Michael Penix believes he hasn't played his best game at Washington: 'We've got one more to go'

During the lead up to Sugar Bowl week — Washington star Michael Penix Jr. was asked whether or not he believed that he’s played his best game as a Husky already.

430 passing yards and two touchdown passes later, and he’s still not convinced. Could the best still be yet to come?

“Nah, we’ve got one more to go,” Penix said bluntly after taking down Texas 37-31 in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

The Huskies will now take on the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines in a battle of the final unbeaten teams in college football. The winner lays claim to the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy — something that has eluded the Huskies in its short history.

Of course, after Penix led Washington to an 11-2 season capped with an Alamo Bowl win during Kalen DeBoer’s first season as the Huskies’ head coach. He had the option last season to leave college and turn pro — but as it turns out, he made the right decision in the long run.

“That was definitely the biggest reason we came back. We set our goal before the season started,” Penix said of Washington’s national title aspirations. “Our goal was to win the national championship. Now, we’ve got the opportunity — we’ve got the shot to do it.”

Michigan’s defense will be a stiff task for the Huskies to overcome during next week’s title game, but if Penix’s words are to be taken seriously and he’s saving his best performance for his last — Washington might just head back to Seattle at the top of the college football world having defeated two of the biggest brands in the sport.

It will take more than just Penix’s efforts to down the mighty Wolverines, however, as he explained during his interview on the field immediately following the final whistle.

We just find ways to overcome and always battle to find a way to win, and that’s what it was about today,” Penix said. “We just played a great team, and finding a way to win, that’s what we’ve been doing all year. This a great one, though.”

Now, the Huskies — just like Michigan — will be forced into a quick turnaround as the national championship game is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN. The Wolverines have opened as a 4.5-point early betting favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under total is set at 54.5 points.