Greg McElroy shares how Washington can have success vs. Michigan defense
The Michigan defense has been the best in the country during the 2023 season. Entering the national championship game against Washington, the Wolverines lead the nation in scoring defense at 10.2 points per game and total defense at 243.1 yards per game.
However, Michigan has yet to face an offense like the one it will face Monday night against Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies.
Greg McElroy spoke on SportsCenter Saturday morning about what it will take for Washington to have success on offense against the Wolverines.
“Well, it really starts up front in protection. If you look at what Michigan did to Alabama in the Rose Bowl just a few days ago, they were constantly in the backfield, winning those matchups in 1-on-1 situations. So they have to protect. It starts there,” McElroy said. “If you don’t protect, Michael Penix will be running for his life, and that’s not a good situation for any quarterback.”
The good news for Washington is that its offensive line won the Joe Moore Award this season, which is given to the top offensive line unit in college football.
Another positive — Greg McElroy believes that if Penix has time to throw, he can have success against the Wolverines down the field.
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“If they can hold up up front, they have to stay true to their identity. They have to push the ball down the field,” McElroy said. “If you look at Michigan’s efficiency given up, they’ve given up some big plays down the field. It has happened.”
Washington enters the national title game with 39 pass plays of 30-plus yards, which ranks No. 2 nationally.
Michigan has allowed 12 pass plays of at least 30 yards, which ranks No. 13 nationally.
“They don’t give up very much underneath. So if you’re planning on just dinking and dunking your way to a championship, it’s not going to happen,” McElroy said. “You’re going to have to create it with big plays. And the good news for Washington is they’ve made a living doing that all season long. So they have to stay true to their identity, pushing the ball down the field and winning the 1-on-1s with an elite wide receiving corps.”
Penix enters the national championship game averaging 332 passing yards per game and with an excellent group of receivers, led by Rome Odunze. Monday’s national title game should be fascinating as an explosive Huskies offense goes up against a tough Wolverines defense.