Tonight, college football fans will tune into the season’s most anticipated game as the Michigan Wolverines compete against the Washington Huskies for the College Football Playoff National Championship title.
To start the new year, the Wolverines competed against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Michigan managed to clinch a 27-20 win against Alabama, securing their spot in the National Championship game. Later in the evening, the Huskies secured a win against the Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. Washington scored 37-31, allowing them to proceed to the National Championship game and face-off against Michigan.
Initiating launch sequence for the CFP National Championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/k7hhkeyYMT
— ESPN (@espn) January 7, 2024
A Glimpse Into Their 2023-24 Seasons:
Looking back at the 2023-24 college football season, Michigan had a strenuous journey to the National Championship game. While the Wolverines had an undefeated season, it came with a significant cost to the team’s perception in the public eye.
On October 19, 2023, Michigan Football was accused of sign-stealing and sending people to the games of future opponents of theirs. The team faced extreme scrutiny from the public, press, and Big Ten institutions. The Big Ten decided to hand Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh his second suspension of the season, in which he would have to comply with a three-game suspension. The suspension caused Harbaugh to sit out of the season’s final three games, which were imperative to the team’s success in securing a playoff spot.
Amidst the absence of their head coach, Michigan was able to finish their season undefeated. Harbaugh returned just in time to help his team clinch the Big Ten title, secure the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff, and win the Rose Bowl.
MICHIGAN IS VICTORIOUS IN PASADENA‼️
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
Next stop: CFP National Championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/DirC4NBY02
This season marked the second time in the Washington Huskies’ program history in which the team made a College Football Playoff appearance. In the 2023-24 regular season, the Huskies dominated the Pac-12 as they had an undefeated season and went on to the Pac-12 title game.
The Huskies secured their spot in the College Football Playoff following their 34-31 win over No. 5 Oregon for the Pac-12 Championship title. Washington has continued to exceed expectations as they were the underdogs in both the Pac-12 title game and the Sugar Bowl game. Despite all odds, they persevered and clinched both of those wins.
HUSKIES HISTORY! 👏@UW_Football defeats Texas to clinch its first-ever spot in the CFP National Championship 🏆💪 pic.twitter.com/TDK1tNHiQF
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 2, 2024
National Championship Game History:
Today marks the first time that Michigan and Washington will be making an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Michigan currently holds nine national titles, with their most recent one being in 1997 before the College Football Playoff was established in 2014. The institution also secured two national titles after the poll era was established in 1936.
Before the establishment of the poll era, the NCAA had different selection committees to decide which team should win the national titles, which is how the Wolverines claimed seven of their nine titles. In the modern-day College Football Playoff era, Michigan has yet to win a National Championship title, and tonight might mark a first for the Big Ten powerhouse.
Like Michigan, the Huskies have not won a national title since the establishment of the College Football Playoff in 2014. Before 2014, the Huskies claimed two national titles. One title was claimed in 1960, and the second in 1991. Tonight’s matchup will determine which team will take home their very first National Championship title from the College Football Playoff era.
Odds for the National Championship Game:
The University of Michigan is entering the National Championship game as favorites. The Wolverines are favored on the point spread as the team is -4.5. Michigan is also a favorite on the moneyline as the Wolverines are presently -194, and the Huskies are +160.
Washington is a 4.5-point underdog vs. Michigan in the CFP National Championship 👀
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 3, 2024
(odds via @BetMGM) pic.twitter.com/VX8shFDOfA
While the odds are evidently in Michigan’s favor, the Huskies were predicted to lose both the Pac-12 title game and the Sugar Bowl game. Washington defeated all odds and can continue to do so in tonight’s matchup. As both teams enter the National title game with highly impressive undefeated seasons, college football fans are guaranteed an engaging game.
