2024 CFP Championship preview: Michigan vs. Washington picks
Before they become Big Ten Conference chums, Michigan and Washington have the College Football Playoff National Championship to settle.
The top-seeded Wolverines will play the second-seeded Huskies on Monday night in Houston. Both teams are 14-0.
Below, we have Michigan vs. Washington odds, a preview and betting picks to identify the best bets for Monday’s action. Michigan is a -4.5-point favorite at DraftKings and most sportsbooks.
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2024 CFP National Championship game preview: Michigan vs. Washington odds and picks
- Date: Monday, Jan. 8, 2024
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Channel/Streaming: ESPN, ESPN app
- College Football Playoff Betting Odds: Michigan -4.5
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be the best player on the field, but he'll will face the nation’s top scoring defense in Michigan.
The Wolverines sacked Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe six times in their 27-20 semifinal victory. The Michigan defensive front could be an issue for Penix, who likes to throw the long ball and needs that extra second or so for his receivers to get downfield.
Penix, a sixth-year senior, was the Heisman Trophy runner-up. He completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,648 yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is a more conservative quarterback in a Wolverines offense that features the run. McCarthy’s stats are impressive, just not mind-blowing like Penix’s numbers — 73% completion rate for 2,851 yards and 22 touchdowns with four interceptions.
Michigan relies on running back Blake Corum to move the ball on the ground and set up McCarthy’s passing attack.
Washington has excellent receivers in Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk. Odunze might be the best receiver in the country.
Running back Dillon Johnson was carted off on the Huskies’ final offensive play in their 37-31 semifinal win over Texas. Washington coach Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday that Johnson is expected to play. Even with Johnson (1,162 yards, 16 touchdowns this season), Washington only ranked 100th in the country in rushing yards per game.
So, the championship could be decided in the battle between Penix and Michigan’s pass rush.
Michigan covered in all of its rivalry/important games this season: Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State, the Big Ten Championship Game over Iowa and the Rose Bowl over Alabama.
Michigan is 8-5-1 against the spread. Washington is 7-6-1 against the spread.
College Football Playoff National Championship game pick: Michigan -4.5 (-110 or better)
Too much Michigan defense and enough offense to win. Expect Michigan to run the ball with success, and control the clock.
2024 CFP National Title prop bets: Michigan vs. Washington props for Jan. 8
Betting on the College Football Playoff Championship game offers player and team props.
Blake Corum props — Over 104.5 rushing yards (-115 or better)
Corum averaged 79.3 yards per game this season -- 1,111 yards on 237 carries and a school-record 25 rushing touchdowns. He gained 83 yards on 19 carries against Alabama and scored the winning touchdown in overtime.
Washington ranks 41st against the rush (137.1 yards). This is a weakness Corum and Michigan should exploit. We think Michigan will use its running game early and if the Wolverines play with the lead, Corum will be used throughout.
Rome Odunze props — Over 88.5 receiving yards (-114 or better)
Odunze averaged 111.3 yards per game. He likely will be matched against Michigan’s Will Johnson, who didn’t allow a pass completion in 33 attempts against Alabama, according to PFF College. Still, Odunze is Penix’s favorite receiver (67 catches, 1,553 yards, 13 touchdowns).
To win the game, the Huskies’ passing attack will have to click. And if Michigan gets an early lead, Washington will look to its passing attack even more.
Michigan vs. Washington same-game parlay picks: College Football Playoff SGP bets for Jan. 8 in Houston (+178 or better)
- Michigan ML (-194 or better)
- Under 56.5 total points scored (-110 or better)
Michigan hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in any game this season. The Wolverines lead the nation in scoring defense, allowing 10.2 points per game. Washington is 53rd in scoring defense at 24.1 per game.
Washington’s offense is 10th in the country at 37.6 points per game. Michigan averaged 36 points per game (14th in the country).
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Catena Media provides exclusive sports betting content to FrontPageBets, including picks, analysis, tools and sportsbook offers to help bettors get in on the action. Please wager responsibly.
Chuck Bausman is a contributing writer at Catena Media. His previous experience includes being an executive sports editor for the Philadelphia Daily News.
