The Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies will renew their rivalry this weekend in a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s National Championship game, where Michigan prevailed 34-13. The Wolverines come into this matchup with a 4-1 record, riding a three-game winning streak that includes a hard-fought 27-24 victory over Minnesota. Running back Kalel Mullings has been a standout performer, carrying the team’s offense in recent games, including a 111-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Gophers. Quarterback Alex Orji has struggled, throwing for just 133 yards on the season, which has put extra pressure on the ground game to carry the load. Washington, on the other hand, has shown both flashes of brilliance and moments of inconsistency. The Huskies, led by quarterback Will Rogers, have a potent passing attack, averaging 306 passing yards per game. Rogers has thrown for 1,354 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception this season, making him one of the most efficient passers in the nation.

Despite this, Washington’s offense has been plagued by untimely penalties and poor third-down conversions, which cost them in their recent 21-18 loss to Rutgers. The Huskies racked up 521 total yards against Rutgers but were undone by three missed field goals and a lack of execution in key moments. The key for Michigan will be to control the tempo with their ground game and limit Washington’s big-play potential. The Wolverines’ defense, which has allowed just 17 points per game, will need to keep Rogers in check and force the Huskies into long, sustained drives. If Michigan can jump out to an early lead and put pressure on Washington to pass, they should be able to dictate the pace of the game. For Washington, avoiding mistakes and capitalizing on their home-field advantage will be crucial if they want to turn the tide in this rivalry.