Michigan vs Washington - National Championship Prediction (Late Kick Cut) 

I couldn't understand why the books opened this line at only Michigan -4. I jacked it up and took the Michigan Wolverines -7.5 (+130) to cover against the Washington Huskies in the National Championship Game. Penix demonstrated he was nothing short of sensational but the Michigan Defense should come to life. He shouldn't be able to shred them up like he did with Texas.

So much factors into the result of a football game that I don't understand how people can be so confident in the predicted outcome. Then people get upset and make excuses when the game doesn't go the way they predicted. Officiating, injuries, little mistakes, it's all apart of the game. May the team who makes the most right and timely adjustments win the chip

I’m a GA fan, but go Blue

Good call. Ml squeaked it out by 21. 😅

Unpopular take, but I don't think this game plays out much differently than the same match-up 2 years ago. Jim doesn't care about style points. He is perfectly comfortable putting on the most boring national championship show we've ever seen. Ground and pound. Run it 40 times, burn the clock, and dare washington to do a damn thing about it. I don't think they can.

Michigan will NOT be baited into not running the ball haha. Have you met Michigan's coach?

Washington's run defense is 130th in success rate. Michigan should be able to dominate time of possession and keep Washington offense off the field. Also, Michigan has 2nd best pass defense. Don't get me wrong, Washington will be able to move the ball. I just don't think they will see the same as their previous success.

Two teams will show up, meet on the field and one of them will walk away as the winner. Hard to tell which one. Perhaps, Michigan because of its rushing and defense. Perhaps, Washington with it incendiary passing attack. That is why we wish fervently for a game like this to end the season. I am a very long Washington fan, 65 years. But, I feel no impulse to put down the opposition. Michigan deserves to be here and so does Washington. Let the games go on!!!!!

It comes down to both D-lines and secondary in my opinion. Whoever is better wins the games.

Hate the huskies. I hope PF Chang was right on the 8th cookie. Is that really how this works?

Josh, pretty new listener here. (UW fan) all I can say is you do a great job with your analysis and commentary whether I agree with you or not. 🙏🙏

I see I was proven very wrong about Washington defeating Michigan in an amazing competitive championship game mainly because the Wolverines never trailed in the championship game. While the Huskies did make it a dramatic close game in the second quarter by scoring a critical touchdown, it was futile because the Huskies couldn’t get the game tied. Any realistic hope of a successful Huskies comeback was ended when the Wolverines had a long return for an interception. Also the Wolverines scored 10 points from 2 turnovers created by the Wolverines defense. Michigan was the better team which doesn’t surprise me because I was proven very wrong by Michigan for how Washington wins the game. The Wolverines did have a great game running the football including 2 touchdowns in the 1st half, it was fruitless that Penix had a great game throwing mainly because the Wolverines defense got pressure on him and because of creating 2 turnovers, the Wolverines did execute more great plays, and the Wolverines scored first which forced the Huskies to have to comeback. I’m happy as a Huskies fan that they gave great effort to attempt to comeback instead of just quit after being faced with adversity. As a Huskies fan it’s a great 2023 season that is very bittersweet because the Wolverines impressively outplayed the Huskies in the National Championship game.

This is the best CFP in memory ... from what I have seen so far ....any one of these teams, could have come out on top at the end. Thankfully, ...... no Cincy, No TCU, no FSU. I have a request for a topic after the CFP over ....with conferences of 16 - 18 teams ... how much harder will it be to create Dynasties ? So much will depend, doubly, on the schedule. 1. What teams you play and 2. What teams you play at home.... if you face your biggest challenges on the road ... and have your cupcakes at home, thats a tough season to get thru when your rival has the opposite. As to the pass comparison, here's how I see it ... Milroe never checks down to his 3rd receiver .... his long passes, for the most part came from when he leaves the pocket, the safety comes off his receiver... Milroe throws and the receiver has the room and time to run under an inaccurate throw.

Thank you for the information!

As a Michigan fan, I appreciate you embracing the wrongness. Every other pundit I've listened to who's been picking against Michigan like you have haven't said a word about their wrongness.

Well played sir. GO BLUE!

Glad you got one right Josh! 1-7 never looked so good. Go Blue!!! Saw you working on the field in the background of the B1G Network's post-game commentary desk last night. Looking forward to your reporting and thoughts on last night's game.

Really great analysis, Josh! In summary ... Push: Michigan's not stellar pass O vs Washington's not stellar pass D. Push: Michigan's stellar D vs Washington's stellar O. Michigan edge (on paper): Michigan's rushing O vs. Washington's rushing D. On paper, Michigan has the edge. Washington will have to flip the script on one of the above.

This game is like B1G version of 2021 Georgia playing against 2019 LSU - would be fun regardless. Go Blue! 42-27 Michigan!

It’s going to be close and I always go with the team with the best QB when it’s close so I’m going with Washington

Feeling confident about a win for either side is foolish. That’s why they play the game. You don’t know and neither do I, but I do find it comical that the Washington fans think the Big10 is weak. I remember Nebraska saying the same thing when they joined the conference. That hasn’t worked out like they thought. Looking forward to the west coast teams joining the Big10. Definitely makes the conference tougher.

As an avid fan of fortune cookie prediction models, well done bypassing the first six.

Washington has nothing to lose because most didn’t expect them to be here in the first place. Me personally I am taking the underdog. Because nothing feels better than doing what people say you cannot do.

NCAA statistics show Texas's defense as #34. That's a long way from playing against the #1 defense (Michigan).

Mich 38-27.. Huskies D not good enough, Michigan will slow them to fg 2 or 3 drives

Josh finally woke up, and picked Michigan! He wrongly picked Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama…I’m surprised he didn’t pick Iowa to beat Michigan! 😆😂🤣

Nobody giving Washington a chance, that’s why I’ll take them👊🏻

Michigan is dramatically more prepared to stop Washington's offense than Washington's defense is to stop Michigan. If the Wolverines can run 32 straight times against Penn State, I don't see how Washington's defense is gonna fare any better. Penix and co will need to be nearly flawless to keep pace with UM's run game, and he's not just facing Texas secondary again. Without a turnover advantage this feels like a classic death by boa constrictor game

This game will resemble my Buckeyes beating Oregon. A rugged, tough, run-first physical team vs a high-paced spread offense. Michigan can run the ball, and their defense is built to stop the run. I expect Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham to stuff Washington's run game. Dillon Johnson being banged up is a problem for Washington, because you need to run the ball if you want to beat Michigan. Alabama could, which is why they had a chance to win. Michigan has the secondary to slow down Washington's passing attack. I think Michigan will dominate the LOS and control the clock. I think Washington's defense is below average. Washington would have to win in a high-scoring shootout, but the game will not be like that. Styles make fights, and Michigan's style works, especially against Washington. I don't think Washington will get enough possessions to put up 40 points, but their below average defense is ripe for the picking. This is a very easy bet. I have Michigan covering and winning easily, 38-27.

Should be a GREAT game !!!

Phew!! 😅 Thank you for sticking with the model! Go Dawgs!

I believe PF Chang's is letting us that Monday's game will be so good that we are all winners in watching. It's fair to compare Wash offense to Bama and OSU but the piece those offenses lack that Washington has is a experience playmaking QB in Penix. And in a close, give me Penix to close it out. UW 35 - UM 33

Washington is a great team glad their in the B10 next year, if Penix has time they win. Michigan going to move up and down the field taking time off the clock and scoring .

I just wish the game was Saturday night

Dillon Johnson's health is the X factor. Not just to maintain a run game threat, but a great pass blocker. If he was healthy I'd say UW. Probably not, so more of a toss up. Unfortunately both can't lose.

Throughout the season, when I've backed Washington, I've won. When I've played against them, I've lost. That's all I have to say.

It feels like Washington has some magic to be here and I'm still taking the wolverines.

The Dawgs Defense has improved mostly due with health and playing together for two really big games. My concern is Washington's ability to run the ball and stop the run. If Dawgs are down in the 4th no big deal however if Michigan is down two scores in the 4th that is a huge deal.

Yes! Keep picking against UW it’s worked great for us all season!

Odunze, Harrison and Nabers... This draft reminder me of the 1988 draft when Michael Irvine from my University of Miami, Tim Brown and Sterling sharp... Three HOF WR's these three from this year are going to be incredible and fun to watch, it's just a matter of who their QB will be to see who will be most successful I am an Odunze guy..

Washington is a scary team, they have an xfactor that is Penix. Great receivers and TEs. Michigan has a few Xfactors too. I think this is a good match up for Michigan. I thought that last year for TCU too. Mistakes throwing the ball, very aggressive defense (Turner) and officiating kinda screwed us. I believe that has been fixed. Mistakes will be very minimal if at all. They probably won’t even throw it much. Officiating might suck but hopefully they are up so many points it won’t matter. Pate is usually never right, but he might be here.

A big thank you from Husky Nation for picking Michigan!😂

Wasington's offense is lethal, Michigan should be able to score on them, but that offense if Penix is on is almost impossible to defend. If Michigan can get pressure in his face he's not nearly as effective, but if he can sit back there in a clean pocket and throw lasers to those receivers it's gonna be tough. Grubb and DeBoer can scheme up a team as well as anyone I've seen, Michigan's offense will need to put up points.

Keep in mind they narrowly beat OSU and that was with McCord tossing two picks. Washington’s chances aren’t as slim as people think, still stylistically I think Michigan matches up well against us and they deserve to be the favorite. It’s going to be a fun game and this will enshrine a cool new rivalry in the Big 10. Go Dawgs

Ever since UW beat Oregon for the second time, I said whole country better watch out. They don’t understand this is the best passing attack of the last 20 years. Michigan is gonna find out in 3 days.

Washington 49 Michigan 14

So what if Wash removes the punt muff, Injury and punt interference?

Damn you, Pate, damn you. Michigan has just received the kiss or death.

Is this guy seriously comparing Washington to a 4-8 Purdue team? If McCarthy didn't have a big game against the boilermakers, then that would be a story. And bleeding clock against Bama? Alabama had the advantage in Time Of Possession, and was ahead late in the 4th qtr. Not much of what he's saying is actually factual.

Michigan hasn’t seen an offense like UW this year, Huskies haven’t seen a defense this stout. Will be an absolute war but my guys haven’t let me down yet. 34-31 Huskies

Its simple...if WA DL cannot stop the run, this game is already over

It's either Michigan wins in the trenches or Washington wins with their passing attack

Problem is that no one is talking about its all about Washington and the wr... no one is talking about Michigan and those cb's. Will Johnson and Mikey Sainristil. This husky team has not seen a secondary like this before. Michigan has played ohio st with that wr core McCord and those wr through for over 3k yards Milroe and those wr have had a solid year with almost 3k yards and sitting a couple games. It's not like Michigan has not faced talented passing attacks. However Washington has not seen a D anything like Michigan's. That the difference I see

I think the biggest thing in this one is who wins up front both these teams pride themselves there and have got here with that. To me Washington’s ability to run the football is crucial the last 6-7 games they’ve been running the ball really well up there with the best in the country, don’t know if Dillon Johnson will play but he’s been a big factor in that. Regardless I believe it’ll be a great game I honestly don’t know who to pick my gut says Michigan while my head’s saying Washington

133 teams in Division 1. Each team plays 10% of the 133 other teams and yet analysts never seem to talk about which “conference” has better passing games or rushing attacks or pass or rush defenses to upgrade or down grade stats. Usually they just assume the SEC is better and if the stats favor the PAC 12 they figure, “well yeah but it’s the PAC 12…”. Conference quality is rarely considered and then when two teams get together from different conferences after the game it’s “that’s weird. How did that happen”. Stats favor Michigan, but which conference was better too top to bottom? PAC 12 or Big 10? No way to know, but PAC 12 offenses averaged 62 yards a game more yards (in conference games only not including exhibitions with weaker non Power 5 opponents out of conference) compared to Big 10. Were the PAC 12 offenses better or were the PAC 12 defenses worse? Add 62 yards a game to Big 10 defenses and they don’t rank as high. No way to know for sure with 133 teams that only play 10% of the other teams. The game is played on the field. We’ll learn more on Monday.

As Penix goes so goes the Huskies. Penix has a below avg game, Michigan rolls. Penix plays like he did against Texas it might be a blowout for Washington.

Michigan can give up 350 passing yards and still win this game

Go Michigan!!!! From Oregon fans!

Thank you for picking Michigan. Nothing sweeter to see Washington win it for the Pac12!

My favorite analysis yet Josh. You made a lot of points I have yet to hear. I have a feeling Penix is about to through 2-3 INTs and this will be a 27-13 game.

I honestly think Odunze worries me more than Marvin Harrison Jr did. Odunze fights for the ball harder. He's not quite as talented, but it's close enough. Plus, Penix is more than willing to throw the 50/50 ball. Will Johnson is going to be a busy man. Not to mention, picking against Washington in big games has been absolutely terrible. Washington has made me money all year when they're underdogs. Will Johnson vs Rome Odunze may decide this game.

Pate you had one job! Damn jinxed Michigan 😂 now im nervous ...

Michigan's D has not played ANY teams with a decent offense. 13 games against offenses not even in the Top 50 and one (Ohio State) was only #47! Monday's game will be the first and ONLY game all season that Michigan's D has faced a halfway decent offense. Bama not even in the Top 50 in Total Offense and Big 10 was devoid of great QB's and great offenses this year.

Think Huskies come up with another great timely stop to WIN!

if washington wins i’ll be happy but if michigan wins, i won’t be surprised. how well washington’s ol holds up for penix will dictate if washington can be competitive or not.

Michigan 42 Washington 28

Why would you put this curse on us! You ALWAYS pick against Michigan!

RIP Silverdome. Gone too soon 🪦

Are you trying to tell me that you picked TCU over Georgia last year?

As a Michigan fan, I’ve been praying that Pate doesn’t pick Michigan, he’s always wrong. Please for the love of God pick Washington

Don't forget, this SAME UM TEAM played a GREAT OSU team last year that had 3 TOP NFL receivers and a TOP TEN NFL QB drafted last year... and UM ...CRUSHED them. This UM team was DESIGNED to beat an OSU team EXACTLY like the Huskies - yea, I'm not too worried.

Thank you having terrible luck with this and picking Michigan. Go Purple (I’m a buckeye fan)

Keep in mind this guy chose oregon over washington and said they would cover.

i think its an even matched game each team wins 5/10 times but i think whoever wins will win by 20, if washington starts hot michigan offense will panic and throw more than they should, if michigan starts hot, they will run it 40 times and put pressure on wahsington offense

This is classic unstoppable force meets an immovable object

Josh pate is one of the most talented college football analysts. So reasonable in his style.

Michigan 49-28, 49 might be a little generous but I think it’s gonna look just like the last couple Ohio state games.

Sounds a lot like the 96 Fiesta Bowl and we know how that went for a pass-happy Florida! Go Huskers!

Never believe what Hulk Hogan says. EVER

I think you had your PPG allowed stats switched around

my biggest concern for michigan is the whiplash between Alabama and Washington. Alabama was a bad match-up. they did a great job this past month adjusting to bama in order to win. especially on defense. Washington is a completely different animal. can michigan erase what they practiced quickly enough and go back to how they played against osu. it's like preparing to fight slugger Roberto Duran. then the next day fight Floyd Mayweather.

You guys missed too many of Michigan's games. McCarthy didn't play the second half in 3 games, they were so far ahead.

Comparing Washington pass defense to Purdue is crazy. Look at the offenses in the Big 10, then look at the Pac 12. Pac 12 offenses are far superior. These overall rankings on offense and defense mean very little.

Michigans defensive stats feel inflated to me. They play in a conference with the worst offenses in all of collage football, yet Washington has to play some of the best offenses in collage football (usc, Oregon, Arizona). Could it be that the big10 has good defense that are presumed great because of the lack of offensive competition they’ve played? And as for Alabama, they have a terrible offensive line and a qb who is a great runner, terrible passer. Doesn’t surprise me they held them to 20 points. I have Washington winning 38-28. Mark it

Josh has picked against UW all year. Why stop now. Can’t wait to watch the post game show where he was wrong once again. From a ND fan, GO WASHINGTON!

styles clashing can easily make this one a blowut. no idea which way.

Husikes will win without with any issues. The QB for huskies is Just too Good period!!

Thank you for refraining from picking a winner and jinxing Michigan

One of your best, Josh. PF shenanigans hilarious. And I am not just saying that because you've accurately predicted Michigan victory....a fun and thought-provoking missive.

Just watch what Mike Penix Jr did three years ago to Michigan’s CBs when he was with Indiana….dude dropped absolute dimes into places where only his WRs could catch it….and they were blanketed by Wolverine DBs. It didn’t matter.

As a Michigan fan, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

No chance Harbaugh lets this chance slide.

I love when fucking experts are so knowledgeable they can't even pronounce names right. OH DUNE ZE..

It is Harbaugh-Mania and Ric Flair is the Headliner.

Harbaugh won’t take the bait unless he’s trying to prove JJ is a top draft pick in the class and as good as Penix. That’s the only way I can see him letting JJ throw because he doesn’t usually trust him in big games to sling it.

Alabama had way more self inflicted issues than Michigan. 5 bad snaps alone changed the entire game. My god look at MI schedule. Played absolutely horrible offenses all year long. The Iowa game might have been the biggest joke of the year. Put the final rankings up next to those teams because OSU is not ranked 2nd.

Michigan (#4) was favored in the 1978 Rose Bowl against Washington (#13) by 14 points. Washington won that matchup 27 to 20. That was 45 years ago. Four plus five equals 9 which is the number on the uniforms of both QBs in this national championship.

Key to the game will be redzone defense and turnovers. I don’t think either team will have issues moving the ball, but if UM limits big plays, forces Washington into methodical drives, and holds Washington in the red zone, they will win. If Washington hits big plays, and Michigan turns the ball over/gives Washington extra possessions, Washington will win.

All these Huskies saying: "Yes keep picking sgainst us!" Newsflash...the same thing has happened to Michigan up until this point. Sheesh.

Just remember the 2021 game.