GAME National Championship: Washington vs Michigan 7:30pm ET ESPN

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Michigan is the better team. They have a lot more ways to win. That said if Penix goes Micheal Jordan, be prepared for a scary game. The other guy nobody seems to talk about is Trice. Washington moved him around to avoid a match-up with the Texas LT. He dominated. Michigan need to have a plan for him

Washington's defense doesn't really scare me at all. They rank outside the top 50 in scoring defense. They're almost last in pass defense. And outside the top 40 in rush defense. Pretty literally every B10 team is ranked ahead of them on defense. Michigan faced 5 of the top 16 scoring defenses this year, and beat them all. this game boils down to Penix. If we can keep him in check, we win. If we can get a lead early, we may be able to protect it with long, drawn out, drives like we have against teams like Penn State this year.

 

[Codaxx]

Washington's defense doesn't really scare me at all. They rank outside the top 50 in scoring defense. They're almost last in pass defense. And outside the top 40 in rush defense. Pretty literally every B10 team is ranked ahead of them on defense. Michigan faced 5 of the top 16 scoring defenses this year, and beat them all. this game boils down to Penix. If we can keep him in check, we win. If we can get a lead early, we may be able to protect it with long, drawn out, drives like we have against teams like Penn State this year.

I get that, but Trice might be the best defensive player on the field tonight. Michigan’s RT has had issue in pass pro. It’s an under the radar match-up, that people are over looking.

Washington has been playing at a talent deficiency in these playoffs, but people forget they have better high end talent than anyone in these playoffs. They have 4 projected 1st round players, if all 4 play like 1st rounders Washington is very dangerous

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I personally think we're still in "Extreme" or even "Exceptional" drought based on the water level of my pond. It's the lowest it's been since I had it dug in summer 2022.

I put full faith in your overwhelming 17-months of objective, scientific data.

 

[TaikoTiger]

Washington's defense doesn't really scare me at all. They rank outside the top 50 in scoring defense. They're almost last in pass defense. And outside the top 40 in rush defense. Pretty literally every B10 team is ranked ahead of them on defense. Michigan faced 5 of the top 16 scoring defenses this year, and beat them all. this game boils down to Penix. If we can keep him in check, we win. If we can get a lead early, we may be able to protect it with long, drawn out, drives like we have against teams like Penn State this year.

Michigan should be able to run a will against Washington but Washington pass coverage is not elite but they can hold their own.
When you account for volume of plays per game, Washington is #27 in DFEI. Not great but not worst than most BIG 10 teams

 

[Wizardhawk]

AI doesn't have spellcheck?

No, this checks out with the intended fan base

 

[navamind]

Michigan should be able to run a will against Washington but Washington pass coverage is not elite but they can hold their own.
When you account for volume of plays per game, Washington is #27 in DFEI. Not great but not worst than most BIG 10 teams

yeah, I heard one of the announcers in the Texas-UW game say that they had a bad pass defense and that seemed very exaggerated. They give up a lot of passing yards because teams have been throwing a lot against them. Their completion percentage is fine (59.4%, 48th), they rank 22nd in yards per pass attempt. They don't get a lot of sacks, though Trice is a good pass rusher. As I said in another post, they seemed to tip a lot of passes in that Texas game... idk if that's been the case all year

 

[Wizardhawk]

yeah, I heard one of the announcers in the Texas-UW game say that they had a bad pass defense and that seemed very exaggerated. They give up a lot of passing yards because teams have been throwing a lot against them. Their completion percentage is fine (59.4%, 48th), they rank 22nd in yards per pass attempt. They don't get a lot of sacks, though Trice is a good pass rusher. As I said in another post, they seemed to tip a lot of passes in that Texas game... idk if that's been the case all year

Trice is one of the best at getting QB pressures, but doesn't get many sacks. He can get them moving of their marks though.

We will see how they use him tonight. They are going to have to prove they can limit the run game. Just taking away the pass game isn't going to cut it. They may not turn him loose the way he normally plays because of it.

 

[Wizardhawk]

I mean yeah yeah, Washington defense something something. Lack the physicality something something. Not enough *'s/ talent gap something. Going to be an easy adjustment because they don't know what's coming...

We've heard it all year. Nothing new here. Kind of used to it at this point.

Carry on.

 

[ELTEXAN]

So like. I’m supposed to just go to work today like it’s a normal day, then irrelevant of the outcome, go to work again tomorrow like it’s a normal day?

You didn’t ask for the days off a month ago? I guess you’re not confident in your team.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

I mean yeah yeah, Washington defense something something. Lack the physicality something something. Not enough *'s/ talent gap something. Going to be an easy adjustment because they don't know what's coming...

We've heard it all year. Nothing new here. Kind of used to it at this point.

Carry on.

And it’s true. You’ve won an insane amount of really close games because or your offense. Which isn’t a slight, just a fact.

 

[UbetterDUCK]

Michigan should be able to run a will against Washington but Washington pass coverage is not elite but they can hold their own.
When you account for volume of plays per game, Washington is #27 in DFEI. Not great but not worst than most BIG 10 teams

That’s what happens when you play Oregon twice

 

[Red_Alert]

T - 5 hours and counting, bitches.

 

[Wizardhawk]

And it’s true. You’ve won an insane amount of really close games because or your offense. Which isn’t a slight, just a fact.

This too isn't new. We've heard all of this multiple times. Confident fans who believe they know why their team is going to dominate UW.

Carry on.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

This too isn't new. We've heard all of this multiple times. Confident fans who believe they know why their team is going to dominate UW.

Carry on.

I never said that. I said if we control Penix we win the game. The path to victory is clear, not certain.

 

[Tharvot]

Michigan should be able to run a will against Washington but Washington pass coverage is not elite but they can hold their own.
When you account for volume of plays per game, Washington is #27 in DFEI. Not great but not worst than most BIG 10 teams

That would be a very bad thing for Washington. They absolutely need to stuff the run as much as possible, especially on early downs.

 

[Wizardhawk]

I never said that. I said if we control Penix we win the game. The path to victory is clear, not certain.

My first post wasn't a quote to anyone directly. It was a statement of fact of what we have heard every week over all least the second half of the season.

There are indeed fans of your team up here saying they do not feel any threat. Rob is pretty high on an easy win. Others who aren't fans of your team are also fairly confident. It's not just about you big boy.

 

[jjc2009]

Let’s go shedding dogs!

 

[HammerDown]

Man, I only have two hours left here at work. This needs to go by very quickly. I have to get home, I have to get wings ordered or cooked, I have to pour a nice size bourbon, I have football to watch... Oh man, so much to do.

May the next two hours evaporate before your eyes, sir.

 

[HammerDown]

If Michigan wins, I'm taking the flag off my house, driving downtown ann arbor and am going to run around aimlessly screaming into the night.

Ann Arbor PD is no doubt on full alert tonight. Right now is probably the perfect time to rob a bank because most officers are trying to get some sleep in preparation for tonight.

 

[Tharvot]

For me, keys to each team winning tonight:

Washington - hit explosive plays/force turnovers early. If they can jump out to an early 2-score lead, it could get Michigan completely out of their gameplan. Defense must stuff the run and clamp down on the short-to-intermediate passing plays on early downs.

Michigan - pound the rock and wear the defense down. Long, sustained drives early will lead to explosive plays later on as the defense tires. Force Penix to check down all night and don't fumble punts.