It was less than nine months ago that Michigan and Washington met in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston, with the Wolverines claiming the title with a 34-13 victory.
There will be a rematch Saturday, as No. 10 Michigan (4-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) travels to Seattle to meet the Huskies (3-2, 1-1) for the first time as members of the same conference.
Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore, who was an assistant on Jim Harbaugh’s staff last season, downplayed the rematch angle, however.
“No, just it’s the next game,” Moore said. “And I know we played them last year in the national championship, but it’s two different teams. So we’ve got to go win this game. That’s it.”
The Huskies certainly have a different look after coach Kalen DeBoer was lured away by Alabama and all but a couple of their starters either graduated, went pro or transferred.
Jedd Fisch was hired from Arizona to replace DeBoer. Washington’s two losses have been by a combined eight points, including a 21-18 decision last Friday at Rutgers. The Huskies outgained the hosts 521-299 but scored on just two of four trips into the red zone.
“We’re one basketball hoop away from 5-0, I guess. Three yards away, nine feet. Got to convert on fourth-and-goal at the 1 and fourth-and-goal at the 2 and we have two different outcomes,” said Fisch, also referring to a 24-19 defeat to rival Washington State in the Apple Cup. “Then we’re the best story in college football with 21 new starters and 21 new coaches that are 5-0. Got to find a way to make those plays. If we do that, we’ll have a chance to be very good.”
Jonah Coleman, who followed Fisch from Arizona, leads the Huskies with 104.2 yards rushing per game and quarterback Will Rogers III, a transfer from Mississippi State, has completed 74.8 percent of his passes for 1,354 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Wolverines’ only blemish was a 31-12 defeat to Texas in Week 2.
Michigan has bounced back with three straight wins, holding on for a 27-24 decision against Minnesota last Saturday in the game for the Little Brown Jug. Kalel Mullings rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns in his first start at running back as the Wolverines extended their school-record conference winning streak to 27 games dating to 2021.
“Coach told me I was starting (last Saturday), but it didn’t change much for me,” said Mullings, who leads the team with 540 yards rushing and six touchdowns. “I always prepare like I’m going to (be) on the field for every play.”
Saturday will be Michigan’s first road game of the season.
“You gotta pack your defense first, obviously your run game. And you’ve got to be sound and disciplined in everything you do,” Moore said. “It’s going to be a great environment. I think our players are excited to get on the road. It eliminates distractions, it eliminates all the outside stuff, and you’re kind of in your cocoon with your group. A lot of guys have come by the office and said, ‘I’m ready, we’re ready to get on the road. We’re ready to take this show on the road.'”
Added Wolverines offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi: “It’s kind of exciting actually. Being in different scenery. We know it’s going to be loud, wild. It’s a rematch of the national championship. We’re ready; make their field our home field. That’s what it’s about. Have fun. Let them boo us, let them talk all the crap they want. We’re ready for it all.”
