Washington Football: Michigan Preview

SeaTown Sports continues its series on previewing Husky football opponents in 2024

Since Kevin and I will be doing an Olympics themed podcast this week, we shifted our Big 10 opponent preview to written form. And oh goodness, this is a doozy. In week six, the Washington Huskies welcome the Michigan Wolverines to Montlake in a championship game rematch. While Michigan lost their head coach in Jim Harbaugh, their quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, and a whole host of others, they are still projected as a top 10 team and Big 10 title contender.

With Sherrone Moore at the helm, the Wolverines will look eerily similar in style to the 2023 version. Led by a dominant defense and strong running game, Michigan wants to muck things up and keep the ball in their hands for extended possessions.

Best Three Players

CB Will Johnson

The top rated player in EA Sports College Football 2024, Will Johnson is also a projected top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is even in the discussion to be the first corner taken number one overall in the modern draft history. In games against Ohio State and Washington, Johnson was targeted a total of six times against Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Rome Odunze. Of those six throws, only three were completed and Johnson recorded an interception. He is 6’2 and runs a 4.44 so Johnson has everything you would want in a corner.

Johnson is part of a defensive backfield group that is rated second best in the Big 10 by Big 10 bloggers.

Will Johson, potential 2025 #1 overall pick/ML Live

Colston Loveland, TE

Loveland is a first team All-Big 10 performer after a 2023 season where he caught 45 passes for 649 yards. At 6’5, Loveland is a big target who is projected as the top tight end off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. This graphic from ESPN shows the kind of company Loveland is in among talented tight ends.

From ESPN and TruMedia - read this article! It is good!

Expect a ton of running game and passes to Loveland this season with the occasional downfield throw to WRs Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris. But when Michigan needs a first down, that ball is going Loveland’s way.

DTs Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant

Ok, I cheated a bit here by including both defensive tackles. However, Grant and Graham are considered by some to be the best DT duo in the country. While Michigan hit the transfer portal to fill linebacker and secondary needs, the defensive line returns players who were a force in 2023.

Graham is projected by draft analysts as a Pro Bowl caliber player and the number one defensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus. He is an absolute stud and offensive line wrecker. Grant is also a potential first round pick, but not as highly rated as Graham. However, early mock drafts have him going as high as 14. You can see how difficult this team will be to run against in 2024.

Watch Out For This Player

RB Donovan Edwards

You may remember Donovan Edwards as a Husky fan. In fact, I know you remember him. Six carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the National Championship game will do that to you.

If Edwards plays well for the Wolverines (like he did in 2022), their ceiling reaches National Championship aspirtations with that defense. If Edwards plays more like the regular season 2023 version, Michigan will struggle on offense as they roll out an unproven quarterback in Alex Orji (most likely.)

Can Washington win?

To beat Michigan, the Huskies will need to get this game high paced and down the field. It will be tough to move the ball against the Wolverines so the Husky defense will need to turn Michigan into a passing team. If Washington can get Michigan to rely on Orji (or whoever starts at quarterback) and take away Loveland’s targets, they will give themselves a shot. Unfortunately, that is a tough task. And even then, Michigan is good enough to win 14-13 in an ugly affair where their defense shines.