Michigan-Washington Championship Primer
All the information sports bettors need for the College Football Playoffs final
No. 1 Michigan (14-0) vs. No. 2 Washington (14-0)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m, EST
WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston (The dome is reported to be closed for the game.)
WATCH: ESPN
CURRENT ODDS: Michigan is the consensus favorite
BETTING IN MICHIGAN AND WASHINGTON: Michigan residents have full state-wide mobile wagering and can bet on in-state college teams’ games and player props.
Sports betting in Washington is confined to tribal casinos and wagering on in-state college sports is not allowed.
BETTING AT THE GAME: Sports betting isn’t legal in Texas.
Here’s hoping those Michiganders knocked out their bets at home.
AP Photos; Brant James illustration
Washington-Michigan Prediction
Says Gaming Today staff writer DJ Corrigan:
This is genuinely a challenging game to predict.
Michigan feels like the better team, and the oddsmakers agree. However, Washington is giving off major ‘Team of Destiny’ vibes. That is not a valid reason to bet on the Huskies, but they have answered the call all season and are one game away from greatness.
Washington will only win this game if they keep [quarterback Michael] Penix [Jr.] on his feet. If Michigan can pressure the quarterback, there is not much the Huskies can do to move the ball downfield. Stopping the run is another concern for the Huskies, but as we mentioned earlier, this front seven continues to improve every game.
The Wolverines will do what they always do. They will pound the rock and set up [JJ] McCarthy to make efficient, safe throws. Although his record as the starter at Michigan is impressive, he is not a guy who can put a team on his back as Penix can.
Michigan has not allowed more than 24 points in a game this season, but that streak will end in the season’s final game. Washington’s offense is in a groove right now, and Penix is throwing the football as good as anyone ever has at this level.
As we saw at the Rose Bowl, a Jim Harbaugh-coached team is good for at least one brutal mistake per game. The Huskies are the team that will make you pay off any mistake, and they should keep this game close and cover the college football championship game spread.
Washington vs. Michigan Prediction: Washington +5
bet365 Insights
Spread - “4.5 opener now 5, and although line has moved slight to MICH, the overall action on the spread sees approx 60%-40% of all tickets to WASH +pts.”
Moneyline - “In contrast to the Spread splits, the ML overall tickets see approx. 60-40 MICH ML action, with the -185 opener move through -200/-210 to the current -220. This is now seeing approx. 70-30 MICH action at the price, with WASH +180 seeing support, but at a lower rate than earlier lines.”
Total - “Open 55, raised up to 56.5, now back to 55.5. Overall total action sees approx 55-45 to the Under, however, this line will likely see the action through the day to the Over, so will likely end up near 50-50, if not slight to Over.”
Odds, Promos, etc.
Last-Chance CFP Stories
DraftKings’ Johnny Avello on how big the 12-team CFP tourney will be eventually
2024-25, Anyone?
Because it’s never too soon …. FanDuels’ odds for the 2024-25 national championship, which will be settled by that 12-team format:
Georgia +350
Alabama +550
Ohio State +800
Texas +850
Michigan +1000
Oregon +1200
LSU +1500
Ole Miss +1600
Florida State +1800
Penn State +2500
Notre Dame +2500
Texas A&M +3300
Clemson +3300
USC +3500
Oklahoma +4000
Tennessee +4500
Missouri +5000
Washington +5000
Kansas State +6000
Miami (Fla.) +8000
By Brant James, Gaming Today Senior Writer