Washington vs. Michigan prop picks for college football title: Bet on big game from Penix Jr.
The biggest game of the college football season is this Monday night when the Washington Huskies meet the Michigan Wolverines at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The pregame narrative: The conditions are ripe for both passing attacks to have a day. Washington is the underdog and will rely on the arm of Michael Penix Jr. to pull off the upset. Michigan, meanwhile, will likely find most of its offensive success putting the ball in J.J. McCarthy's hands.
Check out these Washington vs. Michigan prop picks for the college football national championship game on January 8.
NCAAF oddsas of 11:05 p.m. on 01/05/2024.
Washington vs. Michigan prop picks
Best Bet: Penix over 299.5 passing yards (-106)
If Washington's going to win the national title it's going to be because of the play of Penix. Expecting the Huskies to do anything but go down swinging would be foolish.
Penix had the best semifinal performance of any quarterback. He completed 29-of-38 attempts for 430 passing yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
That included this absolute dime in a crucial moment to his top wideout Rome Odunze.
It's worth mentioning that Michigan's defence is several cuts above that of the Texas Longhorns. The Wolverines are surrendering the second-fewest passing yards per game (152.6) to opposing passers, but that number is skewed due to a less-than-stellar collection of QBs the unit has battled.
There's a large gap between Penix's arm talent and the rest of the passers Michigan has faced this season.
Penix has attempted 77 passes since the Pac-12 Championship. Whether winning or losing, don't expect the Huskies to go away from passing the football.
Penix will remain involved and should get by this number whether he's playing catch up or with the lead.
Key stat: Penix is averaging 332 passing yards per game.
Quick pick
McCarthy over 193.5 passing yards (-112): Michigan's offence centres around Blake Corum and the run game but that's not the best way to attack Washington's defence.
The Huskies are allowing a respectable 133.8 rushing yards per game but they're conceding the 12th-most passing yards (263.2).
Texas was playing catch up to Washington, but it passed the ball on 60.1% of the team's offensive plays.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh proved that he's not afraid to put the ball in McCarthy's hands in crucial moments. The QB had 221 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in the Wolverines' semifinal victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
