Three reasons why Washington can win the CFP championship game

Michigan and Washington meet in the College Football Playoff championship game on Monday night. Per Action Network, the Huskies are a 4.5-point underdog seeking their first national title since the 1991 season.

Here are three reasons why Washington (14-0) can beat Michigan (14-0) in a battle of unbeatens.

1. Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line nullifies Michigan's pass rush

The Wolverines set the tone early in their 27-20 overtime win over Alabama. edge rushers Braiden McGregor and Josaiah Stewart sacked Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe on 'Bama's opening drive, and Michigan finished the game with six sacks, including five in the first half. However, if any team knows how to avoid sacks, it's Washington. Only three teams allowed fewer sacks than the Huskies this season. 

The offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for Division I football's most outstanding offensive line unit, and they held the Longhorns to 10 total pressures and no sacks in the Sugar Bowl. Per Pro Football Focus, 11 Michigan defenders had at least one pressure in Michigan's overtime Rose Bowl win. The Wolverines did an excellent job of confusing Bama's pass blockers by disguising their pass rush and must use their cavalry of pass rushers to overwhelm the Huskies up front.

2. Edge rusher Bralen Trice wreaks havoc

Washington is tied for 104th in the country in sacks with only 21 on the season. However, that isn't a reflection of Trice, who is credited with 77 total pressures, including eight sacks, by PFF. He had seven of the Huskies' 14 pressures against the Longhorns. Trice must get through against a Wolverines offensive line that didn't allow a sack against the Tide. Look for Washington to attempt to exploit Michigan's potential weakness at left tackle. LaDarius Henderson allowed five of 'Bama's 10 total pressures in the Rose Bowl and also allowed a team-high eight pressures in the Big Ten championship game against Iowa.

3. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is the best player on the field

The Heisman runner-up made multiple outstanding throws against Texas, including several while under duress. Penix has excellent footwork and doesn't panic while under pressure. Here's one of his more underrated throws against Texas, when Longhorns junior defensive lineman Byron Murphy II won his double-team against Huskies redshirt-freshman center Parker Brailsford and junior right guard Julius Buelow, but Penix Jr. evaded the pass rush, set his feet and delivered a strike over the middle of the field to Odunze for a 24-yard gain.