Heading into championship weekend in college football a lot was still to be decided. On Friday, in the final Pac-12 game, Washington “upset,” the Oregon Ducks in a thrilling 34-31 matchup that will be talked about forever with excitement and sadness. After college football fans wiped away their Friday night tears, they woke up to Texas destroying Oklahoma State. In the late afternoon, Alabama shocked Georgia in the SEC championship game ending their 29-game win streak. As Michigan comfortably beat Iowa and Florida State remained undefeated and limped across the line against Louisville, the College Football Playoff committee had to deliberate.
The committee ended up picking Michigan(1), Washington(2), Texas(3), and Alabama(4) for the final time with four teams. Just like in every other area of our national discourse in our country, the nation is divided. Many people argue going undefeated in a Power Five conference should mean something like in Florida State’s case. Others believe that having a backup or third-string quarterback starting in a playoff game will significantly decrease your chances of winning and the public’s interest in the game.
Whichever team drew Florida State in the playoffs would have an unfair advantage and essentially a free walk. This is because there is no statistical evidence using basic defensive stats that support Florida State being an all-time defense or even a clear number-one defense in the country.
College Football Playoff Matchup #1: Alabama vs. Michigan
The QB’s
JJ. McCarthy: Michigan
Been there, done that. JJ McCarthy has played in some big games so far in his three-year college career. He played in a playoff game last year against TCU, in which he threw two interceptions. This season McCarthy has thrown four total picks to go along with 19 touchdowns. His stats won’t jump off the table, but his team trusts him to make the big throws in big spots.
Jalen Milroe: Alabama
Similarly to McCarthy, Milroe’s pure passing stats won’t jump off the page. Earlier this year Milroe was benched and then responded immensely. What perceived shortcomings Milroe has in the passing game, he certainly makes up for it in the run game. He accounted for 12 touchdowns this season and his legs even led to Kirby Smart putting a QB spy on him whenever he dropped back to pass. Milroe does have great receivers to throw to which probably gives him an edge, while McCarthy has a far better running attack.
Players to Watch
Blake Corum: RB Michigan
“Blake the Great,” as some announcers call him, has followed up an 18-touchdown season with 24 touchdowns. After an injury against Illinois last year, Corum was unavailable versus TCU in the playoff. He has a nose for the end zone and along with the Michigan offensive linemen should decide the game for Michigan. He does share carries with another running back in Donovan Edwards and should be fresh the whole game.
Dallas Turner: Edge Rusher Alabama
A projected top-5 pick in this year’s upcoming draft, Dallas Turner is a game-wrecker. He’s an explosive athlete who uses his speed to get around the outside of offensive linemen. It looks to be the best matchup of the game will be the Alabama defensive line versus the Michigan offensive line. Turner will play a big part in that. At 6’4, watch out for Turner trying to bat passes down if he isn’t able to make it to the quarterback.
Team Vibes
Michigan
After a massive controversy over sign stealing that evolved over the middle part of the season and resulted in their head coach being suspended for three games, Michigan responded emphatically. They won the three games coach Harbaugh was out for, including big wins against Penn State and Ohio State. They have positioned themselves as “us against the world,” and seemed to have all the momentum in the world. Now that Harbaugh has returned, he now has rumors of leaving for the NFL. Plus with a month until the game versus Alabama, Michigan feels like a Ferrari that has driven into a town with one stoplight which is red. Their reaction to playing Alabama was less than ideal. The question is if Michigan can generate the momentum it had, and when that light turns green will they go, or will their engine sputter?
Alabama
No one wants to play against Alabama in the College Football Playoff. No one wants to play against Nick Saban. A team that has constantly teetered on the edge of disaster this season, from almost losing to South Florida at the beginning of the season to converting a 4th and goal on the 31-yard line to beat rivals Auburn. A team that is never out of it, with the history of that jersey, is a team that should be feared. Alabama may not be the best team in this playoff and may be ranked properly, but make no mistake, no one wants to pick against them.
Prediction: Alabama 31 Michigan 24
College Football Playoff Matchup #2: Washington vs. Texas
Las Vegas, Nevada- Washington celebrates the final Pac-12 Championship with a win over Oregon on December 1st, 2023 (Credit-Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
The QB’s
Michael Penix Jr: Washington
Michael Penix Jr. is the best quarterback in the entire College Football Playoff. He might win the Heisman or at worst finish second. Penix has played four ranked teams in his last five games. This Washington team is the most battle-tested in the country, thus making Penix the most battle-tested quarterback. In the biggest moments, he rises. An uber-accurate quarterback who is throwing to one of if not the best-receiving corps in the country, Penix is a lot of fun to watch due to being a lefty and his accuracy.
Quinn Ewers: Texas
In terms of natural, raw ability, Quinn Ewers is the most gifted quarterback in the College Football Playoff. He sometimes looks like he got recruited to play in the local turkey bowl on Thanksgiving due to someone seeing him throw any object. He’s not super polished, but he’s got an incredible arm and throws a beautiful ball. Ewers has an amazing offense to operate in, and like Penix, has great receivers to throw to.
Players to Watch
Rome Odunze: Wide Receiver Washington
Rome Odunze stands at 6’3 and he uses all of his height to make some spectacular catches. His stats jump off the page with 81 catches and 13 touchdowns. He will present a challenge for Texas because they cannot double-team him due to the quality of the other receivers on Washington. Odunze can also run any route in the route tree. He seems like an NFL receiver playing in college, with his ability to always know where the first down is and how far he has to run the route.
Keilan Robinson: Running back Texas
One might ask why a running back with 12 carries all season has made a “players to watch,” list. With those 12 carries, he has three touchdowns, two coming against Oklahoma State last Saturday. He averages about 11 yards per carry. Robinson is also the primary kickoff return man and has a 95-yard touchdown this season. With starting running back Jonathon Brooks out for the season, Robinson should get more touches and is a homerun hitter when he touches the ball. Watch out if number seven is in the game on offense, as he might just go all the way.
Team Vibes
Washington
As someone who is currently living in the state of Washington, I can tell you that the national perception of them doesn’t match what people here think of them. The Huskies and their fans think they can play with anyone. They’ve had to survive some games in which they didn’t play well, just to make it to a rematch against a team they beat (Oregon) in which they weren’t favored. The truth is Washington is tough to play against, with a (potential) Heisman quarterback, great receivers, and a competent defense. Their coach, Kalen DeBoer, is one of the best coaches and in-game coaches I’ve seen all year.
Texas
Texas is back! Well, I think beating Alabama at home earlier this season was the official declaration of the Longhorns becoming relevant again. This is a tremendous team that already looks like an SEC team in the way they dominate the line of scrimmage. Steve Sarkisian is an offensive wizard and just like Washington, they’ll be tough to stop on offense. No matter the outcome of this game, this season has finally set up Texas for sustained success and dominance.
Prediction: Washington 41, Texas 45
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Featured Image: Dylan Buell/Getty Images
