College Football Playoff 2016: Week 9 New Year's Six Projections

College Football Playoff 2016: Week 9 New Year’s Six Projections

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) attempts to tackle Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) runs the ball during the first half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Fiesta Bowl: #2 Michigan v. #3 Washington

Jim Harbaugh has restored his alma mater into a national contender. The Wolverines are going to be favored the rest of the way, including against rival Ohio State on the road. No team in the country has a better defense than Michigan, and they are outscoring opponents by an average of five touchdowns per game. They have an ironman Heisman candidate in Jabrill Peppers, the offense has been rejuvenated, and Michigan looks like the best in a deep Big Ten field.

Meanwhile Chris Petersen has returned Washington to prominence on the west coast. The Huskies are currently ranked behind Clemson in both major polls, but the CFP might see fit to move UW ahead of the Tigers in the rankings. Jake Browning is playing his way into Heisman contention for the Huskies, while both the offense and the defense are top-10 units nationally. As long as they win the Pac-12, Washington will have a shot at its first national title since 1991.

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