Washington vs. Michigan odds, line: 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship picks by proven expert
The final college football game of the season has all the makings of a potential classic as the Washington Huskies meet the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game. The title game features a meeting of undefeated Power Five conference champions that appear to be peaking in the postseason. Michigan (14-0) was a projected front-runner that spent most of the season as the top-ranked team in the country and dominated the Big Ten competition on the way to a conference title and top seed in the CFP. But Pac-12 champion Washington (14-0), the No. 2 seed in the CFP was still seen as a longshot of sorts despite returning numerous key players from last year's 11-win club.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston. The Wolverines are 5-point favorites and the over/under for total points scored is 55.5 in the latest Washington vs. Michigan odds via SportsLine consensus. Michigan is the -218 favorite on the money line (risk $218 to win $100). Before making any Michigan vs. Washington picks, you need to see which side Tom Fornelli is backing, given his track record of strong picks in games involving Huskies.
A CBS Sports writer since 2010, the entertaining Fornelli is best known for his college football expertise. He co-hosts the popular Cover 3 Podcast and appears regularly on CBS Sports HQ. You'll get maximum access to Fornelli's picks only on SportsLine. What's more, he has shown a particularly sharp eye for the trajectory of the Huskies. In fact, Fornelli has gone 12-2 in his last 14 college football picks involving Washington, netting his followers a profit of nearly $1,000. Anyone who has followed him has seen profitable returns.
Now, he has set his sights on Washington vs. Michigan and just revealed his picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Michigan vs. Washington:
- Washington vs. Michigan spread: Wolverines -5
- Washington vs. Michigan over/under: 55.5 points
- Washington vs. Michigan money line: Wolverines -218, Huskies +179
- WASH: The Huskies are 4-2 ATS in their last six games
- MICH: The Wolverines are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games
- Washington vs. Michigan: See picks at SportsLine
- Washington vs. Michigan live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Michigan can cover
Although the Wolverines have had massive success on the field, they have had their share of adversity away from it. Most notably, coach Jim Harbaugh served a three-game suspension for a sign-stealing scandal that could result in further sanctions for the program. Moreover, annual speculation that the coach might leave the program for an opportunity in the NFL also has shrouded the program as the postseason approached.
Harbaugh's potential interest in returning to the NFL remains to be seen, but the suspension has been a popular topic from critics who suggest that if Michigan wins the title, the legacy of this team will be tainted because of the alleged wrongdoing that occurred along the way.
Alabama in the semifinals, several Michigan players told the media they used the adversity as a galvanizing force and are determined to shut out distractions as they pursue the national title. Harbaugh told the media this week that his team has done a great job eliminating outside noise and expects that to continue.
"I don't know if you want to live in rumorville or speculation, but we just don't really have any room to be doing that at this point. That's done elsewhere," Harbaugh said. See which team to pick here.
Why Washington can cover
The Huskies have a trio of receivers who are arguably the best overall set in the country, and a national audience saw why in their semifinal victory over Texas. The offense was in rhythm from outset, with quarterback Michael Penix making pre-snap reads and quickly getting the ball released with pinpoint darts that seemed to hit his receivers in the numbers whether it was a screen near the line of scrimmage or a deep route 30 yards downfield.
The sure-handed Rome Odunze is widely considered a potentially high first-round NFL Fraft pick, while Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan also are regarded as NFL prospects. Odunze has been a reliable closer all season, coming with big plays time and again to help Penix and friends close out tight games. The 6-foot-3 junior did it again in the semifinals, hauling in a 32-yard pass from Penix late in the fourth quarter that set up Washington's final field goal. He finished with six catches for a team-high 125 yards.
McMillan, who missed four games because of injury, also made numerous big catches and has been a reliable red-zone target. He had five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. Polk, who is known for his physicality and ability to outfight defenders for the ball, broke away for a 77-yard catch that set up Washington's first touchdown. He finished with five catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. See which team to pick here.
How to make Washington vs. Michigan picks
Fornelli has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he's leaning Over on the point total, he has also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's sharing what it is, and which side to back, only at SportsLine.
