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Washington vs. Michigan Odds, Spread, Over/Under, Moneyline - College Football National Championship Game Odds

Moneyline: Washington Huskies +165, Michigan Wolverines -200
Spread: Washington +4.5 (-110), Michigan -4.5 (-110)
Total: Over/Under 55.5 points

College Football National Championship – Game info - Washington vs Michigan College Football Season 2023
Washington (14-0) vs. Michigan (14-0)
Date: Monday, Jan. 8, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: FuboTV
Live Radio: ESPN Radio

We have made it to the showcase game of the college football season. Last Monday’s semifinals gave us a spectacular football doubleheader, and the two teams that emerged are both worthy of the big stage in Houston.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines finally got their big playoff win and now have a shot at their first national championship since 1997. Meanwhile, the Washington Huskies, coached by Kalen DeBoer, are a team of underdogs that just keeps winning. DeBoer has worked wonders since coming to Washington last season -- taking the Huskies from a 4-8 record in 2021 to an unbeaten 14-0 just two years later.

Washington was a nine-point underdog in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Oregon and a four-point underdog in Monday’s Sugar Bowl game against Texas, but the Huskies managed to win both times. UW will be the underdog yet again against Michigan on Monday, but don’t underestimate this talented team!

Washington vs. Michigan Preview

The semifinals of the 2023 NCAAF season came as close to viewing perfection as any fan could hope to witness. We saw come-from-behind overtime drama in the Rose Bowl, followed by a stunning air-raid attack in a Sugar Bowl that also featured some last-second drama. Surely, this means we are in for a home run of a championship game, doesn’t it?

There will certainly be no shortage of talent on the field Monday night in Houston. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. both stepped up on the big stage in the semifinals and posted impressive numbers against two loaded defenses.

McCarthy played well, but the star of Monday night was surely Penix. The Huskies quarterback was in blistering form, scorching the Texas Longhorns’ secondary for 430 yards and two touchdowns. Of course, all the usual suspects popped up in Washington’s receiving game, as wide receivers Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk each caught passes for more than 100 yards -- with Polk scoring a touchdown.

There were four other Huskies pass-catchers with at least three receptions, which reflects the performance of an offense that appeared to be unstoppable whenever Penix dropped back to pass. The star quarterback threw nine passes of more than 15 yards and set the tone with a 77-yard pass to Polk that led to a touchdown on the Huskies' first drive of the game.

Penix delivered above expectations on everything he was asked to do -- firing darts between defenders, floating perfectly-placed deep sideline passes, and navigating around the Longhorns' pass rush. It was a stellar performance that likely earned him a higher spot on at least a few NFL teams’ 2024 draft boards.

It was a generally flawless performance from Penix, and he will have to be at his best again on Monday night. Michigan’s defense is arguably the best in the country and has limited opposing offenses to just 244 yards per game this season -- which is the best mark in college football.

The Wolverines were all over Alabama in the first half of the Rose Bowl, finishing the game with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The dominant defensive display saw Michigan limit quarterback Jalen Milroe and the Alabama offense to just three third-down conversions in 13 attempts.

Only one team (Ohio State) has given up fewer passing yards per game than Michigan this season, and the Wolverines have held rival QBs to a completion percentage of just 55.65 percent – the lowest percentage in college football. Monday night represents a real strength-on-strength matchup, and it will be fascinating to see which team comes out on top.

The Rose Bowl victory was massive for Michigan, since there was no hiding the fact that many people were starting to doubt whether head coach Jim Harbaugh could get it done on the big stage. This year, he has answered the critics by defeating Ohio State in the regular season and beating legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban in the playoffs. Washington has been one of college football’s best stories in the 2023 season, but Harbaugh will definitely like his chances against the Huskies.

McCarthy proved what a capable quarterback he is last week against the Crimson Tide by completing 17 of 27 pass attempts for 221 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also added a very useful 25 rushing yards and held his nerve on a crucial fourth down in the fourth quarter. On a play from his own 30-yard line with three minutes left on the clock, McCarthy got the ball to a wide-open Blake Corum, who burst up the sidelines to keep the Wolverines in the game.

It was no surprise that Corum, the team’s primary running back, was a key factor in the victory. In addition to making that crucial fourth-down play, Corum rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown, while adding 35 yards and another score as a receiver. Washington’s rush defense allows an average of 4.4 yards per carry this year, which ranks only 82nd in the country. Corum has been the star of Michigan’s season with 26 total touchdowns, and he figures to be a key factor yet again on Monday night.

McCarthy has also had a good year -- completing 73 percent of his passes for 2,851 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. His efficiency and excellent ball protection helped Michigan become one of the best offenses in the college game, and he gets a favorable matchup on Monday night to wrap up what is already the best season of his career. The Washington Huskies are ranked way down at 121st in the nation when it comes to passing yards conceded. They are yielding a generous average of 267 yards per game, giving Michigan an edge both on the ground and through the air.

Michigan wide receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson have each recorded more than 500 receiving yards this season, and they are joined by another 500-yard pass-catcher in tight end Colston Loveland. Between this trio and the 26-touchdown man Corum, the Huskies will be sure to have their hands full on Monday night.

Washington vs. Michigan Prediction and Pick

What a fantastic game this is likely to be. The defensive power and offensive efficiency of Michigan go up against Washington’s extravagant aerial attack, which is dripping with speed and flair. It should be a very exciting game no matter what, but I will be giving the edge to Michigan here.

Washington’s biggest asset is its passing attack, but the Huskies will be facing the one college team that is arguably best equipped to stop it. Huskies running back Dillon Johnson suffered an injury last Monday that could keep him out of the championship game, although he is expected to play. If he is unable to go, it would be a big blow to the Washington ground game. On the other side of the ball, Michigan shouldn’t have too many issues moving up the field, so I will be taking them to cover.

The Pick: Michigan Wolverines -4.5 (-110)

We have to bet the over in this game. Although I think the Wolverines match up well against the Huskies’ offensive game plan, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. and Co. are certainly talented enough to put up some points. Penix was electric against Texas, passing with ease to all parts of the field.

Washington is much weaker on the defensive side of the ball, which I think presents another great matchup for Michigan. Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy has a talented group of receivers to aim at, and, of course, the very impressive Blake Corum lining up alongside him in the backfield. Both teams should put up points in this one, which means we can cheer for the over.

The Pick: Washington vs Michigan over 56.5 Points (-110)

Best College Football Same-Game Parlay Picks today for Washington vs Michigan: 2-Leg Parlay Pick (+245)

Leg-1 SGP Pick: Michigan Wolverines -4.5 (-110)

Leg-2 SGP Pick: Washington vs Michigan over 56.5 Points (-110)

Odds are subject to change*

CFB SGP @(+245): (Bet $100 to Win $345)

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