The highest-ranked Michigan Wolverines (14-0) tackle the No. 2 Washington Huskies (14-0) within the Faculty Soccer Playoff championship sport at NRG Stadium on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN).
With loads of expertise set to be on show, listed below are 10 gamers who might sway the result.
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.: After a stunning 430-yard, two-touchdown outing in Washington’s semifinal win over Texas, all eyes are on Penix to see if he builds on that effort. The Heisman Trophy runner-up leads the nation in passing yards (4,648) whereas rating second in touchdowns (35), and his efficiency will undoubtedly be the decisive think about Monday’s contest.
Nonetheless, the Wolverines protection might show to be Penix’s hardest problem of his six-year collegiate profession, on condition that the unit permits the second-fewest passing yards per sport within the nation (150).
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy: Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh and former Wolverines signal-caller Tom Brady have already proclaimed McCarthy — now 26-1 as a starter — as the most effective quarterback in program historical past. Profitable the nationwide championship would solidify that declare.
The 20-year-old threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns towards Alabama final week, coming by way of within the clutch by orchestrating a 75-yard game-tying landing drive with simply 1:34 remaining in regulation earlier than the Wolverines in the end prevailed in additional time.
Washington WR Rome Odunze: Odunze, Washington’s main receiver (1,553), is coming off his tenth 100-yard receiving sport of the season and could have the formidable Michigan secondary’s undivided consideration. The Biletnikoff Award finalist averages 110.9 yards per sport and has scored a landing in eight of 14 contests this season.
If the Penix-Odunze connection reaches its peak on Monday, we might see the Pac-12 single-season receiving file shattered, because the junior broad receiver wants 178 yards to perform the feat.
Michigan RB Blake Corum: The hero of the Wolverines’ Rose Bowl victory, Corum tallied 118 whole yards and two touchdowns towards Alabama, together with the eventual game-winning rating in additional time. Corum has rushed for 1,111 yards and a nation-best 25 touchdowns this season and can proceed to be the focus of Michigan’s offense on Monday.
Alabama boasted a greater run protection statistically than what the Huskies have, however the unit nonetheless permits a decent 137.1 speeding yards per sport, forty first amongst FBS groups.
Michigan DB Will Johnson: With the Huskies having three NFL-caliber wideouts at their disposal, it’s going to be extraordinarily troublesome to fully shut them out, although if Johnson performs his traditional sport, Michigan might be able to include the trio. Johnson, who ranks second on the crew in interceptions (three) and move breakups (4), has been among the finest protection cornerbacks in faculty soccer this season.
In keeping with Pro Football Focus, Johnson hasn’t given up a landing and has restricted opposing quarterbacks to a 35.4 passer ranking when focusing on him, the fifth-best mark for a cornerback with at the very least 250 protection snaps performed.
Washington edge-rusher Bralen Trice: Whereas Washington’s move rush may very well be a neater take a look at than projected first-round choose LB Dallas Turner and the Alabama protection for Michigan’s offensive line, Trice has the potential to be a game-wrecker. Trice has accounted for seven of the Huskies’ 21 sacks this season, two of which got here within the Sugar Bowl, the place he earned defensive MVP honors.
In ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.’s prospect rankings, Trice is the third-highest-rated exterior linebacker within the 2024 class, and he might set up himself as a surefire first-rounder with one other sturdy displaying on Monday.
Michigan WR Roman Wilson: Wilson was the receiver McCarthy related with on the game-tying landing move to assist ship the Rose Bowl to additional time, and the senior must be closely relied upon towards the Huskies. On the season, Wilson has caught 45 passes for 735 yards and 12 touchdowns, the second-most within the Massive Ten.
The Huskies secondary is a weak level, rating a hundred and fortieth in passing yards per sport allowed (267.1), suggesting Wilson is well-positioned to take advantage of the susceptible place group.
Washington OT Troy Fautanu: One other projected first-round choose and Kiper’s Fifteenth-ranked prospect, Fautanu is the spine of a Huskies offensive line that has surrendered the fourth-fewest sacks within the nation this season (11). The 6-foot-4, 317-pounder is having his worst season statistically, however that is just because he is set the bar so excessive, as he has allowed simply two sacks and two quarterback hits.
Even so, Fautanu and his fellow linemen could have their fingers full towards a Wolverines move rush that has racked up 38 sacks this season, together with six towards Alabama within the Rose Bowl.
Michigan LB Michael Barrett: No participant in program historical past has received extra video games than Barrett, a crew captain who arrived in Ann Arbor as a three-star quarterback recruit. As per PFF’s grading system, Barrett ranks because the third-highest-rated linebacker in faculty soccer (90) and the second-best participant on the place when it comes to pass-rushing (93).
The all-conference third-teamer will intention to repeat his stellar effort from Michigan’s Rose Bowl win, throughout which he posted 10 whole tackles, one for loss and one sack.
Washington WR Ja’Lynn Polk: The previous Texas Tech Pink Raider entered 2023 considered the Huskies’ third-best receiver, however a mid-season knee damage to Jalen McMillan paved the way in which for Polk to showcase his potential. Polk, the Huskies’ second-leading receiver (1,122 yards), was integral in final week’s thrilling win over the Longhorns, hauling in 5 passes for 122 yards and one landing.
Clearly, the stakes are larger than ever, however a win on Monday would imply a bit extra for Polk, seeing as if he grew up in Lufkin, Texas, roughly two hours away from NRG Stadium.
