Michigan Wolverines vs. Washington Huskies Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 5th 2024
Preview and Prediction
Less than nine months ago, Michigan and Washington faced off in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston. The Wolverines emerged victorious with a 34-13 win, claiming the title for themselves.
This Saturday, the two teams will meet again for a rematch as No. 10 Michigan (4-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) travels to Seattle to face the Huskies (3-2, 1-1) for the first time as members of the same conference.
Despite the rematch angle, Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore, who was an assistant on Jim Harbaugh's staff last season, downplayed its significance. He stated, "No, it's just the next game. We played them last year in the national championship, but it's two different teams. Our focus is on winning this game."
The Huskies have undergone some changes since their last meeting with Michigan. Their coach, Kalen DeBoer, was lured away by Alabama and most of their starters have either graduated, gone pro, or transferred.
Jedd Fisch, who was hired from Arizona, now leads the team. Despite their two losses by a combined eight points, Fisch remains optimistic about their potential. He stated, "We're one basketball hoop away from being 5-0. We just need to convert on key plays and we'll have a chance to be very good."
Jonah Coleman, who followed Fisch from Arizona, leads the Huskies in rushing with an average of 104.2 yards per game. Quarterback Will Rogers III, a transfer from Mississippi State, has completed 74.8 percent of his passes for 1,354 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Michigan's only loss this season was a 31-12 defeat to Texas in Week 2. However, they have bounced back with three consecutive wins, including a 27-24 victory over Minnesota last Saturday.
In that game, Kalel Mullings rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns in his first start at running back. Mullings currently leads the team with 540 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He stated, "Coach told me I was starting, but it didn't change much for me. I always prepare like I'm going to be on the field for every play."
This will be Michigan's first road game of the season. Moore emphasized the importance of being prepared for the hostile environment, stating, "You gotta pack your defense first, obviously your run game. And you've got to be sound and disciplined in everything you do. It's going to be a great environment and our players are excited to get on the road."
Offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi added, "It's kind of exciting actually. Being in different scenery. We know it's going to be loud, wild. It's a rematch of the national championship. We're ready to make their field our home field. That's what it's about. Have fun. Let them boo us, let them talk all the crap they want. We're ready for it all."
In conclusion, the stage is set for an intense rematch between Michigan and Washington. Both teams have undergone changes since their last meeting, but their determination to come out on top remains the same. It promises to be an exciting game filled with passion and intensity.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Washington Huskies Recap OCT 5TH 2024
Jonah Coleman scored on a 1-yard dive with 6:22 remaining as Washington defeated No. 10 Michigan 27-17 on Saturday in Seattle in a rematch of last season's College Football Playoff championship game.
Will Rogers was 21-of-32 passing for 271 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Huskies (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten), who scored the game's final 13 points to avenge a 34-13 loss to the Wolverines on Jan. 8 in Houston. Coleman rushed 18 times for 80 yards.
The Wolverines (4-2, 2-1) rallied from a 14-point, first-half deficit behind backup quarterback Jack Tuttle.
But Tuttle was stripped of the ball on a 1-yard run by Voi Tunuufi with 8:02 remaining. The Huskies' Logan Sagapolu recovered at Michigan's 32-yard line to set up the go-ahead drive.
On the Wolverines' next possession, Tuttle's pass was intercepted by Kamren Fabiculanan at the Michigan 31-yard line with 3:24 left. Grady Gross, who missed twice in the first half, kicked a 32-yard field goal with 1:06 remaining to seal the victory.
After trailing 14-10 at the intermission, the Wolverines took the second-half kickoff and drove 75 yards in 11 plays. Tuttle threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland to give the visitors their first lead.
Gross booted a 28-yarder with 13:38 left in the fourth to tie the score at 17-all.
Rogers threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Denzel Boston late in the first quarter to open the scoring and cap a 13-play, 83-yard drive. That came after Gross missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt on the Huskies' opening possession.
Washington made it 14-0 on a 16-yard scoring strike from Rogers to Giles Jackson, a transfer from Michigan, with 9:38 left in the half.
Tuttle then replaced starter Alex Orji and guided the Wolverines on a seven-play, 75-yard drive, with Edwards scoring on a 39-yard run. Edwards rushed for a game-high 95 yards on 14 carries.
Michigan's Dominic Zvada added a 45-yard field goal with 1:49 left in the second quarter to make it 14-10.