Michigan and Washington Fans Fired Up for College Football Playoff Game in Houston

Houston, we have a College Football Playoff National Championship Game! Although many Houstonians were disappointed by UT Austin’s tough loss vs. U of Washington last weekend, the national championship game taking place at NRG this Monday evening means lots of excitement for our city. 

This week, the college football world will have their eyes on Houston. Millions will tune in Mon., Jan. 8 to watch the University of Michigan Wolverines and University of Washington Huskies battle it out at NRG Stadium for the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship. Both teams were unbeaten this season with 14-0 win/loss records.  

Get ready to see lots of purple and gold W's and maize and blue M's around Houston this weekend as fans of the University of Washington Huskies (purple and white) and the University of Michigan Wolverines (blue and gold) pour into H-town sporting their team colors. The two universities will face each other in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship at NRG stadium on Monday night, with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

Neither team has won a national title in over two decades so both sides are especially fired up. Michigan’s last was in 1997 when they beat the Washington State Cougars in the Rose Bowl and Washington’s was in 1991, when the Huskies defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Who will be the big winner in 2024?

Fans from both universities took a momentary break from cheering to share their love and excitement with The Buzz! 

Michigan Wolverines

Megan Frankel and her mom, Shari, were all smiles at the 2024 Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, Calif.

Megan Frankel, a 2020 graduate of The Kinkaid School, is currently a senior at the University of Michigan. Megan was lucky enough to attend the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on New Year’s Day with her mom, Shari, younger sister, Sophia, and her aunt, and they were able to celebrate the Wolverines’ big overtime win against the University of Alabama to advance to the national playoff game. 

“The past three years of watching Michigan football at the Big House (with zero losses at home) and being at the Rose Bowl have been amazing. It is so exciting that the championship game is at home, and I can’t wait to go to the game. Go blue!” 

Megan is looking forward to a college friend flying in from Connecticut to join her in rooting on Michigan at the game.

Sylvia, Lauren, and Charles Dauber at the Purdue game outside the Big House (the UMich football stadium) during 2023 Parents Weekend.

Lauren Dauber is an Emery/Weiner graduate (2022) and a current sophomore at the University of Michigan. For Lauren, being a Wolverine fan is a family affair. Her grandparents, Arthur and Joyce Dauber, are alumni and her cousin, David Anapolsky, is a current freshman. 

“It is so exciting to have Michigan going to the football finals! I can’t wait to go to the game and cheer on the Wolverines with my grandfather, Arthur Dauber, a UMich alum.”

Lisa Friedlander having a great time cheering on the Wolverines during her college days.  

2014 Michigan grad Lisa Friedlander, also a graduate of Emery, knew she wanted to get away for four years of college. “I was looking for a big, sports-oriented and spirited school. Michigan fit those criteria perfectly! Nearly 10 years later, I can’t believe I get to watch my favorite team play in the National Championship in my hometown! I can’t wait to teach my son, Jack, all about being a Michigan fan! Go Blue!”

Barbara and Chuck Hale enjoying the great view from seats in the Alumni Association Boxes at a Michigan game.

Barbara Hale earned her MBA from the University of Michigan and her husband, Chuck, earned his Mechanical Engineering degree from UM. Over the years, in addition to games in Ann Arbor at the Michigan stadium - fondly known to as “The Big House,” the West U family has also followed the team to the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Alamo Bowl, and Orange Bowl. 

Barbara shared, “Chuck says ‘Go Blue’ - the universal greeting for all Michigan fans. And I will say another widely-used slogan: ‘It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine’ - especially true when Michigan is playing for the National Championship at NRG!” 

Washington Huskies

University of Washington alumni Warren Wilder and his wife Liz love going to Husky games. 

Warren Wilder and his wife, Liz, are avid longtime Washington fans and friends with Michigan fans, Chuck and Barbara Hale. Warren said, “In 1978, I was with a huge pack of Husky fans who drove 1100 miles from Seattle to Pasadena to watch Washington beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl. I never let Chuck Hale forget that Washington win!”

Warren added, “The Huskies had a perfect season, and I’ll be cheering for one final victory over our archrival this Monday in Houston. Go Dawgs!”

Houstonian Amy Wildt is a Seattle native and Husky fan. “Even before we knew who would be playing in the championship game, we got two tickets for the game from my brother-in-law. I told my husband Shaun if the Huskies are in it, you have to take your wife! I grew up in Seattle and we have one daughter who lives there and another who has applied to the University of Washington. I love watching football and I can't wait to root for my ‘home’ team, U-Dub!” 

Jack, Michael, Beth, and Bob Laux having a good time at a Huskies game.

Washington alumni Michael and Beth Laux keep busy with three kids but always have time to root for their favorite team. “We are hopeful that Washington can win it all.” Michael’s dad, Bob, is hoping Washington pulls it off since his son and daughter-in-law went there. Also, “because he is a Michigan State alum and Spartans tend to root for whoever is playing against their rival, the University of Michigan Wolverines!”

No matter if you are on Team Washington or Team Michigan, all college football fans can agree that it will be a good game and fun to see who remains undefeated for the entire 2023-24 football season. And lucky for those of us that live in Houston to have all the excitement in our own backyard and have our great city showcased across the country on national television. That’s something we can all cheer about!  

College Football Playoff National Championship Game Event Schedule 

Jack Friedlander is an adorable fan-in-training in his Michigan jersey.

Kickoff for the game is 6:30 p.m. and it will be aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN.com, ESPN+ and the ESPN app.

Maybe your favorite team did not make it to the big game, or you cannot get tickets to the nearly sold-out event. (As of this writing, the lowest price on resale ticket sites was $900 with the highest price for 50-yard line tickets currently listed for $28,000 each). The good news is that there are still other events open to the public leading up to the main event game on Monday. Most are family-friendly and free. Hit the town and have some fun while the adventure is in Houston. This is the first time Houston has hosted the National playoffs. 

George R. Brown Convention Center will be the location for the free interactive Fan Playoff Central. (Photo courtesy of Harris County - Houston Sports Authority)

Playoff Fan Central 
George R. Brown Convention Center 
Fri., Jan. 5, 12-6 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun., Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 
This free interactive experience gives football fans of all ages the excitement of the College Football Playoff National Championship. It features games, clinics, pep rallies, band performances, special guest appearances, autograph signings, and exhibits celebrating college football and its history.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will bring a weekend of free music to Houston, serving as the soundtrack for the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship. (Photo courtesy of Harris County - Houston Sports Authority)

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live Stage!  
Shell Energy Stadium
Fri.-Sun., doors open at 6 p.m. each night. 
AT&T Playoff Playlist Live Stage! features a weekend of free concerts. The stadium has an open roof, but concerts will happen rain or shine. Coordinators suggest bringing rain ponchos if needed.
Lineup: 
Fri., Jan. 5: The #1 music brand for kids, KIDZ BOP. 
Sat., Jan. 6: Six-time Grammy-nominated rapper Jack Harlow, BET’s 2023 Best Female Hip Hop Artist Latto joined by 2 Chainz, and Paul Russell
Sun., Jan. 7: Country Music Awards winning artist and Grand Ole Opry member, Jon Pardi, 10-time chart-topping country superstar Jake Owen, and multi-platinum artist-songwriter, Megan Moroney. 
Pre-register for concert tickets on the CFBPlayoff mobile app. Download the CFBPlayoff Mobile App - College Football Playoff to receive a concert QR code. Then, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the day of the concert, fans can show their concert QR code at the George R. Brown Convention Center to receive a wristband, which will serve as their ticket guaranteeing entry into the concert. Find more information here. *Wristbands are not required for the KIDZ BOP concert on Friday, Jan. 5. Simply register on the CFBPlayoff mobile app and head to Shell Energy Stadium and entry to this performance will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The College Football Playoff 2024 Trophy Trot presented by Houston Methodist is a family-friendly run/walk hosted in conjunction with the College Football Playoff national championship. Proceeds benefit Extra Yard for Teachers as well as Houston Loves Teachers. (Photo courtesy of Harris County - Houston Sports Authority) 

Trophy Trot 5K and 10K Presented by Houston Methodist
George R. Brown Convention Center 
Sun., Jan. 7, 9 a.m.
The College Football Playoff 2024 Trophy Trot presented by Houston Methodist is a family-friendly run/walk hosted in conjunction with the College Football Playoff national championship. The Trot takes place Sunday, 9 a.m., starting at George R. Brown Convention Center. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a t-shirt and medal, and there will be an opportunity for participants to win tickets to the CFP National Championship. There is an option to run the 5K ($45) and 10K ($55). Proceeds from the Trot benefit Extra Yard for Teachers as well as Houston Loves Teachers. Registration for the Trophy Trot is open here. 

Discovery Green Watch Party - College Football Championship 
Mon., Jan. 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
If you can’t be at NRG, watch the game in the heart of downtown Houston with a free watch party at Discovery Green. 

Find additional information on the College Football Playoff and events leading up to the game here.