In the College Football Playoffs, the top four teams entering the playoffs are number one Michigan, who faces off against number four Alabama, in the College Semi-Finals and number two Washington who faces off against the number three Texas Longhorns. There was a lot of controversy when it came to deciding who should be in the Tournament. Florida State University ended the season with an undefeated 13-0 record, but was left out of the College Football Playoffs in favor of Alabama. Sure enough, FSU showed why the committee was correct when making that decision by losing in the Orange Bowl to Georgia 63-3.
Michigan was looked at as the favorite entering the tournament thanks to their very well rounded offense led by a guy who knows plenty about how to run said offense, Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s one of the best coaches in college football today thanks to leading the Wolverines to a 13-0 undefeated season. Michigan’s offense is led by a triple threat of quarterback J.J McCarthy, running back Blake Corum and their top receiver, Roman Wilson who have all declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. On the defensive side, the Wolverines have arguably the best defense in college football as they’ve only allowed around 247 yards per game during the season which will help them shut down the other teams in the tournament. The matchup also falls into the Wolverines advantage as they face off against Alabama led by one of the greatest coaches in college football history, Nick Saban. Alabama since 2009 has won a total of six National Titles, Alabama usually comes into the season at the top of the rankings, but over the last few years it has looked like the Georgia Bulldogs might put the Crimson Tide out of business. If Alabama loses this game and Saban retires, the dynasty is over for the Crimson Tide, but as of right now, Alabama is led by their Redshirt Sophomore, Jalen Milroe, who had an exceptional season throwing 23 passing touchdowns and rushing for another 12 rushing touchdowns whilst getting over 3300 yards total between rushing and passing. Alabama’s offense relies on him the most to put points on the scoreboard and to get into the end zone. Both teams made the game very competitive and the game went to overtime. At the end of overtime, Michigan was the first to drive down the field and get the ball into the end zone to win the game against Alabama 27-20. J.J McCarthy was the star of the night in The Rose Bowl throwing for 221 yards and three touchdown passes in the game and leading the Michigan Wolverines to a berth in the National Championship Game.
The Sugar Bowl, was number two Washington going against the number three Texas Longhorns. The Washington Huskies up to this point have gone undefeated this season under Head Coach Kalen DeBoer and Heisman trophy finalist, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. who has had an electric season for the Huskies. So far this season Penix has thrown over 4200 passing yards and 33 Passing Touchdowns all whilst staying below ten interceptions entering The Sugar Bowl. For Texas, Head Coach Steve Sarkisian started the season with sky high expectations from all Longhorn Fans. Four months later, The Texas Longhorns hold a 12-1 record and beat out teams like Alabama and Florida State to make the College Football Playoffs. Texas’s offense is led by the connection of Sophomore quarterback, Quinn Ewers, and his four best receivers who have all since declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, their tight end, JaTavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington. In the game, it was a very even matchup the whole game as the game was tied at 21 entering the second half. Washington then took control in the third quarter by scoring ten unanswered points. Washington was able to successfully close the game out in the fourth quarter and get the win against the Longhorns 37-31. It was Michael Penix Jr in this game who had over 400 yards passing and a pair of touchdown passes against the Longhorns defense to lead the Huskies to the National Championship against the Michigan Wolverines.
Now for the National Championship game held in the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, it’s going to be the Michigan Wolverines led by Jim Harbaugh and their stifling defense along with their offense of J.J McCarthy, Blake Corum and receiver Roman Wilson, going against the Washington Huskies led by Heisman Finalist Michael Penix Jr. It will be quite the match for the Michigan Wolverines considering they have arguably the best defensive unit in football and they’re faced with a tall challenge in trying to slow down Washington’s quarterback Penix Jr. Penix is coming off of a very solid performance against the Longhorns with over 400 yards passing, however, both teams are entering this game with momentum on either side of the field since both teams are coming off Bowl Wins in the Semi Finals. If Michigan pulls off a win here against Washington, it’ll be the first National Championship win of the century and their first win since 1997. If Washington can overtake the defense of the Wolverines and win the game, then it’ll be the Huskies first National Championship win since 1991.
Entering the game, Michigan is looked at as the favorite as they were favored by 5.5 points over Washington. The matchup seems to just fall in place for the Michigan Wolverines, but anything can happen in college football and no team is truly ever safe.
In the National Championship, the Michigan Wolverines prevailed as the winners and were crowned 2024 National Champions. They won the game 34-13 and had very little problems shutting down the Huskies offense as the Wolverines only allowed a single touchdown in the second quarter. Sure enough, the best defense in college football gets the job done once and for all and completes the 15-0 undefeated season. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh will finally get his seat at the winner’s table with the rest of his family. His brother, John Harbaugh won his ring with Baltimore back in 2013, and his father Jack Harbaugh actually helped alongside his son Jim, as an assistant coach for Michigan. It’s quite the honor for Jim to finally join the rest of his family in the winner’s circle and to even win one alongside his father.
Jim is at a point in his career, where he needs to make a big decision. Either he stays a coach in the NCAA and he builds a potential dynasty in Michigan, or he takes another head coaching job in the NFL. Mind you, Jim has been an NFL coach in the past, from 2011 to 2014, Jim was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and had a 44-19-1 record and even battled his brother in the 2013 Harbaugh Bowl in that stint. Whether Jim can coach at the NFL level or not shouldn’t really be a question. Fast forward to the 23rd of January and it seems more like the possibility of Jim departing from Michigan seems to be more and more likely as the days go by. He completed his second interview for the Head Coach spot on the LA Chargers who just had to endure one of the worst coaches in the NFL, Brandon Staley. It would likely be quite the breath of fresh air for the Chargers if they can acquire Jim.
The Michigan Wolverines are your 2024 College Football National Champions and LSU’s Jayden Daniels wins the Heisman trophy as he threw for over 3800 yards, 40 Passing Touchdowns, and then another 1100 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns to notch the final tally at 4900 yards and 50 touchdowns in scrimmage. Despite winning the National Title this year, Michigan might have to brace for impact and make some moves in the offseason if they lose Harbaugh next season.
