Tale of the Tape: The CFP Championship

01/08/2024 Tale of the Tape: The CFP Championship

By: Jeff Yoder

The CFP National Championship: #1 Michigan vs. #2 Washington (Tonight, 7:30 pm ET, ESPN)

It’s the Big One! The college football season will come to a close tonight with a first-time CFB Playoff winner. It’s #1 Michigan vs. #2 Washington at Houston’s NRG Stadium for all the marbles (7:30 pm ET, ESPN). Michigan’s dominant defense gets a crack at the Heisman Trophy runner-up, Michael Penix Jr., and the high-flying Washington offense. The Wolverines rank #1 in the country in scoring defense, but the Huskies rank #1 in passing offense. It’s a dream matchup for the Big Ten and Pac-12. Both conferences have only produced 3 out of 18 National Championship finalists combined over the past 9 years of the CFB Playoff. Those three finalists were Ohio State (2) and Oregon. The SEC (10) and ACC (4) — Georgia, Alabama and Clemson — have largely had a stranglehold on the CFP finale.

 

Here’s a breakdown (by the numbers) to get you ready for tonight’s epic CFP title game.

 

🏆 CFP National Championship

(Tale of the Tape)

 

#1 Michigan (14-0)

  • Biggest Strength: Scoring Defense (10.2 ppg, Ranks 1st)
  • Biggest Weakness: Passing Offense (218.9 ypg, Ranks 73rd)
  • Past Championships: 1997
  • Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (Overall: 117-46)
  • QB: J.J. McCarthy (Stats: 2,851 yards, 22 TDs, 4 INTs)
  • Leading Rusher: Blake Corum (1,111 yards, 25 TDs)
  • Leading Receiver: Roman Wilson (735 yards, 12 TDs)

 

#2 Washington (14-0)

  • Biggest Strength: Passing Offense (350.0 ypg, Ranks 1st)
  • Biggest Weakness: Total Defense (404 ypg, Ranks 97th)
  • Past Championships (2): 1991 & 1960
  • Head Coach: Kalen DeBoer (Overall: 104-11)
  • QB: Michael Penix Jr. (Stats: 4,648 yards, 35 TDs, 9 INTs)
  • Leading Rusher: Dillon Johnson (1,162 yards, 16 TDs)
  • Leading Receiver: Rome Odunze (1,553 yards, 13 TDs)

 

Wolverines. Huskies. Harbaugh. Penix Jr… One bowl to rule them all.

 

🏆 CFP National Championship

#1 Michigan vs. #2 Washington (7:30 pm ET, ESPN)

 

Read More

CBS Sports: Michigan vs. Washington: Predictions, Odds, Spread & More

SI: Michigan & Washington’s Success Defies Recruiting Logic

Sporting News: CFP Championship Picks: Experts Favor Michigan Over Washington

 

Image: Joe Stella / Media Mobilize