The Extra Point

   Thoughts on an Insane Week of Football 1. Michigan Won Harbaugh's Way Jim Harbaugh did what he said he would do, winning Michigan's first national title since 1997 and their first outright national title since 1948. It's crazy to think back to 2020, when Michigan was 2-4, avoided playing Ohio State, and looked lifeless on both sides of the ball. Harbaugh had tried to change his philosophy to include the modern offense, pace and space, and had a flashy defense with top recruits. Three seasons later and they are physical on all fronts, pound the football to limit possessions of the high-powered offenses of Ohio State (and Washington) and then getting stops with a physical front and blanket coverage on the backend. I loved the blanket cover 3 and 4 that Michigan was running, it really shut down Washington. It reminds me a bit of Villanova under Jay Wright struggling with the top recruits and then going back to finding their guys, leading to national success. Michigan had tw...

  National Title Preview: What I'm Watching Monday Night (Plus NFL Week 18 Pickapalooza) The Big Ten Conference has to feel great that this year's national title is a rematch next year in a conference game. After having Alabama and Georgia face off as conference foes twice in the CFP, everyone else feels is feeling some type of way. Here is what I will be watching on Monday night and what my final prediction is. 1. Will Johnson vs Rome Odunze Michigan built their team to beat Ohio State's offense, a downfield passing game with NFL wide receivers. Washington is the perfect version of that. In order to stop the pass, you need stud corners, and if you want to know anything about Will Johnson just look at the number he wears. Charles Woodson wore #2 to a Heisman, you do not wear that unless you want those expectations. He mirrored Marvin Harrison Jr. until he got injured in The Game this year, and they had some great battles. Johnson is long and lanky and loves to attack on ins...

  Thoughts on College Football's Last Bowl Week and NFL Week 17 1. Best of the Week Best Game: The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl (tie) It really sucks that the College Football Playoffs came about during one of the most consolidated periods of college football. For too many years the games were decided by more than three touchdowns and it was a snoozefest. Well, not this year. The Rose Bowl delivered a sloppy but fun game between the two all-time winningest programs. God said it was too much fun and we should get extra football and it went to overtime. In New Orleans, the shootout was amazing, with Quinn Ewers battling injury valiantly but Michael Penix Jr. being even better. What a night of college football we were given to start the year. Best Player: CeeDee Lamb (WR) - Cowboys I know the game ended horribly (we will get to that), but you can't deny the impact that the next great Cowboys' 88 had on the game. Moving Lamb into the slot more has unlocked him. It used to be that s...