Listed below are the important thing takeaways from Washington’s CFP semifinal win:
Michael Penix Jr. ought to fly up draft boards: Penix Jr. is presently the fifth finest quarterback and No. 30 general prospect on Pro Football Focus’ big board. However following his 430-yard and two-touchdown efficiency, he needs to be flying up NFL draft boards.
The Heisman runner up has impressed all season with 4,218 passing yards and 33 touchdowns on the 12 months and joined some good firm in Monday evening’s win.
Penix Jr. joined Patrick Mahomes because the final two FBS quarterbacks to have 4,500 pass yards in consecutive seasons. If he can add a nationwide championship to his resume subsequent week, he will not be ready too lengthy to listen to his title known as come April.
Is it time for Arch Manning?: QB Quinn Ewers had a pleasant evening, passing for 318 yards and one landing, however his backup, Arch Manning, is ready for his flip to guide the crew. Ewers could very effectively declare for the NFL Draft within the coming days, but when does determine to return for one more 12 months, Texas could have a tough choice to make.
Though Manning did not win the beginning job this season, he brings excessive expectations with that title on the again of his jersey. If he can attain these, the Longhorns are going to wish to flip to him before later. The freshman threw for 30 yards on 5 makes an attempt in Texas’ 57-7 outing towards Texas Tech College earlier this season.
Dillon Johnson’s standing is in query: Johnson was visibly in pain and wanted assist getting off the sector after struggling an damage late within the fourth quarter. His availability for the nationwide championship is now up within the air.
If Washington’s main rusher (1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns) can not go, which seems to be doubtless after he was carted to the locker room, it is going to definitely be an enormous blow to one in every of school soccer’s finest offenses.
Will Nixon could be the subsequent man up and he’ll have large sneakers to fill with simply 194 yards and one landing on the season.
Ja’Tavion Sanders will likely be missed: Sanders was arguably Texas’ finest offensive participant within the sport with a team-leading six catches for 75 yards. He additionally broke the varsity document for essentially the most receptions made by a good finish (99), which was fairly the best way to exit.
The 6-foot-4, 243-pound tight finish is the second finest ranked tight finish on this coming NFL Draft simply behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers, in keeping with PFF.
With a declaration doubtless coming quickly, the Longhorns might want to discover who will fill his function in 2024.
The stage is ready: Washington will meet Michigan, who defeated Alabama 27-20 earlier on Monday, within the CFP Nationwide Championship Recreation on Jan. 8. Each groups have fully totally different identities, which units it as much as be a lot anticipated.
The Wolverines enter the sport permitting the fewest factors per sport (9.5) and second fewest complete yards per sport (239.7) with an emphasis on operating the soccer on offense. Whereas The Huskies have school soccer’s finest passing assault (343.8 yards per game) with elite playmakers like Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan.
Get your popcorn prepared for this one.
