Paul Finebaum and Greg McElroy noted how different this national championship feels than those in years past.

It doesn’t feel different in a good way. McElroy explained that although there’s some teams that fans aren’t used to seeing in the national championship, the game feels a bit off.

“It’s been kind of a weird vibe around Houston. Granted, part of it is that everyone’s spread out in a big city,” said McElroy on the latest edition of “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning” on WJOX in Birmingham, Alabama. “But it doesn’t feel the same. I thought some new blood would make it feel maybe energetic, but it hasn’t yet.”

Finebaum believes that it has to do with Washington. People may know of Michael Penix Jr., but couldn’t name too many more Washington players. He claimed that most people just want to know where Penix will go in the NFL Draft.

“I think the matchup is part of the issue. I understand from a pure fundamental football standpoint it’s a classic matchup. I think as you get out into the hinterlands or big urban parts of the country it just doesn’t connect,” said Finebaum. “It really has more to do with Washington … they’re a treetop market, as most of the country is. They know Michael Penix Jr. and really all they wanna know about him is where’s he gonna be on draft day.”

The SEC Network host also pointed to how the average fan couldn’t point out Washington coach Kalen DeBoer in a crowd. He further explained his point by noting that Washington isn’t typically talked about among the classic programs in college football.

“You could walk down the streets of Manhattan or Los Angeles and DeBoer could walk down Rodeo Drive, and Cole Cubelic would be more recognized. Nobody knows who this guy is and that’s part of the problem. It doesn’t mean it’s not a great matchup. I think he’s a great coach,” said Finebaum. “I just think as you move across the country there’s the expectation in the big cities. Where’s Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and Ohio State? And who is Washington? I think that’s what people are asking.”

As the season rolls to a close, Washington and Michigan give fans one last taste of college football. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.