Michigan and Washington are nearing kickoff for Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Lee Corso is rolling with the favorite in Texas.
Kirk Herbstreit filmed a video on his phone before a pre-game edition of College GameDay aired Monday night. He asked his longtime friend and co-panelist, Corso, to predict which team will win the national title at NRG Stadium.
Corso backed Michigan. The former head coach explained his choice with one word: “Defense.”
Coach Corso is leaning Michigan early đŸ‘€@PatMcAfeeShow | @KirkHerbstreit | @ReceDavis | @DesmondHoward | #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/9wrGV50pu2
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 8, 2024
Michigan has allowed an FBS-low 10.2 points and 243.1 yards per game all season. They’ve yielded just 150 passing yards per contest after stifling Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to 116 passing yards in last week’s Rose Bowl triumph.
The nation will see a battle of epic proportions when that unit opposes Washington’s top-ranked aerial offense.
Michael Penix Jr. has 4,648 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, including 430 yards and two scores in a 37-31 Sugar Bowl triumph over Texas. The sixth-year senior can etch his name into college football immortality by leading the Huskies to a victory over the Wolverines.
Michigan must contain star wide receivers Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk, who each exceeded 100 yards in last Monday’s CFP semifinal win. On the other hand, a Washington defense that has relinquished 4.4 yards per carry will combat a potent Michigan ground game.Â
Blake Corum scored his 25th rushing touchdown this season against Alabama. The senior has found the end zone at least once in every game this season.
Corso didn’t break out the Michigan helmet for Herbstreit’s video, but he did last week when predicting a Wolverines victory in “the most controversial pick I’ve ever made.” We’ll see if he has the headgear waiting for College GameDay before the National Championship Game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.