CFP National Championship Game: Washington vs. Michigan odds, picks and predictions
The Washington Huskies (14-0) and Michigan Wolverines (14-0) meet Monday in the CFP National Championship Game. Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Washington vs. Michigan odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The No. 2 Huskies outlasted the Texas Longhorns 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, covering as 3.5-point underdogs with the Over (61.5) connecting. Washington also covered in the Pac-12 title game against Oregon, winning 34-31 as a 9.5-point underdog in Las Vegas, giving it consecutive covers for the first time since Sept. 16-23.
The No. 1 Wolverines posted a 27-20 OT win against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl, covering as 2-point favorites with the Over (45.5) cashing. Michigan has cashed in 3 in a row, including the past 2 on a neutral field. The Rose Bowl went to OT, allowing the Over to hit. Michigan is 7-6-1 O/U on the season but 3-1 in the last 4 outings, and 7-2-1 in the last 10.
Michigan leads the all-time series 8-5, including wins in the past 2 meetings, both in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines and Huskies have met in the postseason 4 times -- all Rose Bowls -- with each claiming 2 victories. Washington last beat Michigan Sept. 8, 2001, in Seattle 23-18.
Rankings courtesy of the US LBM Coaches Poll
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Washington vs. Michigan odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 6:01 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Washington +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Michigan -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Washington +4.5 (-115) | Michigan -4.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Washington vs. Michigan picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan 29, Washington 25
Moneyline
Michigan (-190) will cost nearly 2 times the potential return. That's quite a bit of a risk with not much reward. The difference in this game will be defense, although Washington might present the biggest challenge of the season for the Wolverines D to date ... and that includes the Ohio State game.
AVOID and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
Roll with WASHINGTON +4.5 (-115) to keep things close, thanks to the exploits of QB Michael Penix Jr. The Huskies offense is good for 37.6 points per game (11th in the nation), while ranking No. 1 in the country with 350.0 passing yards per contest.
However, the Huskies have allowed 267.1 passing yards per game (120th), which will be the biggest difference in this game. Washington's D has struggled, allowing 24.1 PPG (53rd). The Michigan defense has allowed just 10.2 PPG to rank No. 1 in the country, while checking in 2nd in both total yards (244.5) and passing yards (150.0) allowed per game, according to covers.com.
Penix and the Huskies offense should be able to do much better than the averages the Wolverines allow, but Washington's leaky pass defense will be the reason the Huskies won't be raising the glass egg.
Over/Under
UNDER 56.5 (-110) IS THE LEAN, but a HALF-UNIT PLAY at most is warranted.
We are going to have a tug-of-war in this game as Washington has a high-octane offense and a struggling pass defense. Michigan has a so-so offense, and a suffocating defense.
Look for the Wolverines D to stand out, doing enough to contain Penix.
Plus, Washington has allowed 31 points in each of the past 2 games, and 28 or more points in 5 of the past 7 outings overall.
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