Michigan and Washington, Future Big Ten Rivals, Advance to CFP Final
So is this the College Football Playoff Championship, or the future Big Ten Championship? The Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies advanced to the College Football Playoff Final outlasting Alabama and…
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20 in overtime to win the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)So is this the College Football Playoff Championship, or the future Big Ten Championship?
The Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies advanced to the College Football Playoff Final outlasting Alabama and Texas, respectively on New Year's Day. This will now pit the "top two" teams in college football against one another next Monday night in Houston when the Wolverines and Huskies meet.
Ironically though, this game will have a bit of a Big Ten feel to it. That is because Washington is leaving the Pac-12 after this game to join the Big Ten Conference beginning next fall. In fact, these same two teams will meet again in a re-match on October 5 at Husky Stadium.
ROSE BOWL:
Michigan advanced to the CFP Final with a resounding 27-20 win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Advertised as a classic between two of college football's flagship programs, the game did not disappoint.
J.J. McCarthy was solid, throwing for 221 yards and three touchdown passes. His four-yard screen to Roman Wilson tied the game at 20 in the final minutes to force OT.
In the OT, Michigan wasted little time, as Blake Corum scampered down the sideline for a 17-yard touchdown to give Michigan a 27-20 lead.
Alabama tried to respond, but Jalen Milroe ran into the stout Michigan defense on fourth and three at the three yard line of Michigan to seal the deal.
SUGAR BOWL
A showcase game for Washington quarterback Michael Pinex Jr., who is expected to go high in this April's NFL draft. Pinex tossed for 43o yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Rome Odunze hauled in six of those passes for 125 yards. Meanwhile, Ja'Lynn Polk hauled in five catches for 122 yards and a touchdown.
Texas did have a shot at the end of the game, but quarterback Quinn Ewers pass into the end zone fell incomplete as the receiver tumbled out of bounds.
Rutgers Captures Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium
Rutgers defeated the University of Miami (FL) 31-24 in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
Kyle Monangai took home MVP honors with a 163 yards rushing, while Rutgers won its sixth bowl game under Head Coach Greg Schiano. More than 35,314 were in attendance to watch the game. Rutgers also earned its first ever win against the University of Miami.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 28: Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrate after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 to win the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 28: Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrate after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 to win the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrate after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 to win the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: Kyle Monangai #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights rushes against the Miami Hurricanes during the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: Kyle Monangai #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights rushes for a second quarter touchdown against Markeith Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes during the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: Gavin Wimsatt #2, Kyle Monangai #5 and Carnell Davis #21 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrate after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 to win the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: Kyle Monangai #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates his second quarter rushing touchdown with Isaiah Washington #14 V during the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: Jacurri Brown #11 of the Miami Hurricanes runs the ball in for a second quarter touchdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights walks out onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Miami Hurricanes during the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Miami v Rutgers
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: Kyle Monangai #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights rushes for a second quarter touchdown against Markeith Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes during the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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