the first team in NBA history to win three straight games against teams with that high of a winning percentage, with a minimum of 40 games for each opponent, according to OptaSTATS.
Amen Thompson hit a floater over Jaylen Brown with 0.7 seconds left to give the Rockets the victory at Boston.
“We feel like we can beat anybody, and this road trip is really proving that,” Thompson said.
Led by a balanced lineup featuring Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, veteran Fred VanVleet, Thompson and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets have been rolling since their 23-point home loss to the Celtics on Jan. 3.
“We don’t like to lose at home, especially to the Celtics,” Thompson said. “We just come in here every day and we just try to win.”
Teams around the league are taking notice of what Houston is doing. After the Cavaliers finished off their 19-point home win over Detroit on Monday, they spent time in the postgame locker room watching the Rockets’ victory.
“We’re just playing hard, playing together,” said Brooks, who finished with a 36 points against Boston, including a 10-of-15 performance from 3-point range.
“We have trust in one another,” Brooks said.
The Rockets are plenty confident, but they understand big wins mean nothing if they can't follow them up. They’ll get that chance Tuesday night when they play at Atlanta.
“Playing some of the top teams obviously gives us some confidence,” Udoka said.