Who Michigan Fans Should Root For On Championship Weekend
By Cullen Corr
![Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates after intercepting a pass vs. Ohio State during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates after intercepting a pass vs. Ohio State during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1e165357e2f13162ffa0602fad65454dcaae26dddca197ebdf08cbd3b6e2ad86.jpg)
Ranking Who You Would Want Michigan to Play
- Florida State – despite being a very deserving team, FSU has lost their star quarterback Jordan Travis to a season-ending injury. On top of that, it seems that their backup Tate Rodemaker might be out for this weekend’s game. Even though he’d be back for the playoffs, which means Rodemaker would have extremely limited game experience and I don’t think this team can do enough elsewhere to win.
- Washington – Micheal Penix Jr. might be a Heisman finalist but the Huskies are one-dimensional on both sides of the ball. They struggle defending the pass and they can’t run the ball all that well. I also think that Penix Jr. is a little bit overrated. He struggles with some mechanics and doesn’t always make the best decisions.
- Ohio State – Despite Michigan football already beating the Buckeyes, a rematch on a neutral site field would be a tough matchup. However, with Harbaugh back, all the doubt that has to be in the heads of the Buckeyes, and Michigan getting JJ fully healthy, I’m taking the Wolverines again if they were to meet. I also think that the OSU pre-game dance circle (see below) is a clear indicator this team isn’t tough enough to beat Michigan.
- Alabama – It’s never easy beating a Nick Saban team, but the Wolverines would be favored in this matchup. Michigan football could win the line of scrimmage and do enough to slow down Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.
- Texas – This might be a tough matchup physically, but I think the Wolverines would win based on experience and being a little more developed than the Longhorns. It would be nice to get redemption against a Texas team in the CFP semifinals and I think there’s something to be said about the media pressure in Austin being a little too much for the Longhorns if they get in.
- Georgia – This would be a very tough matchup for anyone. The physicality of Georgia and all of its weapons would mean Michigan football needs to be near perfect to win. The lack of dominance in run defense this year would make the matchup slightly more favorable for the Wolverines and I’m trusting in the fact that there hasn’t been a three-peat champion since Minnesota in 1936 to mean that it is too hard to accomplish even for Georgia.
- Oregon – It might be a surprise to put Oregon as less favorable than Georgia, but I think Oregon is a little more well-rounded than the Bulldogs. I don’t know that Michigan football would have an advantage and they are going to have to rely on experience, schematics, and a few big plays to win the game.
https://twitter.com/OhioStateFB/status/1728448141383684550