None of the possible outcomes would surprise me, and so I won't be however it shakes out. I think all 4 of these teams have avenues to beating the other 3.
For Bama/Michigan, Bama's back end just quieted a plethora of much more dangerous weapons in UGA than Michigan possesses. I don't think Michigan can line up and play bully-ball with Alabama, so McCarthy would have to show more than I've seen, and the WRs as well. Bama probably can't just pound away at Michigan either, but Milroe figuring out he's actually a great runner is terrible news for their opponents. I feel like if Alabama/Milroe can just hit a handful of plays for good gains down the field they will have an edge, and I believe Milroe, for all his flaws, has shown he can do that. Plus Alabama has cfb's highest scoring player in history in PK Will Reichard. Granted I don't know much about Michigan's FG kicker, but I'd have to think Reichard gets the edge there.
For Texas/Washington, both of them have the firepower to hurt each other down the field. Worthy and Odunze are two of the best wide receivers in the game, both are likely to have several big moments, and the teams' outside weapons don't end with just that top guy. I probably trust Penix a little more from a consistency standpoint, but not exactly a lot...he did have some dropoff down the stretch of the season, and Ewers has been more even-keel this year than last. The reason I give Texas the edge is I believe the Longhorns can run on the Huskies some and will when they have to have it. The Huskies proved a lot of people wrong in how strong and physical they are up front, but the Texas D-line is a far different animal than Oregon, and I don't think they're going to have much success there. I think Texas just has more ways to win and control the clock, so I go with them.
If Texas advances, I think they're the most balanced/complete all-around team, so I pick them over either Michigan or Alabama. But again, it won't surprise me in the least if none of the games go like I think.
People here could accuse me of being a Texas homer and as elsewhere noted, I can see why some might think that. But I'm really not. I call it like I see it, and I've been generally on target with them. I scoffed in the years people said Texas was "back" because I didn't see it, and it usually panned out that way. I lost zero sleep in the years Texas sucked, and I had no excitement in years they showed signs of elevating themselves. This Texas team is simply different/better than any team since the prime Mack Brown days, and thus, I continue to call it like I see it. When they play their best, I'd favor them against anybody. Though I think it will be Alabama again.
