The biggest game of the college football season is finally here with the Michigan Wolverines set to take on the Washington Huskies in a clash of No. 1 vs. No. 2. Both schools haven't lost a game all season, either, but one will finish undefeated while the other will go home with just one loss coming at the end of the season.
Michigan enters this game on the heels of a gripping 27-20 overtime win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Wolverines running back Blake Corum led the charge with 118 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 21 touches, but it was his 17-yard scramble in overtime that ended up delivering the win for Michigan. The Wolverines defense pummeled Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe as well with six sacks and held him to only 116 passing yards on the day. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy added three touchdowns passes himself.
Washington, meanwhile, beat Texas in a shootout during their battle in the Sugar Bowl. Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 430 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while receivers Rome Odunze and Ja'lynn Polk caught six passes for 125 yards and five passes for 122 yards, respectively.
Running back Dillon Johnson added two rushing touchdowns on his 21 carries, but his status for Monday's game is up in the air after he left the Sugar Bowl late with foot injury. Washington head coach Kalen DeDoer said he expects Johnson to play, though.
This game will feature one of the high-scoring offenses in the country against the best scoring defense. Washington averages 37.6 points per game (10th in the nation) while Michigan allows 10.2 points per game (which ranks first). The 20 points allowed by Michigan in the Rose Bowl was only the third time this season the Wolverines gave up more than 15 points in a game this year. The Huskies aren't nearly as stout on defense, having allowed 24.1 points per game this season. Michigan still scores a lot on its own – 36.0 points per game.
The key to this game for Michigan is to contain Penix's arm. The Washington quarterback has attempted the third-most passes in the country – 504 – and leads all quarterbacks with 4,648 passing yards this season. And when he gets hot, the passes don't get dropped.
McCarthy is no slouch, either, but he's one of the most accurate passers this year with a 73.2 completion percentage – third among all quarterbacks. Washington will need to watch out for the ground game led by Corum, who averages 4.7 yards per carry and finished with another 1,000-yard rushing season. The Huskies defense gives up a healthy 4.4 yards per rushers to opposing running backs,
Here's what you need to know about Monday's College Football Playoff championship clash between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies, including broadcast information and start time.
LIVE: Follow Michigan vs. Washington updates from CFP national championship
What channel is Michigan vs. Washington on today?
- Live Stream: Fubo
- TV channel (national): ESPN
Michigan vs. Washington will air nationally on ESPN. Chris Fowler will once again be the play-by-play announcer, with Kirk Herbstreit as the analyst. Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath will serve as sideline reporters on the ground at NRG Stadium.
Michigan vs. Washington start time
- Date: Monday, Jan. 8
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Michigan vs. Washington is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
These two schools have faced each other 13 times since 1953, with Michigan holding the slight 8-5 edge. The Wolverines won their last match with the Huskies, too, in a 31-10 beatdown in the second week of the 2021 season. Corum slashed Washington in that one with three rushing touchdowns on 171 rushing yards.
Michigan is looking for its first national championship since 1997, which it shared with Nebraska before title games were played. Washington hasn't won since 1991, which it shared with Miami.
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Michigan vs. Washington live streams
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Fans looking to stream Michigan vs. Washington will can watch live on Fubo.
| Date | Opponent/Result | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2 | Michigan 30, East Carolina 3 | — | — |
| Sept. 9 | Michigan 35, UNLV 7 | — | — |
| Sept. 16 | Michigan 31, Bowling Green 6 | — | — |
| Sept. 23 | Michigan 31, Rutgers 7 | — | — |
| Sept. 30 | Michigan 45, Nebraska 7 | — | — |
| Oct. 7 | Michigan 52, Minnesota 10 | — | — |
| Oct. 14 | Michigan 52, Indiana 7 | — | — |
| Oct. 21 | Michigan 49, Michigan State 0 | — | — |
| Nov. 4 | Michigan 41, Purdue 13 | — | — |
| Nov. 11 | Michigan 24, Penn State 15 | — | — |
| Nov. 18 | Michigan 31, Maryland 24 | ||
| Nov. 25 | Michigan 30, Ohio State 24 | — | — |
| Dec. 2 | Michigan 26, Iowa 0 | — | — |
| Jan. 1 | Michigan 27, Alabama 20 OT | — | — |
| Jan. 8 | vs. Washington | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Washington schedule 2023
| Date | Opponent/Result | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2 | Washington 56, Boise State 19 | — | — |
| Sept. 9 | Washington 43, Tulsa 10 | — | — |
| Sept. 16 | Washington 41, Michigan State 7 | — | — |
| Sept. 23 | Washington 59, California 32 | — | — |
| Sept. 30 | Washington 31, Arizona 24 | — | — |
| Oct. 14 | Washington 36, Oregon 33 | — | — |
| Oct. 21 | Washington 15, Arizona State 7 | — | — |
| Oct. 28 | Washington 42, Stanford 33 | — | — |
| Nov. 4 | Washington 52, USC 42 | — | — |
| Nov. 11 | Washington 35, Utah 28 | — | — |
| Nov. 18 | Washington 22, Oregon State 20 | — | — |
| Nov. 25 | Washington 24, Washington State 21 | — | — |
| Dec. 1 | Washington 34, Oregon 31 | — | — |
| Jan. 1 | Washington 37, Texas 31 | — | — |
| Jan. 8 | vs. Michigan | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
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