Paul Finebaum explains why he expects Michigan to beat Washington in College Football Playoff National Championship
Michigan and Washington are hours away from meeting in the College Football Playoff national championship game.
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum shared his pick for the big-time showdown during his show on Monday.
Finebaum is going with Michigan to win the battle of undefeateds.
“To me, it really comes down to Michigan’s ability to run the ball on Washington. I don’t think there’s much on the other side. … And I think the problem I’m having with this game is it’s hard to get the bias out of what I just got through watching,” Paul Finebaum said. “And even though I’m well aware the game went to overtime, it seemed like on the line of scrimmage, especially defensively, Michigan dominated. And offensively they did, too.”
Finebaum is of course referring to the Rose Bowl matchup between Alabama and Michigan.
The Wolverines needed overtime to earn a 27-20 win, but Michigan looked like the better team for much of the game. Michigan outgained Alabama 351 to 288 and had six sacks, compared to only one for the Crimson Tide.
Finebaum doesn’t trust Washington to stop the run or block Michigan’s defensive front, although he admits he hasn’t seen the Huskies play much this year.
“I want to make it clear… I saw Washington play a couple of times this year, primarily the two Oregon games. They always tell you at ESPN, don’t tell anybody you’re not an expert. I’m really not an expert on Washington,” Finebaum said.
He added that he has heard from people he trusts who feel differently about the game.
“I’ve had more people that I respect as football coaches and experts pick Washington than Michigan,” he said.
Paul Finebaum walks back comments on if a Michigan national championship will be tainted
Paul Finebaum not only expects Michigan to beat Washington, but he believes if the Wolverines do, the win won’t be tainted.
Finebaum was asked earlier this week if a Michigan national championship should have an asterisk.
“I don’t think so,” Finebaum said on Get Up. “And I know what I said and I know what many others said …College football right now, it is such a mess. And while a lot of us find what we believe the case to be here, to be repugnant, almost everything about college football right now is repugnant.
“So I think Michigan if they win, they’ll hoist the trophy. There’ll be haters out there, but most people I think are gonna go ‘congratulations, you are the best team.’”