Rick Neuheisel made his College Football Playoff National Championship Game pick between Washington and Michigan on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday. The CBS Sports college football analyst made the call for the Huskies, implying to Patrick that he was well aware of the optics of picking the program he coached for 4 seasons.

“I’m going to go with Washington at my own peril because I still think they’re the most explosive team, and I think it takes some explosivity to win these games,” Neuheisel said.

Neuheisel spotlighted the play of Michael Penix Jr., who finished with 430 yards passing against Texas — just 68 yards fewer than the entire Longhorns offense — as the Huskies held on for a Sugar Bowl victory and a spot in Monday’s national championship game against Michigan.

“This rain-making ability that he has with that left arm is going to be tough to handle,” Neuheisel said.

Washington and Michigan kick off shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday. The Huskies are seeking their 1st national championship since 1991.