Mason Graham evaluates Washington offense, how it compares to Ohio State's loaded 2021 squad

Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham evaluated the Washington offense and saw the 2021 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ohio State was loaded that season with quarterback CJ Stroud and wide receivers such as Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. However, the Wolverines beat them in the final game of the regular season and made it to the College Football Playoff.

Washington, with Michael Penix Jr. and a trio of NFL-ready wide receivers, give off those Buckeye vibes according to Graham.

“Yeah, I’d probably say maybe Ohio State in 2021,” Graham said on the CFP teleconference. “Like you know, just watching that offense. A lot of high powered receivers, good quarterback, good O-line so it’ll be a good challenge for us.” 

Penix Jr. is a lefty, so some wondered if Graham and the defense would have to adjust certain looks.

“Not really,” Graham said. “The same stuff we’ve been leaning on all year. Just kind of lean on our pillars, our good defense. You know, just keep playing the way we’ve been playing.”

Guys like Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan lead the way in receiving for Penix Jr. Good luck stopping them as they decimated the Texas secondary in the Sugar Bowl.

In 14 games this season, Penix Jr. has 4,648 yards, 35 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 66.7% completion percentage.

Graham also mentioned the offensive line, something Michigan had to blow through against Ohio State two seasons ago. 

“Yeah, kind of just — I’ve only briefly just started getting into them,” Graham said. “We just got back yesterday, so just kind of getting back into it. But I feel like they’re similar to the other O-lines we’ve faced, good group, well-coached, work well together. It’ll tend to be a similar challenge for us up front.”

So far, Graham and Michigan contained Jalen Milroe and now they have to contain Penix Jr.

“Yeah, I think kind of going into this game with the same mindset,” Graham said. “He can still make plays with his feet, extend plays, obviously he’s a great player on a high-powered offense. We still have to contain the quarterback as best we can and try not to let them or allow them to extend plays because that’s kind of when explosive plays happen.”

Michigan and Washington face off in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game Monday in Houston at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.