Michigan Washington championship confidential -- Five storylines to watch - ESPN

HOUSTON — Depending on final NFL draft decisions, Michigan and Washington project to be at or near the top in the total number of players picked.

We dove in on the NFL draft numbers earlier this year for both schools. Scouts wrote up 15 players on trips to Seattle this season, with the Huskies likely to have nearly a dozen players drafted. Scouts estimated Michigan would have 14 players picked, as they wrote up enough guys to reach the high teens.

That's a lot of work for scouts and a testament to the rosters assembled and developed by Kalen DeBoer and Jim Harbaugh.

So who will win when the teams face off Monday night (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN app)? We went back to NFL executives, scouts and some coaches for the singular factor they believe will decide the game.

Here's how they see Monday night unfolding.

According to one veteran NFL scout who has studied both teams, Michigan is the better one overall. In the middle of the season, some scouts suggested the Wolverines might not have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has begun to test that, as he's rising quickly, but his slight frame will keep him out of the highest-end conversations.

The most elite talent is in Michigan's younger classes, as tight end Colston Loveland, defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant and cornerback Will Johnson will be stars of 2025 mock drafts. Conservatively, all project as top-50 picks.

«I think Michigan is the better team all-around,» the veteran scout said. «I think Washington's quarterback is better, and I think the wide receivers are better. Other than that, Michigan has every advantage. As you know, the more dominant quarterback can carry a team. I'll be really curious. It's a great matchup.