The Michigan Wolverines (14-0) and Washington Huskies (14-0) play for the college football national championship. Follow along here.
Game day is here. The Michigan Wolverines vs. the Washington Huskies for the College Football Playoff national championship. No. 1 vs. No. 2. The last remaining 14-0 teams, both looking for their first national title since the 1990s. (They’ll even rematch next season in Seattle, when Washington joins the Big Ten.)
We are following all the action in Houston, from pregame preparation to in-game action to postgame celebration (and agony). Keep your eyes here and hit refresh periodically for real-time updates from the game.
THE GAME: Why I think Michigan cements epic season with national title
Michigan showed up to NRG stadium two hours before kickoff for its normal pregame routine. Jim Harbaugh rolled in wearing a navy sweatsuit, and the rest of the players followed shortly after. On the field, players started to go through their pregame rituals and Harbaugh gave a quick interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, reiterating the team is locked in on finishing the job.
– Jared Ramsey
Michigan and Washington fans are out and about, enjoying the pregame festivities hours ahead of the football game. There’s corn hole, a mechanical bull in the shape of a football and much more. Browse through our photo gallery, shot by Free Press photographer Junfu Han, from Houston outside NRG Stadium.
—Marlowe Alter
Thankfully, NRG Stadium has a roof, so weather won’t affect college football’s biggest game of the season. But the surrounding area could be in danger.
Houston is part of a swath of Texas and Louisiana under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. ET as parts of the Gulf of Mexico are hit by extreme weather. Houston’s Office of Emergency Management has advised fans to get to the stadium and be indoors early to avoid the worst of the incoming inclement weather. The game kicks off just after 7:30 ET.
—Kevin Skiver
Matchup: No. 1 Michigan (14-0) vs. No. 2 Washington (14-0), CFP title game.
Time: 7:30 p.m.; NRG Stadium, Houston.
TV/radio: ESPN (and its family of networks); WXYT-FM (97.1), WTKA-AM (1050).
At stake: Michigan is looking for its first national title since winning the AP vote following the 1997 season (with Nebraska earning the coaches vote). Washington is looking for its first national title since winning the coaches vote following the 1991 season (with Miami winning the AP vote).
—Ryan Ford
RAINER SABIN: After a long climb, will Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh reach the top?
Michigan football: Instant reaction to first day of College Football Playoff practices
“Hail Yes!” podcast hosts Tony Garcia and Rainer Sabin discuss Michigan football’s Saturday in Houston and their opponent: Washington.
Must listen: Make “Hail Yes!” your go-to Michigan Wolverines podcast, available anywhere you listen to shows including Apple and Spotify. Subscribe now!
On this episode, Michigan football beat writer Tony Garcia and Big Ten football insider Rainer Sabin take a look back at the Wolverines’ epic Rose Bowl win, and give their final takes on the CFP title game vs. Washington and familiar quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Listen in the player embedded below or wherever you get your podcasts.
—Marlowe Alter
ESPN is bringing back its “MegaCast” for the College Football Playoff national championship, offering fans multiple ways to watch the big game when it kicks off.
Here is how ESPN will air Michigan vs. Washington:
ESPN: Main telecastESPN2: Field Pass (with The Pat McAfee Show)ESPNU: Command CenterESPNEWS: SkycastESPN Sports: Spanish LanguageESPN Radio: National Radio BroadcastESPN 4K: 4K SkyCamESPN app: All-22ESPN app: Michigan Hometown RadioESPN app: Washington Hometown RadioESPN app: Pregame & Halftime Bands
—Brian Manzullo
The 2024 College Football Playoff championship game between Michigan football and Washington is set to be a heavyweight battle between the two remaining undefeated Power Five teams in the country. Many experts seem to agree the Wolverines are the more likely team to win, though acknowledge Heisman Trophy candidate Michael Penix Jr. is good enough to keep things interesting. Here’s a national roundup of college football expert predictions, and here are our staff predictions for tonight.
—Jared Ramsey
Michigan is now a 5½-point favoriteas of Monday afternoon, to win its first national championship in 26 years, according to BetMGM. Michigan has a 74.3% chance to win the title, according to ESPN Analytics.
The point total over/under is down a point to 55½.
Michigan is -210 on the moneyline compared to Washington +175. (This means you’d have to risk $210 on Michigan to win to earn a profit of $100; you’d win $175 taking Washington on a $100 bet.)
—Marlowe Alter
The Wolverines own an 8-5 record in their 13 games against the Huskies. Michigan dominated the early part of the series, winning each of the first four contests, all of which came by at least two touchdowns, including a 50-0 triumph in the first-ever meeting between the programs on Sept. 26, 1953 in Ann Arbor. Since the late 1970s, though, it has been decidedly more even. Starting with a 27-20 Washington victory in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 1978, Michigan is 4-5 against the Huskies, including a 2-2 mark in the Rose Bowl. Here’s more on the series history.
—Craig Meyer
2024-01-08 22:18:45
#MichiganWashington #CFP #national #championship
