CFP National Championship player prop odds: Three best bets for Michigan vs. Washington

Akron Beacon Journal
 
CFP National Championship player prop odds: Three best bets for Michigan vs. Washington

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Michigan and Washington close out the 2023 season on Monday, and we’ve identified three National Championship player prop bets that stick out among the wide variety of wagering options.

The Michael Penix Jr. to Rome Odunze connection has been special this season. Odunze’s 1,553 yards are the second most in FBS, and he ranks second all-time in receiving yards in Washington history.

Texas knew Rome was Penix’s main target in the Sugar Bowl, and he still led the team with six receptions and 125 yards. The Las Vegas native is speedy and at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, can play with physicality, and reel in deep throws.

However, Penix’s unreal accuracy often takes defenders out of the play, giving Odunze relatively easy receptions.

There’s no doubt that limiting Odunze is at the top of Michigan’s defensive checklist. But if Penix distributes the ball as he did in the Sugar Bowl, the Wolverines will be forced to spread its defenders across the field.

Six receivers caught three or more passes for Washington in its 37-31 defeat of Texas.

If you’re seeking value in a Blake Corum touchdown scorer prop, you’ll have to go with either Corum to open the scoring (+340) or 2+ touchdowns. The two-year starter is a whopping -320 to score at any point in the National Championship.

Corum had a tough time finding his groove in the Rose Bowl vs. Alabama. On 19 carries, Blake scampered for 83 yards and a score. It wasn’t until overtime that Corum found his footing, needing only two plays to go 25 yards and give Michigan the game-winning touchdown.

Big Blue should have a much easier time moving the ball on the ground against Washington. The Huskies rank in the bottom half of the Pac-12 in rushing defense, surrendering 4.3 yards a pop and 134 yards per game.

Michigan’s offensive line is as physical as any group of blockers in the nation, and there’s little doubt Corum will get prime opportunities to cross the goal line.

Washington’s RB1 had a spectacular start to the season and only got hotter as the year went on. Dillon Johnson’s 16 touchdowns are tied for the sixth-most in FBS, and he scored 11 times in the past seven games.

Johnson’s production was limited in the Sugar Bowl due to a nagging leg injury, as he ran for just 49 yards on 21 carries. But the Mississippi State transfer remains a threat in the red zone, scoring twice vs. Texas.

Johnson re-aggravated his injury at the end of the CFP semifinal, but head coach Kalen DeBoer expects Dillon to suit up in the National Championship.

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