#2 Washington vs. #3 Texas ...who do you want to win?
The only priority is to beat Alabama. Doesn't matter how, just win.
But who are you rooting for (or against) in the other semifinal?
I ask because there is no obvious rooting interest. There is no OSU or SEC team to root against. There is no darling underdog to root for. Michigan has to play both teams next year.
Also, these types of programs often get lumped together. I've noticed that people seem "like" Michigan, Washington, Texas, UNC...those fan bases tend to get along, they have similar reputations, it's generally cordial between them. Kinda of like Duke, Northwestern, Vandy, and Stanford for the private schools. Or Miami and USC.
Anyway, with no glaringly obvious choice...who do you want to win? #2 Washington or #3 Texas?
Bonus: Who do you *think* will win the other semifinal? #2 Washington or #3 Texas?
Obligatory: BEAT BAMA.
December 9th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
Texas. It's the highest ranked SEC team.
December 9th, 2023 at 8:26 PM ^
Washington. Have always thought Steve 71-48 Sarkisian is a mediocre coach (and think he's having an Chizik Ogeron year this year). And watching him have that cursing tantrum at the TV guy last year before taking the field and losing a shit bowl game reinforced that once again.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:00 AM ^
Washington. So Texas doesn’t get a home game in the final and tickets don’t skyrocket on us…after we beat Bama!
December 9th, 2023 at 9:03 AM ^
Also would be cool to see two B10 teams in the title game having beating 2 SEC teams as we move into the post-post modern era of CFB
December 9th, 2023 at 9:10 AM ^
This is the correct answer!
December 9th, 2023 at 9:18 AM ^
Also, one can only stomach so many McConaughey sideline shots.
December 9th, 2023 at 11:07 AM ^
On principle I have to disagree with you there. We shouldn't be rooting for in conference teams like the SEC does. No chanting "BIG TEN! BIG TEN! BIG TEN!"
I might root for Washington, but if I do it won't be because we're sharing a made-for-TV megaconference with them.
December 11th, 2023 at 8:20 AM ^
I figured you rooting for the Longhorns was a given since you're a Texas Ranger and all that...
December 9th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
Washington because they play the most similar offense to Ohio State and our defense is built to beat that.
December 9th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
Yes id much rather deal with stopping Washingtons offense and getting their meh defense than having to face Texas’ d-line which is gonna cause us a lot of problems. UW all the way
December 9th, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
Nailed it, Washington's defense has a run success rate-against that is ranked in the bottom 10 in the country. Should be able to control the ball against them
Also Washington just for the aesthetics. Wish the matchup were in the Rose Bowl but the Southern teams had to mess that up because they had to have their Diet NFL postseason
December 9th, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
Hail yes, as I would love to see two 14-0 teams going at it.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:02 AM ^
Whichever team is more likely to lose to us, or whichever team is more likely to beat Alabama. Ask me after the Rose Bowl.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:11 AM ^
Washington and Texas are very similar teams. Washington has the better QB while Texas has better line play. I would say Washington would be a better opponent for Michigan because it seems like we are more likely to win the trenches against them. And it would basically be a home game for Texas in the finals.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:32 AM ^
Agree. I would just add that Washington's defense is doo doo.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:49 AM ^
One of the most intriguing aspects of these highly touted PAC teams coming to the B1G is how will their records stack up with their prior successful season once they have to start playing defense? And what will the national discourse be around any change?
It always interested me when TAMU and Mizzou joined the SEC, they were middling-to-good Big12 teams and ended up maintaining or surpassing their prior levels of success in their new conference within a couple years. The ESPN narrative never, to my knowledge, never sniffed so much as “hey maybe the SEC isn’t all that much better than every other conference” (surprise!) but it was pretty obvious to impartial observers. Anyway, might be some diverging narratives this time around
December 9th, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
I suspect they’ll do just fine. There are only a few big ten teams with legit defense.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:13 AM ^
Maybe im a weirdo but i just dont have rooting interests most of the time unless Michigan is involved. Always root for ohio to lose of course.
But idk, isn't it just totally fine to watch as a neutral and hope for a good entertaining game to watch??
As to who i would predict to win? Neither, it's a tossup. Both teams are very very good, and they'll each have a month to prepare to olay a great game.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
I'd like Washington to win because:
1) Washington is my second favorite college football program. If they win and UM beats Bama, I would be guaranteed to see a team I like win the National Championship.
2) I don't like Texas (the University, the state is fine)
3) I think Washington is kind of similar to 2021/2022 Ohio State: high powered passing offense, mediocre defense. I think UM probably has the best chance of beating Washington of any of the three teams in the playoffs.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:34 AM ^
2) I don't like Texas (the University, the state is fine)
That's funny. I have the exact opposite feelings about UT versus Texas. To each their own I guess.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:58 AM ^
Amen to that. Backwards thinking if ever I saw it.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
All the upvotes.
I lived there. Texas thinks it's its own country.
UT is a quality school and Austin is a great city.
Texas is... /nopolitics
December 9th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
I'm that rarest of rare breeds: a conservative MgBlog member. So, yeah, I'm okay with Texas. I avoid talking politics on here because about 99.2% of this board seems to be liberal.
As you say, to each their own.
December 9th, 2023 at 12:05 PM ^
It's all good. I think if people sat down and talked over a beer, they'd find they have much more that unites rather than divides them. That's my experience anyway.
I'd rather do that than get sucked into the trap of those that benefit from keeping us divided.
December 9th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^
I think if people sat down and talked over a beer, they'd find they have much more that unites rather than divides them
That's the way it used to be, but nowadays i find that people who disagree with my political opinions also disagree with me about like the nature of reality. It's weird, I really can't connect to some people on any level. Oh well, don't want to get too close to talking politics but something about your comment struck a nerve i suppose.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:29 AM ^
Good observation but I would argue Washington's defense is much less talented BUT they face much better QB competition on a weekly basis in the Pac-12.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:17 AM ^
UW, only because they are my second-favorite team.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:19 AM ^
I'm rooting for Washington because I never, ever root for any team in Texas, in any sport, college or pro.
However, I think Texas will beat Washington and play Alabama in the title game.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
Same.
December 9th, 2023 at 1:52 PM ^
I understand the coping mechanism, but Michigan will beat Alabama, and then they will beat whoever they play next.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:19 AM ^
Meechigan
December 9th, 2023 at 9:20 AM ^
The only priority is to beat Alabama. Doesn't matter how, just win.
/thread
December 9th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
Pretty sure I said that. Multiple times.
/reopen_thread
December 9th, 2023 at 10:41 AM ^
Why do people continually do this? Like, we can’t discuss anything other than our own game? We must focus the entire fan base’s collective mental energy on beating Alabama or the team will lose its edge!
December 9th, 2023 at 12:59 PM ^
Yeah dude we are all practicing right now before we fly out to CA.
December 9th, 2023 at 8:29 PM ^
Whatever. I'm training with every ounce of my strength to beat Alabama. Can't lose even a second off my training to think about some so flippant.
December 9th, 2023 at 8:29 PM ^
Whatever. I'm training with every ounce of my strength to beat Alabama. Can't lose even a second off my training to think about some so flippant.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:34 AM ^
If Texas wins then the Championship game is basically a home game for their fans. So Washington
December 9th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
I mean sure, but do you really think Michigan fans won't travel in hordes for potentially their first national championship game in 30 years?
Texas may have a slight edge in attendance for that game just due to geographical proximity, but I'd be shocked if its any worse than 55-45. Michigan fans would gobble up tickets fast.
December 9th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
Sorry, you're hallucinating. A game in Houston would be 80% Texas fans, easily. It'd be like putting the championship game in Detroit and then suggesting Michigan wouldn't have a home crowd.
If UW can pull the upset, it is going to (a) make the championship game much more tenable and (b) save the Michigan fans who do go hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
December 9th, 2023 at 2:28 PM ^
I would argue against the comparison about if the NC game was in Detroit. I live in HTX and there are a lot of people from Michigan and a significant population of alums (Alumni? Alumnus? Alumunuses?). I think it would be close to even at NRG.
I'd still prefer Washington I guess? Losing to UT while living here would be an experience.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:35 AM ^
I would prefer Washington win…
December 9th, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
Texas….now an SEC team. Would love to see the south completely shut out of the title
December 9th, 2023 at 9:42 AM ^
I think Texas is the better team, so Washington.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:45 AM ^
I'd rather have Washington, so when its a Michigan-Washington final, Greg Sankey's head explodes at the concept of two B1G teams playing for a title instead of two SEC teams.
A Texas-Alabama matchup will make him go full Randy Marsh Ectoplasm.....
December 9th, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
A Texas-Alabama matchup will make him go full Randy Marsh Ectoplasm....
Get ready.
December 9th, 2023 at 12:10 PM ^
The CFP committee will meet again and conclude that even though Texas and Alabama lost, they are truly the two best teams and they will play in the title game
December 9th, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^
I really do not know/care. This will be a game that I will go into as being a neutral observer...but I, for some reason, begin preferring one over the other. In these situations I generally cheer for the B1G-so likely Washington :)
December 9th, 2023 at 11:33 AM ^
F the big ten.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
Now that Texas is entering the SEC and Washington is going into the B1G I want Washington to win.
Washington Pro: Michael Penix is pretty cool. Giles Jackson. Stadium is cool.
Washington Con: F you Steve Emtman
Texas Pro: Keep Austin Weird, Xavier Worthy
Texas Con: Sark, Ewers
I like both schools though.