... their biggest challenge was Utah (in Seattle), TX in the Sugar Bowl, and both games against Oregon. Being that Oregon is a big rivalry game, I thought it would be better to focus on non-rivalry games when looking at how they performed.
Per FOX Sports, Utah is ranked 13th in overall total defense through week 18. Texas is not ranked in the top 25. I saw Utah play a few times this year. It's a good defense. But like Texas, they're not ranked in the top 25 for passing defense, whereas Michigan is ranked 2nd behind OSU. Both Utah and TX are ranked higher than Michigan in rushing defense and third-down defense. In the red zone, Michigan is ranked 2nd and Texas is 8th. Utah doesn't even make the top 25.
I think it's important to note that Utah held the Huskies to zero points in the 4th Qtr, on the road in a tough environment. Arguably one of the toughest places to play as the road team. Penix was a measly 24 of 42 in that game, against a passing defense that's not very good. He was 28 of 39 against Texas in the Sugar Bowl.
There's a reason Michigan is favored in Vegas; Washington hasn't played a defense like Michigan's all year. And you can't overlook the fact that Washington gave up 33 points to a horrible Stanford team and had to come back in the 4th Qtr to win it. Also, Washington only scored 15 points against an equally bad Arizona State team and had to score 12 in the final quarter to win THAT game! I get the fact that Penix is a big-time QB. But the overall team is not nearly as good as he is.
Watching some internet media coverage these past few days, one guy had an interesting take. He said; "I can see Washington edging out Michigan in a tight game." I can also see Michigan edging out Washington in a tight game. But I can also see Michigan blowing out Washington in this game. There's just no way I see Washington blowing out Michigan."
Nearly all of the stats point to Michigan winning on Monday. I believe if Michigan limits their mistakes and plays like they did against Ohio State and PSU, they'll beat Washington by a few touchdowns. Yes, the Washington offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for 2023. Kudos to them. But we all know how well that served Michigan against GA and TCU. Sure, they're good. But I can't see them getting the upper hand on the number one defense in the country. 38 - 24 Michigan, with Washington getting one right at the end.
Per FOX Sports, Utah is ranked 13th in overall total defense through week 18. Texas is not ranked in the top 25. I saw Utah play a few times this year. It's a good defense. But like Texas, they're not ranked in the top 25 for passing defense, whereas Michigan is ranked 2nd behind OSU. Both Utah and TX are ranked higher than Michigan in rushing defense and third-down defense. In the red zone, Michigan is ranked 2nd and Texas is 8th. Utah doesn't even make the top 25.
I think it's important to note that Utah held the Huskies to zero points in the 4th Qtr, on the road in a tough environment. Arguably one of the toughest places to play as the road team. Penix was a measly 24 of 42 in that game, against a passing defense that's not very good. He was 28 of 39 against Texas in the Sugar Bowl.
There's a reason Michigan is favored in Vegas; Washington hasn't played a defense like Michigan's all year. And you can't overlook the fact that Washington gave up 33 points to a horrible Stanford team and had to come back in the 4th Qtr to win it. Also, Washington only scored 15 points against an equally bad Arizona State team and had to score 12 in the final quarter to win THAT game! I get the fact that Penix is a big-time QB. But the overall team is not nearly as good as he is.
Watching some internet media coverage these past few days, one guy had an interesting take. He said; "I can see Washington edging out Michigan in a tight game." I can also see Michigan edging out Washington in a tight game. But I can also see Michigan blowing out Washington in this game. There's just no way I see Washington blowing out Michigan."
Nearly all of the stats point to Michigan winning on Monday. I believe if Michigan limits their mistakes and plays like they did against Ohio State and PSU, they'll beat Washington by a few touchdowns. Yes, the Washington offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for 2023. Kudos to them. But we all know how well that served Michigan against GA and TCU. Sure, they're good. But I can't see them getting the upper hand on the number one defense in the country. 38 - 24 Michigan, with Washington getting one right at the end.
