Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy set for National Championship rematch

The 2024 College Football National Championship game between the Washington Huskies and the Michigan Wolverines was one of the more interesting matchups in recent years. The game ended up being a one-sided affair, but it included two of the best quarterback prospects in the NFL Draft that year, and now they are facing off again in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season.

J.J. McCarthy has traded in his Michigan Wolverine uniform for a Minnesota Vikings one, while Michael Penix Jr. has swapped his Washington Huskies jersey for an Atlanta Falcons one. While we haven't heard from McCarthy in all of this, we did get to hear from Penix Jr. ahead of Sunday's matchup in primetime.

The Falcons quarterback was asked if the matchup brings back any memories from the national title game, and he gave an honest opinion, saying, "No, it does not. I’m just here to win the football game." Penix added that he did get to know McCarthy during the NFL Draft process and that, "He’s a cool person. Good guy off the field."

Penix Jr. squandered a lead in Week 1 of the 2025 season, compared to McCarthy leading the Vikings on a comeback. Each man has something to prove against the other in Week 2, which makes this a must-watch event for everyone, but especially Vikings fans.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy set for CFB Title Game rematch