In which BracketCat simulates the national championship game for the 16-team playoff bracket for 2023.
Well, that was fun! Different (sometimes more convoluted) process, same result. While this is not case-closing evidence that expansion from 4 to 16 teams was unnecessary, it does seem to support the argument. More years of data will be required to be certain, though.
In the meantime, we will rewind back to 2022 next week and answer the eternal question: What kind of damage could the Big 12 champion K-State Wildcats done if they had just been allowed in? With 16 spots to fill, no committee can ever deny a Power 4 champion again!
Today’s Game
2024 College Football Playoff National Championship:
No. 2 Washington (16-0) vs. No. 1 Michigan (16-0)
No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines (16-0; AP/Coaches #1): Big Ten Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @ #10 Penn State, #7 Ohio State, vs. #9 Missouri, vs. #13 LSU
Losses: none
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (9th and final season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy
Running Backs: Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards
Wide Receivers: Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson
Tight End: Colston Loveland
No. 2 seed Washington Huskies (16-0; AP/Coaches #2): Pac-12 Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @ #14 Arizona, #8 Oregon (x2), vs. #7 Ohio State, vs. #3 Texas
Losses: none
Head Coach: Kalen DeBoer (2nd season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Michael Penix Jr.
Running Backs: Dillon Johnson and Will Nixon
Wide Receivers: Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk
Tight End: Jack Westover
Final Score: Michigan 26, Washington 14
(True Result: Michigan 34, Washington 13)
NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas
Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 – 6:45 PM CST / 7:45 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 72
Wind: None (indoor stadium)
Player of the Game: Michigan RB Blake Corum
HOUSTON (AP) — For the first time since 1997, the Michigan Wolverines are national champions.
Behind a punishing defensive effort, a clutch ground game from Blake Corum and four field goals from James Turner, No. 1 Michigan (17-0) took down No. 2 Washington 26-14 in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday night.
Corum earned Player of the Game honors after rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, including a 62-yard burst that set up a second-quarter score.
His bruising style helped the Wolverines to control the clock and wear down a Huskies defense that otherwise had been dominant throughout the postseason.
Washington struck first on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Michael Penix Jr. to Germie Bernard and the Huskies led briefly in the second quarter after a 1-yard TD toss to Jack Westover.
But the Michigan defense took over from there, holding the nation’s top passing attack scoreless in the second half and limiting the Huskies to just 20 rushing yards on 24 carries.
Turner’s perfect night — he went 4 for 4 on field goals — extended Michigan’s lead and preserved it when Washington (16-1) threatened. Penix threw for 375 yards and two touchdowns, but also tossed two costly interceptions, both to cornerback Will Johnson.
J.J. McCarthy played a clean, steady game, throwing for 246 yards and a touchdown, while backup Jack Tuttle added 66 passing yards in relief packages.
Michigan converted 14 of 22 third downs and held the ball for 36 minutes, showcasing the physical, methodical style that brought them back to the top of the college football world.
With the win, Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines complete a perfect season and capture the school’s first undisputed national title in the modern era of college football.
Final 2023 Playoff Bracket and Results
Tomorrow’s Post
I’ve decided to go ahead and compile a variety of stats on these playoff simulations, and I plan to share those with you on Saturdays from here on out.
Some of them will be fun and silly (coaches’ hypothetical playoff records, for instance), while others will be more fact-based and relevant (total number of playoff bids for each conference — both pre- and post-realignment). Stay tuned for more tomorrow!
BracketCat’s Protest Playoff Archives
2024: Kickoff | Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2023: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4
2008: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange
2007: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data
2006: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data
2005: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Rose | Data
2004: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange | Data
2003: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data
2002: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data
2001: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Rose | Data
2000: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange | Data | Encore
1999: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data | Encore
1998: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data | Encore