Which team is more likely to win—the Washington Huskies or the Michigan Wolverines?
On Monday, January 8, the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines will play for the NCAA College Football National Title.
The Wolverines’ final national championship came in 1997, the final season before college football’s BCS playoff system was implemented. A split championship from 1991 marked the Huskies’ most recent national championship.
Yes, the Huskies will face the Michigan Wolverines for the National Title on Monday as the underdog once again. With victories over their respective conference titles and trips to bowl games—Michigan over Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington over Texas in the Sugar Bowl—both teams enter the match at 14-0. Those victories were more important than bowl games in order to get to Monday’s championship.
The Huskies were underdogs against the Longhorns, underdogs against the Oregon Ducks for the final Pac-12 Championship, and they’ve been underdogs numerous times throughout the 2023 season. Washington almost seemed to enjoy being underrated, and perhaps used that lack of respect to propel them to victory – 14 times.
All year long, the Washington Huskies star quarterback Michael Penix Jr was highly effective. Many believe the Husky senior was snubbed for the Heisman nod. Washington’s high-octane offensive attack has to be in fine form against a solid Wolverine defense. A combination of the Penix aerial attack and an establishment of the run game are keys for the Huskies.
On the opposite side of the ball, it will be critical for the Husky defense to defend against the run, and not allow the Wolverines to make big plays. Special teams play must be sharp – and many believe the team that wins the turnover battle will come out on top. Whatever the outcome, this national title meeting between college football’s undefeated two best teams promises to be entertaining.
The Chicago Cubs were another cursed team. Heading into the 2003 baseball season, the team hadn’t won a World Series in 95 years. The ’03 team had the third-best record in the league and it seemed possible that they would finally break the Cubs’ losing streak. Except on Oct. 14, 2003, during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, Steve Bartman happened. Florida Marlins player Luis Castillo hit a pop-up down the left line, and when left fielder Moises Alou went for the catch, he collided with Bartman’s outstretched glove and missed the ball. The Cubs quickly unraveled and lost the series and Bartman.nearly had to go into witness protection because of the anger Cubs fans directed at him. Luckily, he reconciled with the team after the Cubs won the 2016 World Series and was given a championship ring.
