Key Michigan & Washington Players Not Playing in the National Championship

Wolverines fans are gearing up for the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game, which will have No. 1 Michigan going up against No. 2 Washington. The game takes place at NRG Stadium in Houston at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday (Jan. 8) and will air on ESPN and the ESPN App. But, not everyone will be on the field for this game. Here are some key Michigan and Washington players not playing in the National Championship.

If you're wondering why some players won't be participating, it's mainly for two reasons. For one, some of these players are injured. The other reason is that some players who want to declare for the NFL or play for a different university next season don't want to risk getting injured in this final game. In a NIL reality, these players could forgo some big bucks if they were to get injured, too. Here are the players not playing in the National Championship game, via Covers.com.

Michigan Wolverines

Two big players that are out for Michigan are offensive lineman Zak Zinter and wide receiver Karmello English. Zinter, a senior, suffered a broken tibia and fibula during the Wolverines' last game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Sadly, he'll be out. But, he's appearing in the 2024 NFL draft, so stay tuned. English, a freshman, is dealing with an undisclosed injury. The last game he played with the Wolverines was Oct. 14 against the Indiana Hoosiers. Other guys also out for the Wolverines include Logan Forbes, CJ Stokes and Davis Warren.

Washington Huskies

Some players out for the Huskies are offensive guard Gaard Memmelaar and running back Cameron Davis. Memmelaar, a sophomore, has been out all season. He reportedly was injured during fall practice. Davis, a junior, is out due to a lower body injury, which he suffered during a practice. He did play in Washington's game against Washington State but won't play the championship game. Others out for Washington include Dillon Johnson and Sam Adams II.

Football fans are gearing up for the upcoming NFL season. Some fans are so passionate that their enthusiasm borders on religious fervor. And yes, they pray for their team.  Beyond their prayers, they also have some superstitions. You know the types. They go bare chested in zero degree weather and paint themselves in their favorite team's colors. Or their mood for the week depends on if their team won or lost.

There are fans and then there devout believers.  Those are the ones who get a bit too superstitious.

You know that person who stays in the same spot throughout an entire game, and when their team gives up possession they change positions? That's who we're talking about. So, when things are going well, they're practically immobile. They won't step away for food or even use the bathroom. Why? Because they can’t risk "messing up the flow." On the other hand, if things are not going as planned, they might wander around the living room persistently in search of a lucky seat where good things could potentially happen. Of course, for some fans, their ritualistic and superstitious behaviors might just be traditions, regardless of whether their team comes out on top or experiences a loss.

From wearing a specific jersey to eating a particular snack, these rituals are believed to bring luck and influence the game. For instance, some fans might have a lucky pre-game routine. Kike wearing mismatched socks or doing a little victory dance before kickoff. Even food choices play a role, with some fans only eating certain foods while watching the game. For instance nachos or chicken wings, believing that deviating from this menu might lead to bad luck. It's these quirky and often amusing superstitions that add an extra layer of excitement to the football fan experience.

Take a look at a few of these superstition-filled traditions that football fans have been sharing on Reddit.

For some fans, the belief in "jersey power" is real, relying on their chosen jersey to bring their team to victory. A Reddit user revealed, "I change jerseys every game. Never wear the same one twice in a row." They mentioned that during one season, the Jaguars secured a 3-1 record when following this practice, but experienced a 0-12 record when they didn't.

Some fans unquestionably take their rituals to the extreme. During Vince Young's playing days, a Redditor mentioned that they used to perform a rather unconventional practice of burning a photo of the player. They would attach a picture of his face to a Barbie doll and place it on the grill as part of their ritual.

This particular approach might come across as a bit harsh, yet it seems to show results for this person. Apparently, ignoring their wife and kid during the game is their strategy. "I know it's weird and the results haven't been great, but I'm not going to risk it," they wrote. Priorities, dude!

Some say that dissecting your superstitions like a science can work wonders. A Reddit user shared their approach, saying that if, for some reason, they tune into the game late and the Ravens are in the lead, they turn the game off. "Watching will only swing the game in the opposite direction. It's like the Heisenberg Principle of quantum football mechanics. Intense observation will only change the outcome," they humorously explained. That's dedication!

Having a lucky seat or a designated sweet spot to park yourself during every football game is a ritual many fans swear by. According to one person, during game days, they make a point to occupy the exact same barstool. They mentioned, "Everyone has assigned seats at the bar."

Some hardcore football fans throw hygiene to the wind. A Reddit user opened up about their peculiar belief. If they don't shower right before the game, they're convinced the Eagles will end up on the losing side. They added, "Sometimes if we had a crappy first half, I'll take another shower, for a fresh start."

Luck can take some interesting forms, like the practice of counting things a specific number of times. A person mentioned that on game days, they apply three strokes of deodorant per armpit in support of Russell Wilson. Some people are all about the idea that stuff tends to go down in threes.