Washington Huskies vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview, Odds & Prediction, 1–08–2024

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4 min readJan 3, 2024

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Washington Huskies (14–0) vs. Michigan Wolverines (14–0)

The class of the Pac 12 meets the top team in the Big 10 with everything on the line as Michigan and its №2 ranked passing defense lines up against Washington and its №1 ranked passing attack in the College Football Playoff national championship game. Big Ten champion Michigan overpowered SEC champion Alabama in a thrilling overtime Rose Bowl victory after a landmark goal line stand on defense, while Pac-12 champion Washington edged out Texas in the Sugar Bowl semifinal. Let’s preview this game below and pick a national champion.

Washington vs. Michigan Game Info

Date: Monday, January 8, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Spread: Washington +4.5, Michigan -4.5
Moneyline: Washington +162, Michigan -196
Total: 55.5

Washington Betting Preview

The Washington Huskies may be one of the most underrated teams in recent history despite an unblemished record to date. The Huskies were +3.5 point dogs to Texas and pulled off a 37–31 victory to punch their ticket to the national championship. Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. completed 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Huskies offense which averaged 37.7 PPG and the #1 rated passing offense which averages 344 yards per game. Penix isn’t the only electrifying player, RB Dillon Johnson rushed for 49 yards on 21 carries and found the end zone twice. WR Rome Odunze contributed 125 receiving yards for the Huskies, who rolled up 532 yards of total offense. Defense will be key in this matchup and on the season the Huskies allowed 23.6 PPG but they have given up 31 points twice in their last two games. Dominique Hampton and Bralen Trice will need to lead this defense against a very tough, physical Michigan team.

Michigan Betting Preview

Michigan proved they are never out of a ball game in their 27–20 come from behind, overtime win over Alabama on Sunday. The Michigan Wolverines have beaten three straight-ranked teams in Ohio State, Iowa, and Alabama. Michigan looks for its first undefeated season since 1997 when it won the national championship. QB J.J. McCarthy leads the offense which averages 36.7 PPG which includes 162 rushing yards per game. This offense ticks when the ground game is in control and there are few better running backs in the country better than Blake Corum who rushed for 1,111 yards and 25 touchdowns. However, this team can air it out too led by Roman Wilson and Colston Loveland who have combined for 1,320 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Defensively, this is where this team shines as Michigan is allowing 9.5 points per game which ranks #1 in the country, and just 239 total yards per game which ranks #2 in the country. This will be by far the toughest test for this Washington offense.

Free College Football National Championship Pick

I’m excited for this matchup with two of the top teams in college football all season. It will be tough to out-physical this Michigan team as they have the edge on both the offensive and defensive lines. The Wolverines will try to play bully ball and grind the clock picking up chunk yards. The Huskies have an incredibly explosive offense and Michael Penix Jr. will be throwing to NFL-caliber receivers will big play abilities. Will the Huskies’ defense be able to stop the Michigan rushing attack? Will the Michigan defense be able to slow down this high-performance Huskies offense? In my opinion, good quarterbacks usually find a way to win and the best player on the field will be Michael Penix Jr. I think that Michigan is the better team, and besides Ohio State and Alabama, the Wolverines were not challenged this season. I think Washington will give them everything they have and it will be a closely contested football game. I don’t think the Michigan defense can completely shut down this Huskies team and their playmakers will make plays. Washington will do just enough to keep this close which is why I have to take the +4.5 points in this matchup.