Michigan’s performance against Alabama was subpar, especially when it came to special teams. Even so, the Wolverines prevailed following an exciting overtime conclusion. It seems like they would have won the game easily if they hadn’t made the mistakes.
In the Sugar Bowl, however, Washington never fell behind Texas. With multiple attempts at the end zone in the closing seconds of the game, the Longhorns created quite an intriguing finish. However, Michael Penix Jr. heated up quickly and never let up, finishing 29 of 38 throws for 430 yards. He presents the Wolverines with their greatest quarterbacking challenge to date this season.
Though they may be made of maize and blue glasses, the Wolverines appear to benefit from the way these two compare. This season, Washington’s defence has given up 404.1 yards per game and is rated 44th on SP+. That is ranked 94th overall in defence. They are 41st in the nation in the run game, which is somewhat better than their opponents, who give up 267.1 passing yards per game, which is 120th in college football.
Before Washington moved the defence to 11th place following a subpar showing in the Sugar Bowl, exas’ defence was ranked among the top 10 defences according to SP+ last week. The Longhorns struggled all season against teams that could throw the ball: Will Howard of Kansas State took Texas to overtime with 327 yards and four touchdowns from the air; Dillon Gabriel of Oklahoma ran for another 113 yards and two touchdowns from the air; and Donovan Smith of Houston nearly pulled off an upset with 378 yards and three touchdowns from the air.
Exas’ defensive was rated among the top 10 defenders by SP+ last week, but Washington bumped the defence to 11th spot after a poor performance in the Sugar Bowl. The season saw the Longhorns struggle against teams that could throw the ball: Donovan Smith of Houston almost pulled off an upset with 378 yards and three touchdowns from the air; Will Howard of Kansas State forced Texas into overtime with 327 yards and four touchdowns; and Dillon Gabriel of Oklahoma ran for another 113 yards and two touchdowns.
The health of running back Dillon Johnson will be crucial to the Washington offence. He had an impact towards the end of the season, scoring three touchdowns on the ground in the final six games. The leading rusher for the Huskies, who has been sidelined for the majority of the season, scored two touchdowns against Texas before re-injuring his foot late in the fourth quarter. He seems to be planning to try his luck in the national championship game; who knows how successful he will end up being, but this Washington offence would be much more one-dimensional without him.
