Michael Penix Jr. hasn’t faced a defense like Michigan’s, and the Wolverines certainly haven’t faced a quarterback like the Heisman Trophy runner-up from Washington.
The matchup will be the most intriguing in the College Football Playoff championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Jan. 8. That much was assured after the performances of Penix and Michigan’s best-in-the-nation defense in the CFP semifinals Monday.
Penix threw for 430 yards and two touchdowns in the Huskies’ dramatic 37-31 win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Michigan harassed Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe most of the afternoon and stopped him short on fourth-and-goal at the Wolverines 3 to finish a 27-20 overtime win in the Rose Bowl.
Michigan-Washington will be the third all-time meeting between 14-0 teams. The Wolverines are listed as a 4 1/2-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Washington will give the disintegrating Pac-12 a chance to go out in a blaze of glory. Ten of the Pac-12 programs are dispersing to three of the four remaining power conferences next season. The Huskies will join Michigan in the Big Ten.
Penix, who suffered major knee injuries at Indiana before transferring to Washington last season, became the first quarterback since Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes in 2015-16 to pass for 4,500 yards in back-to-back seasons.
“I said it before the season started, our goal is to win the national championship,” Penix said. “Now we’ve got the shot to do it. Husky Nation, stand up. We’re going to the natty. Let’s go!”
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates on the podium after a win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
The most recent Pac-12 national champion was 2004 Southern California. The Huskies’ only championship was split with Miami in 1991. That was the Huskies’ last unbeaten team. College Football Hall of Fame member Don James was the coach, Mark Brunell was the…
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