Washington Huskies vs Michigan Wolverines
Future Big Ten rivals Michigan (14-0 SU, 8-5-1 ATS) and Washington (14-0, 7-6-1) both hope to end their title droughts when they meet in the College Football Playoff National Championship Monday at NRG Stadium. The Wolverines haven’t claimed national supremacy since 1998, while the Huskies are seeking their first crown since 1991.
Michigan has covered three straight games and eight of its last 10, but Washington is riding a 21-game winning streak that includes four victories as an underdog. The Wolverines have won eight of the 13 all-time meetings between the programs.
Latest Betting Notes: Washington
The Huskies’ prowess in tight games continued last week in the Sugar Bowl as Washington pulled out a 37-31 upset of the Texas Longhorns. UW nearly saw a late nine-point lead slip away, needing a red zone stop in the dying seconds to claim their 21st consecutive victory — and 10th straight by 10 points or fewer. In fact, the Huskies’ last four wins have come by an average of 3.5 points.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed why he was a Heisman Trophy candidate, throwing for 430 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Six of his completions were for more than 20 yards, including a 77-yard connection with Ja’Lynn Polk on Washington’s opening possession, and Rome Odunez hauled in six balls for 125 yards.
The victory may have come at a price, however, as star running back Dillon Johnson was injured on Washington’s final offensive play as the team was attempting to run out the clock. Johnson was carted off with a lower-leg injury and his status for the championship game was uncertain as of Wednesday.
Latest Betting Notes: Michigan
Known for its inability to win big games under head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan finally broke through in the Rose Bowl with a come-from-behind 27-20 win over Alabama. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy directed a late 75-yard drive to tie the game with 1:34 to go and running back Blake Corum provided the winning score in OT, enabling the Wolverines to cover the spread for the third straight game and eighth in 10.
Michigan also went OVER the total for the seventh time in its last 10 outings as its defense gave up 20-plus for the third time in four games — quite the turnaround for a unit that didn’t allow more than 15 in any of its first 10. However, the Wolverines’ defense came up big when things mattered most, recording seven sacks and sealing the victory with a fourth-and-goal stop.
The Keys to Victory: Washington
Led by Penix and a trio of NFL-caliber receivers, the Huskies topped the nation in passing yards and were 11th in scoring with an average of 37.6 points per game. Washington’s powerful offensive line didn’t allow a sack in the Sugar Bowl and can buy Penix time against a tough Michigan secondary.
The Huskies have also thrived in the underdog role over the past two years, winning all four games in which they’ve been spotted points.
The Keys to Victory: Michigan
MIchigan’s second-ranked defense is the toughest stop unit that Penix and the Huskies will face this year. Even if the Wolverines’ pass rush can’t get home against Washington’s offensive line, Michigan’s ability to limit big plays can slow down a Huskies attack that thrives on them.
Corum leads the FBS in rushing touchdowns and can help the Wolverines play keepaway by controlling the ball against a Washington run defense that was middle of the pack this season.
One thing the Wolverines will certainly need to clean up for the championship game, however, is the play of their special teams. Michigan muffed a punt, missed an extra point and nearly allowed a safety on a botched punt return in the dying seconds last week against Alabama.
