After two strong College Football Playoff semi-final games, we have reached the National Championship game. The number one ranked and undefeated Michigan Wolverines met the number two ranked and undefeated Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium in Houston.
This game is a rematch of the 1993 Rose Bowl game, and it is the first college football national championship game since 2014 to not feature a team from the SEC. The game was predicted to be close, with the Wolverines as slight favorites. Who would win this game, and go down in history as a undefeated national champion?
The Wolverines would have the opening possession of the game, and they would be able to get the opening score from this. Starting from their 16-yard line, the Wolverines offense, led by quarterback J.J McCarthy, would quickly advance down to the Huskies’ 41-yard line. From here, Donovan Edwards would find the endzone for a 41-yard rushing touchdown to give the Wolverines the early lead in the National Championship game.
In reply to this, the Huskies would attempt to find the endzone. Starting from their 25-yard line, the Washington Huskies offense, led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr, would slowly make their way down into the Wolverines’ red zone, then to the 8-yard line. This is where the drive would stall setting up a 25-yard field goal attempt from Huskies kicker Grady Gross. Gross would be successful with this attempt, putting the Huskies on the board.
But the Michigan Wolverines offense again would find the endzone of their next drive. McCarthy and company would reach the Washington Huskies 46-yard line. Then, in a similar way to what happened on Michigan’s opening drive, Edwards would again find the endzone to record a 46-yard rushing touchdown to increase the Wolverines’ lead. In response to this touchdown, the Huskies would struggle on their next drive and would be forced to punt back to Michigan.
The Wolverines would add to their lead on the next drive. They would quickly make the Huskies redzone as running back Blake Corum, whose touchdown in overtime put the Wolverines into the National Championship game, recorded a 59-yard run to bring the Michigan offense to the Huskies’ 20-yard line. They were then able to advance to the 14-yard line, but no further. This set up a 31-yard field goal attempt from Wolverines kicker James Turner. Turner would be successful with this kick, extending the Wolverines’ lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, a few drives later there would be a moment that changed the whole direction of this game. For most of the first half, the Wolverines were the superior team on offense, while the Huskies struggled. On the drive in question, the Wolverines would have the ball on the Huskies’ 38-yard line. They attempted a 4th down conversion and needed two yards to keep the drive going. For the majority of this game so far, the Wolverines have played their running game, which would have easily obtained the two yards needed. However, on this occasion, the Wolverines allowed McCarthy to throw the ball. His pass would be incomplete, and the ball would be turned over to the Huskies.
This decision to pass instead of run would be costly for the Wolverines. Starting from their 39-yard line, Penix and company would make it down to the Wolverines 3-yard line. Like the Wolverines, the Huskies would be faced with a 4th down conversion attempt, where the two results would either be a Washington touchdown or a turnover. The former would occur, as Penix would find Jalen McMillan for a 3-yard touchdown pass to bring the Huskies back into this game before halftime.
As the teams returned to the locker room, the Wolverines would have a 17-10 lead over the Huskies in the national championship game.
The Huskies would have the opening possession of the second half and hoped to continue to ride the momentum that they gained at the end of the first half. Unfortunately for the Huskies, this did not happen. On the opening play of the second half, Penix’s pass was intercepted by Will Johnson.
This mistake would prove costly for the Huskies. The Wolverines would be able to drive down to the Huskies 20-yard line, where this drive would stall. This set up a 38-yard field goal attempt for Turner, who would make the kick, extending the Wolverines’ lead.
Washington would want to shake off the mistake from their previous drive and try to get back into this game. The Huskies would be able to get something out of this drive. Starting from their 25-yard line, the Penix-led offense would advance down the field and would reach the Wolverines’ 28-yard line, where the drive would stall. This set up a 45-yard field goal attempt for Gross, which would be successful. This made it a one-possession game.
There would then be 6 drives where nothing would happen. Even in a National Championship game between the two best teams in college football, the “Festival of Kicking” raises its head.
The punting streak would be broken in the fourth quarter with a drive from the Wolverines. McCarthy and company would be able to move the offense down to the Huskies 12-yard line. From here, Blake Corum would find the endzone for a 12-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Wolverines lead to two possessions. The next drive from the Huskies would be very important for this game, and their national championship hopes. They would have to score a touchdown to keep themselves in the game. Could they do this?
Embed from Getty ImagesThe drive would start on the Huskies’ 25-yard line. Penix would then be able to move his offense quickly down to the Wolverines; 30-yard line. Here, the dream-crushing mistake would occur. Penix’s pass would be intercepted by Mike Sainristil, and from this, the ball would be returned to the Huskies’ 8-yard line.
To add further insult to injury, the Wolverines would score one more touchdown to fully cement their national championship title. After the return on the Penix interception took the Wolverines to the Huskies’ 8-yard line, they would soon move down to the one-yard line. From here, Blake Corum would find the endzone for a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend the misery on the Huskies.
All the game clock turned to all zeros, the number one ranked Michigan Wolverines had defeated the number two ranked Washington Huskies 34-13 to win the 2024 College Football National Championship Game.
This victory gives the Wolverines their first national championship since 1997, and their 12th overall. They will also end the year unbeaten, with a 15-0 record, which makes them only the fourth team to do so. Questions will be asked about this Wolverines team and their coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh was suspended for 6 games this season, with the latter 3 due to the Wolverines alleged sign stealing. Harbaugh has also been linked to many NFL teams, so this could be his final game as head coach of the Wolverines.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe defeat will give the Huskies an impressive 14-1 record for the season and give the PAC-12 conference an honorable send-off. Next week, the Huskies move to the Big Ten, where we see a rematch between these two teams. However, the Huskies will be without head coach Kalen DeBoer. DeBoer has transformed this program, but, as it has been reported, will be leaving the Huskies to coach the Alabama Crimson Tide, as long-time head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement this year.
Congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines, the 2024 College Football National Champions!
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
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