Staff Picks for Title Game

College football puts a bow on the 2023 season Monday night when No. 1 Michigan takes on No. 2 Washington in the national championship game.  It’s been a season that won’t soon be forgotten seeing as the team with the literal No. 1 next to their name saw their head coach suspended for half of the regular season.

But who wins on Monday night?

Does Jim Harbaugh win and take his national championship to the NFL?

Or does Washington, who is in just their second year under head coach Kalen DeBoer, take home the crown?

Here is what the Fighting Irish Wire crew sees happening Monday night between a couple of soon-to-be Big Ten rivals.

Geoffrey Clark:

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan got through Alabama, which alone makes them the favorite. That’s not to take away from Washington’s thrilling win over Texas, but neither team has gotten this far under the current format, and I simply have to go with the team that has had the better season, tainted as it was. The Wolverines are what the TV Tropes community calls a Karma Houdini, and they’ll prove it in this game.

Michigan 38, Washington 20

Michael Chen

Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports

With everything happening around the Michigan program, how can you not root against them? The cheating allegations will tarnish this team’s legacy forever, regardless of what happens on Monday night against Washington. Karma finally catches up with the Wolverines, who have faced off against Michael Penix before, when he was at Indiana. They also have recently faced a Penix-less Huskies team, and they went their way. It won’t tonight, as Washington’s air raid overcomes the Wolverines solid defense. 

Washington 41 Michigan 28

John Kennedy:

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Despite their off-field issues, of which there are many, Michigan has rolled through their season on the field. They…


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Author : Fighting Irish Wire

Publish date : 2024-01-08 15:05:48

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