As top-ranked Michigan (14–0) prepares for its national championship showdown with No. 2 Washington (14–0), defending one particular Huskies player is paramount in the eyes of Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh.
The talents of Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. were on full display in the Huskies’ 37–31 win over No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl, as he completed 76.3% of his passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns.
Harbaugh heaped praise on the senior signal-caller, who ranks third in the nation with 35 touchdown passes this season.
“He’s just got the ‘it’ factor,” Harbaugh told reporters Saturday in Houston. “He’s got no conscience when he’s throwing one of those balls into the tightest window and the confidence that he can put it in there and his receivers are going to make a play. I mean, that’s scary good. As good as he is in the pocket, he’s deadly when he gets out of the pocket, too, in either direction. It’s formidable. It’s elite.”
John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports
Harbaugh and the Wolverines’ defensive staff will have their hands full containing Penix and a high-powered Washington offense that has averaged 37.6 points per game this season.
However, Michigan will have supreme confidence after leading the nation in scoring defense by surrendering just 10.2 points per game this season.
The 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday.
