And then there were two. The Michigan Wolverines will face the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff national championship game. Both teams are coming off thrilling semifinal wins on New Year’s Day. Michigan scored an epic College Football Betting win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. In contrast, the Washington Huskies prevailed over the Texas Longhorns. Both teams have plenty of offense. Although Washington may be the more explosive of the two. However, Michigan has the more dominant defense. Gamblers see this game as close. At the onset, Michigan opened as a 4.5-point favorite.
2023-24 CFP National Championship Game Michigan Wolverines vs. Washington Huskies
| Date and Time: | Monday, January 8, 2024, 7:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington U | +4½ -110 | 55½ -110 | +160 |  |
| Michigan | -4½ -110 | 55½ -110 | -190 | |
| ||||
Michigan Wolverines Team Overview
Last game, the Michigan Wolverines won 27-20 against the Alabama Crimson Tide as 2-point favorites. The game went over the sportsbook total of 45.5. Michigan has a record of 13-0 straight up, 7-5-1 against the spread, and 6-6-1 over/under the total. Michigan ranks 68th for total offense, 75th for passing, 60th for rushing, and 14th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 2nd overall, 2nd against the pass, 6th against the rush, and 6th for points allowed. Also, Michigan ranks 5th for fewest turnovers lost and 6th for takeaways.
Late on, Michigan has been one of the top values on the board in any sport. The Wolverines got the cash in eight of their previous ten games. Just two of those games went under the total.
Namely, Blake Corum has been a touchdown machine all season. And he picked the perfect time to tack on another score. Corum ran for the winning 17-yard touchdown in overtime. Hence, top-seeded Michigan advanced to the College Football Playoff national championship game with an overtime victory over fourth-seeded Alabama on Monday in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Corum rushed for 83 yards and also caught a touchdown pass as Michigan won a CFP contest for the first time. In turn, Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy had the perfect spectator view of the biggest touchdown in recent school history. In sum, McCarthy completed 17 of 27 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns for the Wolverines. His touchdown toss down to Roman Wilson with 1:34 left in regulation forced overtime.
Washington Huskies Team Overview
Last game, the Washington Huskies won 37-31 against the Texas Longhorns as 3.5-point dogs. The game went over the total of 61.5. Washington has a record of 13-0 straight up, 6-6-1 against the spread, and 6-7 over/under the total. Washington ranks 11th for total offense, 1st for passing, 100th for rushing, and 11th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 92nd overall, 122nd against the pass, 41st against the rush, and 50th for points allowed. Also, Washington ranks 71st for fewest turnovers lost and 8th for takeaways.
Second-ranked Washington rode the precision passing of record-breaking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to the lead. And then Washington held on in the final seconds for a win over #3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl to earn a berth in the College Football Playoff final. Now, the Huskies will face No. 1 Michigan in the national championship game. Penix, a Heisman Trophy finalist, passed for 430 yards and two touchdowns. At the same time, Dillon Johnson scored twice on short runs for Washington, which won its 21st straight game. Rome Odunze had 125 yards on six catches. Also, Ja’Lynn Polk added 122 receiving yards and a touchdown on five receptions.
Michigan vs. Washington SBG Free Picks
Certainly, the QB matchup of McCarthy vs. Pennix is one for the ages. And Washington earned respect for their win over Texas. Yet, Michigan has the better defensive advantage. And as the old College Football Betting adage goes, “defense wins championships.”
Michigan vs. Washington SBG Best Bet: Michigan Wolverines.