College Football Playoff Preview With Desmond Howard
The College Football Playoff is set, so we spoke with ESPN's Rece Davis to get his take on Michigan vs. TCU, and Georgia vs. Ohio State.
We’ve heard all about it: The College Football Playoff selection was controversial. Instead of rehashing that coverage, we’ll focus on the teams that were selected to the final edition of the four team College Football Playoff before the field expands to 12 teams next season. Both games have a high level of intrigue.
The Rose Bowl will include two blue bloods of college football, as well as two iconic coaches facing off in arguably the most hallowed grounds in the sport. Alabama vs Michigan figures to be an old-fashioned, black-and-blue heavyweight fight. Quarterbacks Jalen Milroe and JJ McCarthy will need to navigate two stout defenses if they want to make the trip to Houston for the National Championship. These two teams have similar philosophies of overpowering and dominating the line of scrimmage. We’ll see which team can assert themselves and avoid costly turnovers in the shadow of the San Gabriel mountains.
Then for the night cap, the Washington Huskies and Texas Longhorns should bring the fireworks in a rematch of last year's Alamo Bowl, which featured over 850 yards of offense. Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr. will look to punish the Longhorns secondary with three NFL-caliber wide receivers in Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja'Lynn Polk. Texas’ secondary will need to force turnovers and hope Quinn Ewers can blow the top off with his own talented receiving corps of Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell. Running the ball would go a long way for both teams to avoid becoming one dimensional, but it’s merely an added bonus.
Sling spoke to ESPN's Desmond Howard for a closer look at Both games. You can watch Alabama vs Michigan and Washington vs Texas on ESPN for the best price on Sling with Sling Orange or Sling Orange + Blue. Use the link below to sign up now!
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Rose Bowl - #1 Michigan vs #4 Alabama
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
January 1, 2023 at 5pm ET on ESPN
Who has the edge: Alabama offense or the Michigan defense?
Desmond Howard: Phew! Alabama's offense versus Michigan's defense. It all comes down to Jalen Milroe. We saw him early in the season, and he didn't look that great against Texas and got benched. But since then, I think they found what he does well and they've tailored their offense to his strength, so to speak. And you go up against this Jesse Minter defense led by guys like Mike Sainristil and Will Johnson, it's going to be a great matchup. I don't know... This one’s going to be interesting. It’s going to really be interesting. That chess match is going to be one to watch.
Who has the edge: Michigan offense or the Alabama defense?
DH: Michigan's offense, led by JJ McCarthy against this Alabama defense with just a very active and aggressive front seven. You know that Nick Saban is going to come in with a hell of a game plan to try to stop the running. Don't forget, Michigan comes into this game without their best offensive lineman, unanimous consensus All-American Zach Zinter, who got hurt in the Ohio State game. They didn't run the ball extremely well against Iowa, so that's a concern. If they cannot move the ball with the run against Alabama, I will have to give the edge to the Tide.
Who has the edge in the coaching battle: Jim Harbaugh or Nick Saban?
DH: Nick Saban, the greatest college football coach of all time, versus Jim Harbaugh, probably one of the few coaches who has ever experienced a high level of success in the NFL, taking the team to the Super Bowl, and in College Football. So you're looking at just two great football minds going head-to-head. It's going to be a great matchup. I think this one is a push.
What has to happen for Alabama to win?
DH: For Alabama to win the Rose Bowl, they're going to have to control the line of scrimmage. It's just that simple. If they can dominate the trenches, then they will probably win this game.
What has to happen for Michigan to win?
DH: The Michigan Wolverines understand this is a heavyweight match and the way that they're built, they're built to control the line of scrimmage offensively and defensively. Before you talk about any skill in the perimeter, it all starts in the trenches. If they can control the line of scrimmage, they will win the game.
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Sugar Bowl - #2 Washington vs #3 Texas
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
January 1, 2023 at 8:45pm ET on ESPN
Who has the edge: Texas offense or the Washington defense?
DH: I’ve been really impressed with Washington's defense after seeing them in the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon. They got their safeties back and they have two excellent edge rushers. But man, the skill that Texas brings to the field with Quinn [Ewers] at the quarterback position, you got Xavier Worthy on one side, [AD] Mitchell on the other side. I just don't know if the secondary of Washington will be able to hold up with the skill of Texas. And [coach] Sark is a hell of a play caller. I would say slight edge Longhorns.
Who has the edge: Washington offense or the Texas defense?
DH: I don't know if you guys saw the Pac-12 Championship game, but one thing that jumped out at me, especially during the second half of the season and in the Pac-12 Championship, was Washington's offensive line and Dillon Johnson. They've taken over games late in the season, especially in the championship game. And I think going up against this Texas front seven, you may not remember names, but remember these numbers. Number 93 and number 90, defensive tackles for Texas. Those guys are studs. They're run stoppers. But don't forget, Penix was a Heisman finalist. He has the best receiving core in the College Football Playoff, so I will have to give a slight edge to the Huskies offense.
Who has the edge in the coaching battle: Kalen DeBoer or Steve Sarkisian?
DH: When we look at Kalen DeBoer, Washington's head coach, I believe this is just his second year. So we're all blown away that he has the Huskies in the College Football Playoff so quickly. I mean, he's changed the culture and the guys have bought in, and they're doing a fantastic job. Then with Sark, we've been hearing since he's been down in Austin, that “Texas is back! Texas is back! Texas is back!” Well, it finally looks like Texas is back. And Sark has a little more experience than DeBoer. So, I would probably give the edge to Sarkisian.
What has to happen for Texas to win?
DH: For Texas to win this game, they're going to have to come up with some big stops on defense. A lot of three-and-outs to stop Washington's offense.
What has to happen for Washington to win?
DH: For Washington to get the ‘W’ they're going to have to create some turnovers on defense and make sure that they capitalize on those turnovers to beat the Longhorns.
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