2024 CFP National Championship open thread: Washington vs. Michigan

Will the Huskies bring a football title to Seattle at Jim Harbaugh’s expense?

Exactly 10 years ago this month, the Seattle Seahawks made it to the Super Bowl by knocking off Jim Harbaugh’s San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. At NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, the Washington Huskies will look to become College Football Playoff national champions by vanquishing Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines.

It’s a Harbaugh team against a Seattle team, but at the collegiate level. Both squads are undefeated and both narrowly won their playoff semifinals. Whatever you think of the rankings, the top two teams in the playoff are in the final.

Michigan is the favorite due to anti-West Coast sentiments their stout defense and the shakiness of the Huskies defense. Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr may be the quarterback who can crack the Michigan code. Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan are as good a wide receiver trio as you can get in college football. This is a much more dangerous passing attack than every other team Michigan has faced this year. On the flip side, Washington’s defense has to deal with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, Blake Corum as an outstanding running back, and Romeo Wilson as Michigan’s top receiver.

It’s a truly fascinating stylistic matchup that will grip the college football nation. One of the big storylines is the possibility that this is Harbaugh’s final game as Michigan head coach, win or lose. The NFL will come calling, and the controversies under his watch may expedite that return to the pros. Let’s see if Seattle can deny Harbaugh a title one more time.

Kickoff time is 7:45 PM ET/4:45 PM PT on ESPN and ESPN+, but the listed time is 7:30 ET/4:30 PT. There are multiple ESPN channels carrying this game with either the normal feed or an alternate broadcast.

This is your open thread to watch and discuss the game with your fellow Field Gulls community members! For Huskies coverage, go to UW Dawg Pound.

GO HUSKIES!