The semifinals are in the books, and we have an entire week we’ll need entertainment for to get us to next Monday. So, we followed up our popular ChatGPT simulations of the Rose and Sugar bowls by asking ChatGPT to simulate the 4 quarters of the College Football Playoff Championship game and see who it thinks will win it all based on each teams stats and attributes.

We prompted ChatGPT by feeding it all the team stats and player stats for both teams as well as their records in each game this season (including data from the semifinal games). We did not give anything opinion-based or introduce any bias. The only change we make is ensuring ChatGPT’s math adds up, since it can get confused sometimes 🤓.

1st Quarter

The College Football Playoff Championship kicked off amidst a roaring crowd in Houston, with the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies eager to capitalize on their undefeated seasons. Michigan, with a display of disciplined power, opened with a grinding drive down the field. Blake Corum bulldozed his way through the Huskies’ defense, tallying 40 rushing yards on the opening drive. His efforts were complemented by JJ McCarthy’s pinpoint accuracy, as he meticulously connected with Coleson Loveland for a critical third-down conversion. The Wolverines capped off the drive with a well-executed play-action pass to Roman Wilson for the first touchdown. Washington, not to be outdone, employed a swift, air-raid attack led by Michael Penix Jr. The Huskies swiftly responded with a mix of short passes and a few daring throws, finally reaching the red zone. A game-tying touchdown seemed inevitable, but Michigan’s ‘lights out’ defense muscled up, forcing a field goal. The quarter ended with Michigan narrowly leading 7-3.

2nd Quarter

The second quarter began with the Huskies adjusting their strategy, emphasizing on quick release plays to counter the Wolverines’ pass rush. This approach paid off, as Penix Jr found Odunze over the middle for several critical completions. Momentum built for Washington, culminating in a touchdown connection between Penix Jr and a wide-open receiver in the end zone after a convincing play-action fake, seizing the lead 10-7. Michigan retaliated resiliently, leaning on their run game, with Corum chipping away at a tenacious Huskies’ front seven. The Wolverines’ drive included a daring fourth-down conversion on their own 45-yard line, demonstrating their confidence and 79% efficiency in such do-or-die situations. The drive concluded with a field goal, evening the score at 10-10 as the teams retreated for halftime.

3rd Quarter

The second half commenced with the Wolverines orchestrating a balanced offensive assault. McCarthy showcased his reliability, distributing the ball effectively amongst his receivers, at one point hitting Loveland down the seam for a huge gain. Michigan’s offense was met by stiff resistance as they neared the goal line, but another calculated pass to Wilson in the corner of the end zone allowed the Wolverines to reclaim their lead, 17-10. The Huskies, behind in the score but not in spirit, set out to dismantle Michigan’s defense with a combination of quick slants and screen passes. Penix Jr lifted his team, launching a deep ball to Odunze, who managed a spectacular catch over two defenders. This play set up a short plunge into the end zone by Johnson, tying the game again at 17-17.

Fourth Quarter

With the championship on the line, both teams entered the fourth quarter with intensified resolve. Michigan’s defense, praised for its ability to pressure the QB, lived up to its reputation; yielding no quarter, they forced a crucial turnover on a strip-sack that was recovered deep in Huskies’ territory. The Wolverines capitalized with a short touchdown run by Corum, pushing ahead 24-17. As the clock dwindled, the Huskies faced increasing pressure. Penix Jr, however, stayed cool under fire, delivering a magnificent drive that showcased his arm strength and accuracy. His Heisman-worthy performance was highlighted by a high-stakes touchdown toss to a leaping Odunze in the back of the end zone, knotting the score at 24-24.

In a nail-biting finale, with mere seconds remaining, McCarthy orchestrated a final, calculated push downfield. Michigan’s special teams, once a point of weakness, got a chance at redemption. With the crowd holding its breath, a 35-yard field goal attempt sailed through the uprights, bringing the Wolverines to a heart-stopping 27-24 victory.

Final - Michigan 27, Washington 24

Final Thought: The 2024 College Football Playoff Championship game was a battle for the ages, with the result in doubt until the last tick of the clock. The Michigan Wolverines’ combination of a punishing run game and a defense that delivered when it mattered most proved just enough to edge out the Washington Huskies’ high-flying passing attack. The Huskies’ valiant effort reminded everyone why they were in the championship, but on this day, it was Michigan’s resilience and timely execution that led them to the pinnacle of college football.