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Kirk Herbstreit offers early impressions of national championship matchup

Grant Bricker

By Grant Bricker

Published:

Kirk Herbstreit foresees an exciting national championship game as each team’s storybook season is about to come to a close.

The College GameDay analyst appeared on the latest edition of SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt to share his thoughts on the upcoming showdown with Washington and Michigan. Herbstreit can’t wait to see them throw down on the gridiron.

Herbstreit said he thinks both teams will have extra motivation coming into the game. However, Washington has been doubted all year long and it’s nothing new to the Huskies.

“It’s interesting, when you’re sitting there in August and you’re trying to figure out which teams are gonna possibly make a run. I think both these teams have that proverbial chip on their shoulder,” said Herbstreit. “Washington feels doubted every week because they’re an underdog. If you really talk to them and peel it back, don’t pretend that it’s not a major motivator. You heard the guys on the podium, ‘Here we are, doubted again. What’s new?'”

On the Michigan side, the Wolverines finally reach the national championship after falling short in previous College Football Playoff matchups. Michigan has simply been laser focused on reaching the pinnacle of college football.

“Then, you’ve got this Michigan team with Blake Corum and JJ McCarthy. Just a veteran group that got embarrassed by Georgia, they didn’t quite get it done against TCU,” said Herbstreit. “This time was in autopilot, just focused on winning it all. They beat Ohio State, everybody wanted to talk about it, the players we’re like what’s next. They got ready for Iowa, they won that game, what’s next. They just seemed to have a focus on winning a national championship. How fitting is it that these 2 teams collide?”

It all comes down to this, as Michigan and Washington compete in Houston for the college football crown on Jan. 8.

Grant Bricker

Grant Bricker was a former freelancer for The News TN in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. He now freelances for Saturday Football. Follow on Twitter @GrantBricker.

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