The winner of the Rose Bowl is going to win the national championship

The 2024 version of the 'Grandaddy of 'em All' will be one of the best matchups to date. No. 1 Michigan will play No. 4 Alabama in what could be the game of the year as the Wolverines are still fighting for respect and Nick Saban's team has garnered plenty of doubt.

This may actually be the first time in recent memory that people have doubted Saban. His Crimson Tide barely snuck into the playoff as the 4-seed after beating No. 1 Georgia in the SEC title game.

Michigan, on the other hand, has had to deal with some (self-inflicted) adversity this season and yet Jim Harbaugh is still coaching for a spot in the national title game as the 1-seed. That says something about how good this team truly is.

And now we're looking at the two best teams in college football right now playing in the Rose Bowl. Yes, Alabama is probably the hottest team in the country and the second-best team overall just after Michigan which has been the most consistent team. Alabama may be on fire, but Michigan has been on fire. Something's got to give on Monday.

This is going to be one of the best games of the season and there's no doubt in my mind that the winner of this one will be winning the national title.

No disrespect to Washington or Texas, but I just don't see either of them stopping a Michigan team that beat Alabama to finally get to its first title game this century nor do I see Nick Saban losing to either if he beats the No. 1 seed in the semifinal.

Sorry, Washington and Texas, but you're playing for second place this year.