5 predictions for Michigan football vs. Washington in the CFP National Championship

It's almost time for Michigan football to play for the national championship and here are five predictions and a score for the Wolverines vs. Washington.

Jan 6, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during a / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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The special teams will be better

Michigan football was clearly the better team in the Rose Bowl. All the metrics said that was the case but the Wolverines proved it on the field. One clue is they were still in a position to win the game despite totally bungling the kicking game.

Every time Alabama punted -- the exchange went the way of the Tide. Michigan either muffed the punt, which it did twice, leading to an Alabama touchdown. That was the first muffed punt. The second nearly cost Michigan the game but thankfully, Jake Thaw was able to recover at the one.

The Wolverines also missed a field goal and a point-after-touchdown. If you consider the seven points Alabama got after the fumbled punt, Michigan essentially ceded 11 points in special teams to Alabama and still won the game.

Think about that for a second. I'd be shocked if anything like that happened again. Michigan will be sharp as usual on special teams. I'm interested to see who returns the punt, but I don't think Michigan turns away from Semaj Morgan and if he gets the chance, he'll make a play.

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