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Here are the key takeaways from Washington’s CFP semifinal win:
Michael Penix Jr. should fly up draft boards: Penix Jr. is currently the fifth best quarterback and No. 30 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus’ big board. But following his 430-yard and two-touchdown performance, he should be flying up NFL draft boards.
The Heisman runner up has impressed all season with 4,218 passing yards and 33 touchdowns on the year and joined some good company in Monday night’s win.
Penix Jr. joined Patrick Mahomes as the last two FBS quarterbacks to have 4,500 pass yards in consecutive seasons. If he can add a national championship to his resume next week, he won’t be waiting too long to hear his name called come April.
Is it time for Arch Manning?: QB Quinn Ewers had a nice night, passing for 318 yards and one touchdown, but his backup, Arch Manning, is waiting for his turn to lead the team. Ewers may very well declare for the NFL Draft in the coming days, but if does decide to return for another year, Texas will have a difficult decision to make.
Although Manning didn’t win the starting job this season, he brings high expectations with that name on the back of his jersey. If he can reach those, the Longhorns are going to want to turn to him sooner than later. The freshman threw for 30 yards on five attempts in Texas’ 57-7 outing against Texas Tech University earlier this season.
Dillon Johnson’s status is in question: Johnson was visibly in pain and needed help getting off the field after suffering an injury late in the fourth quarter. His availability for the national championship is now up in the air.
If Washington’s leading rusher (1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns) cannot go, which looks likely after he was carted to the locker room, it will certainly be a big blow to one of college football’s best offenses.
Will Nixon would be the next man up and he’ll have big shoes to fill with just 194 yards and one touchdown on the season.
Ja’Tavion Sanders will be missed: Sanders was arguably Texas’ best offensive player in the game with a team-leading six catches for 75 yards. He also broke the school record for the most receptions made by a tight end (99), which was quite the way to go out.
The 6-foot-4, 243-pound tight end is the second best ranked tight end in this coming NFL Draft just behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers, according to PFF.
With a declaration likely coming soon, the Longhorns will need to find who will fill his role in 2024.
The stage is set: Washington will meet Michigan, who defeated Alabama 27-20 earlier on Monday, in the CFP National Championship Game on Jan. 8. Both teams have completely different identities, which sets it up to be much anticipated.
The Wolverines enter the game allowing the fewest points per game (9.5) and second fewest total yards per game (239.7) with an emphasis on running the football on offense. While The Huskies have college football’s best passing attack (343.8 yards per game) with elite playmakers like Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan.
Get your popcorn ready for this one.
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