2024 College Football Playoff National Championship preview

The NCAA Division I (DI) Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) — the cream of the college football crop — includes 133 teams across 10 DI conferences. For the last decade (including this season), only four squads have advanced to the CFP.

After battling through 12 regular-season games, as well as conference championships, the 13-member CFP committee (which notably includes just one woman) selected the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines, No. 2 Washington Huskies, No. 3 Texas Longhorns, and No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide based on factors like team records, strength of schedule, and, controversially, player injuries.

• After what was arguably the best CFP semis ever (more on those New Year’s Day tilts in a minute), Michigan and Washington are the last squads standing, both hoping to finish their seasons undefeated.

Michigan's been on the rise since 2015, and this season, the No. 1 Wolverines are favored to cap that ascent with their first national title since 1997.

The season: Try to find “dominance” on a map, and you’ll likely land in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The three-peat Big Ten champs never trailed in the second half of a regular season game all year.

• The Wolverines’ biggest flex? Besting archnemesis No. 7 Ohio State for the third year in a row.

The semifinal: Chaos was the name of the Rose Bowl game. Yes, Michigan muffed a punt, snap and field goal, but those mistakes didn’t cost them the game thanks to QB J.J. McCarthy’s calm precision and their defense’s dominance: The Wolverine’s sacked No. 4 Alabama’s QB six times en route to the 27–20 overtime dub, their first CFP win ever.

The headliner: Head coach (HC) Jim Harbaugh infamously dominated this season’s headlines. Harbaugh (and his staff) faced multiple NCAA violation investigations which kept the HC suspended for half of Michigan’s 12 regular-season games.

• Still, Harbaugh led his squad to its winningest season in school history, and as a result, he could bag the most lucrative college football contract ever…if he stays in school.

Keys to success: Defense, defense, and more defense. Washington’s offense is no joke, but if the Wolverines continue shaking up the backfield, expect a maize and blue title — especially if their history-making, lucky-charm running back Blake Corum scores, too.

It all goes down tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game will air live on ESPN in the U.S. and TSN in Canada.

• Will Michigan finally steal seal the deal, or will Washington give the Pac-12 a bittersweet finale? Only one way to find out.

• No matter who takes the title, the Big Ten will come out on top — both Michigan and Washington will compete in the expanded conference next year, with a rematch already scheduled for October.