Last week’s College Football Playoff semifinals kicked off 2024 with a bang. Michigan and Alabama faced off in an instant classic at the Rose Bowl, while Washington got past Texas in a Sugar Bowl matchup filled with high-octane offense.
But tonight, the 2023 college football season comes to an end with the season’s best matchups. Whether you’re hoping for the Wolverines to finish the season with a trophy or wishing for the Huskies to eke out one more close win, here’s what you need to know to watch the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
When is the college football national championship game?
Michigan played far from its best ball against Alabama, but the Wolverines leveled up their game when it mattered. Thanks to a fourth-quarter game-tying drive, a Blake Corum touchdown in overtime, and a fourth-down stop, Jim Harbaugh’s club will head to Houston for the chance to win their first national championship since 1997.
Washington fans have had their cardiac health tested by Huskies all season, as Washington won 10 straight games by 10 or fewer points. But if any team deserves the benefit of the doubt, it’s Washington, quarterback Michael Penix Jr., and its playmakers on both sides of the ball.
The CFP national championship game will be on Monday, January 8, at 7:30 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston.
#1 Michigan vs. #2 Washington
vs.
When is the national championship game?
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Date: Monday, January 8
Location: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
Channel: ESPN
What channel is the College Football national championship game on?
ESPN is the home of the College Football Playoff this year. The College Football Playoff national championship game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. ESPN subscribers can also watch on the ESPN mobile app.
ESPN also runs a slate of national championship shows across other ESPN channels as part of its CFB championship MegaCast simulcast event:
CFP national championship ESPN MegaCast schedule
| ESPN channel | Programming |
|---|---|
| ESPN | Main game broadcast (Monday, January 8; 7:30 p.m. ET) |
| ESPN2 | Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show |
| ESPNU | Command Center |
| ESPNEWS | SkyCast (4K) |
| ESPN Radio | National radio broadcast |
| ESPN Deportes | Spanish-language telecast |
| ESPN app | All-22 feed, Michigan/Washington Hometown Radio broadcasts, pregame/halftime marching band shows |
Want vintage Michigan/Washington shirts?
Homefield is an online retailer that offers officially licensed college apparel with vintage designs that draw from the history of more than 150 colleges. Homefield’s Michigan and Washington collections feature original T-shirts, bomber jackets, and more products that highlight major designs and events from each school’s history.
Want these shirts? Click the links below to check out Homefield’s Michigan and Washington collections and use promo code CABLETV to save 15% off your first order:
How can I watch the College Football Playoff national championship game for free?
Want to watch Michigan vs. Washington for free? If you’re already paying for a standard cable TV plan, you’ll be able to watch ESPN and tune into the national championship game for free. Otherwise, you’ll have to sign up for a streaming service to watch or stream Michigan vs. Washington legally.
Services including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and Fubo (which earned our Editor’s Choice award) have ESPN and are available on nearly every streaming device. If you want to stream the college football national championship for free, many of these services also offer free trial periods.
Ready to watch or stream Michigan vs. Washington? Check out our Best Streaming Services for Sports guide for a full breakdown of each service.
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2024 college football national championship preview: Michigan vs. Washington
The 2024 college football season wraps up tonight with a doozy of a matchup between two teams with opposing play styles and equally elite talent. Here are our biggest questions about Michigan vs. Washington and the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Michigan vs. Washington by the stats
| Stat | Michigan | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN FPI | 1st | 12th |
| Passing yards per game | 218.9 (74th) | 350 (1st) |
| Rushing yards per game | 159.5 (62th) | 123.6 (102th) |
| Points scored per game | 36 (14th) | 37.6 (10th) |
| Passing defense | 150 (2nd) | 267.1 (123rd) |
| Rushing defense | 93.1 (9th) | 137 (43rd) |
| Points allowed per game | 10.2 (1st) | 24.1 (53rd) |
Washington’s offense: Dingers! Dingers! Dingers!
Michigan’s offense has methodically crushed opponents all season long under a wave of steady runs, short passes, and timely counters. Washington’s high-flying and pass-heavy offense is decidedly not like that!
Facing a solid Texas team, Penix Jr. responded by torching the Longhorns’ defense and putting up a video game-esque stat line (430 passing yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 76% completion percentage). Receivers Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk each eclipsed 100 receiving yards, while Polk and fellow receiver Jalen McMillan tacked on a touchdown.
For the season, Washington leads the nation in passing yardage and ranks second in explosive passing plays. Odunze and Polk each broke the 1,000-yard mark for the year and ranked 2nd and 18th nationally in receiving yards. Michigan’s defense has been solid all season, but a huge part of the game will depend on their ability to clamp down Washington and Penix Jr.’s deep ball game.
Outstanding pocket movement by Michael Penix Jr. to avoid the pressure. Finds Rome Odunze for a chain mover. pic.twitter.com/REN72eNsGa
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) January 2, 2024
Michigan’s offense: play the game of your life one more time
It’s a testament to Michigan’s grit (and more than a bit of good luck) that they pulled out a win over Alabama despite a pile of offensive and special teams mistakes.
Michigan’s final drives in the Rose Bowl featured the Wolverines’ offense operating at peak efficiency: We saw J.J. McCarthy outrun the defense with his legs, numerous opportunities for running back Blake Corum, and (most importantly) no half-baked trick plays that went nowhere. (We’ll admit that “don’t do all the stupid stuff you did last week” isn’t the most trenchant football analysis, but it’s true! Michigan did a lot of stupid stuff!)
Washington’s defense is a step down from Alabama’s roster, but they still have playmakers like defensive end Bralen Trice. According to Pro Football Focus, Trice leads the nation in pressures, and he racked up five tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble against Texas.
Washington vs. Michigan: some more questions
- Will Michigan finally use more play-action?
- It’s pretty weird that Washington and Michigan are now in the same conference and face off again this October, right?
- Can Washington overperform expectations one more time?
- Should J.J. McCarthy share his meditation playlist with Michigan’s special teams players?
How to watch college football national championship FAQ
What time is the national championship game?
The college football national championship game time will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 8.
Where is the national championship game 2024?
The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game will be at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
What channel is the national championship on?
The college football national championship will air exclusively on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Who is favored in Michigan vs. Washington?
Michigan is currently favored over Washington.
Where can I watch the Michigan vs. Washington game for free?
You can watch the CFP championship game on ESPN. We recommend Fubo because of the streaming service’s wide availability and seven-day free trial.
Eric Chiu is a CableTV.com senior writer who covers internet tech, entertainment, and sports news. He’s written about consumer technology for nearly a decade for outlets including CNN Underscored, Wirecutter, Newsweek Media Group and TopTenReviews/Future. In his free time, he enjoys playing any instrument he can find, rooting for the Michigan Wolverines, and hunting for the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
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