I really think Washington is better than Bama.

So was Texas. Bama played like shit. I wouldn’t crown Michigan just yet.

I’m sure Michigan will be favored, but Washington isn’t sliced liver. They’ll really have to study blitz schemes and shorten some routes. But it’s not impossible guys. It’s doable. Great receivers and a much better quarterback who is mobile also.

Man I hope so.

My concerns…..
Texas has zero ability to stop the pass so Penix looked fabulous of course.
Washington is serviceable against the run (41st ypg ) but cannot stop the pass (120th ypg ).
For comparison sake MSU was 86th in passing yards allowed.
Michigan is going to score a lot of points. It’s just a matter of Wash can score against a much better defense than Texas had.

Strength against strength, Washinton's O v Michigan's D

Weakness against weakness, Washington's D v Michigan's O

If you were to rank the top 25 quarterbacks in the country, has Michigan played any of them yet? Maybe alabama guy sneaks in there around 22 or something.

Playing against a guy in the top 3 of such a ranking with competent wide receivers will be a new challenge for them that they haven’t seen this season.

Is this what Spartan and Buckeye fans tell themselves today to feel better about Michigan being on the verge of a Natty?

Things that give me a boner.
Bama gave up 49 sacks this year. Wash, 11. For context MSU gave up 25 sacks this year.

Motown Spartan wrote:Is this what Spartan and Buckeye fans tell themselves today to feel better about Michigan being on the verge of a Natty?

It’s one of many.

Washington 114th in total sacks. Sounds like they don’t get to the QB often.

kingstonlake wrote:Man I hope so.

My concerns…..
Texas has zero ability to stop the pass so Penix looked fabulous of course.
Washington is serviceable against the run (41st ypg ) but cannot stop the pass (120th ypg ).
For comparison sake MSU was 86th in passing yards allowed.
Michigan is going to score a lot of points. It’s just a matter of Wash can score against a much better defense than Texas had.

OTOH Michigan is a running team, not really a passing team, and less so now that they have reduced their cheating.

Washington threw for 430 yards against Texas.

Trapper Gus wrote:Washington threw for 430 yards against Texas.

Everyone does.

Motown Spartan wrote:Is this what Spartan and Buckeye fans tell themselves today to feel better about Michigan being on the verge of a Natty?

Gotta tell yourself something or it’s gonna be a long week

I gotta tell ya, I sort of like Washington's quiet swagger.

Nobody thought they would be Oregon the second time, they were the underdog last night. They didn't even hold a 'watch party' during CFP selection, as they knew they were in.. didn't feel the need to sit around and go through the ESPN rah rah stuff.

they just keep winning.

and, yes, they'll be the underdog next week which I suspect they are 100% okay with.

UM -4.5

kingstonlake wrote:

Trapper Gus wrote:Washington threw for 430 yards against Texas.

Everyone does.  

Had to look that up, nope...next highest passing yards this season was 323, and Washington had fallen off in passing yards since MSU

Trapper Gus wrote:

kingstonlake wrote:

Everyone does.  

Had to look that up, nope...next highest passing yards this season was 323, and Washington had fallen off in passing yards since MSU

Yeah that was hyperbole.

Wash 430
Hou 378
KSU 327
ISU 323
TCU 317
BAY 305

Point was Texas gives up a a ton of passing yards (hence them being ranked 113th in passing yards given up) to most opponents. Let alone an elite passing team.

kingstonlake wrote:

Trapper Gus wrote:

Had to look that up, nope...next highest passing yards this season was 323, and Washington had fallen off in passing yards since MSU

Yeah that was hyperbole.

Wash 430
Hou 378
KSU 327
ISU 323
TCU 317
BAY 305

Point was Texas gives up a a ton of passing yards (hence them being ranked 113th in passing yards given up) to most opponents. Let alone an elite passing team.

Not the numbers I found but I'll pass on that, generally you are right...

Look for Michigan to try and control the number of Washington possessions by falling back on their run game. Much like they did in the 2nd half against PSU.

Any word on the availability of Washington's running back?

Washington's D has been "good enought" in big games

Zurn wrote:Look for Michigan to try and control the number of Washington possessions by falling back on their run game. Much like they did in the 2nd half against PSU.

Any word on the availability of Washington's running back?

They only have one?

Motown Spartan wrote:Is this what Spartan and Buckeye fans tell themselves today to feel better about Michigan being on the verge of a Natty?

Who really cares who the national champion is, if it’s not Michigan State? OTPT’s thread seemed so gloom and doom and miserable, I just wanted to point out I think Washington is better than Alabama. If I was to bet the game, I’d take Michigan and lay the points, but it’s not like there isn’t a path to victory for Washington.

If we see total points north of 40 I’d guess Washington wins. If Michigan just bullies them a d takes the air out of the ball I can see a 24-10 UofM victory

None of us want a UofM championship but I can’t be convinced they aren’t the best team in the country. Booger built himself a hell of a squad. 24 yr olds 6 yr seniors. Etc. it’s hard to put and keep a good team together. He did.

The best team is Georgia. They just picked a bad time to lose.

NigelUno wrote:The best team is Georgia. They just picked a bad time to lose.

When you have an offensive and defensive line like Michigan, you can pretty much hang with anybody anytime anywhere

I'm curious to see what Penix will do against them. Washington's receiving core is not too shabby either. Milroe looked like crap in the first half, I had to double check to see if their starter was sitting out...

I still can't believe Saban thought they could run up the middle on that last play.....

I'm not going to dismiss Michigan's win, because I think they were absolutely better than Bama. Michigan didn't play well at all, and still came away with the win. I never really felt like Bama was the strongest team in the playoff. Michigan v Washington will be a good matchup. Go Huskies all day, but Michigan lines up very well against them. If you ignore the fact that one of the teams is Michigan, it's going to be a really fun game to watch. Or at least it should be. I also thought that Michigan lined up well against TCU last year and that ended up being a circus.

CaptainSlow33 wrote:I'm not going to dismiss Michigan's win, because I think they were absolutely better than Bama. Michigan didn't play well at all, and still came away with the win. I never really felt like Bama was the strongest team in the playoff. Michigan v Washington will be a good matchup. Go Huskies all day, but Michigan lines up very well against them. If you ignore the fact that one of the teams is Michigan, it's going to be a really fun game to watch. Or at least it should be. I also thought that Michigan lined up well against TCU last year and that ended up being a circus.

Bama didn't play well either, and were 1/2 yard away from coming up with the win.

Certainly less scouted than Alabama and Georgia.