by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Monday, January 8, 2024
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Washington +4.5, Michigan -4.5; Over/Under: 55.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Washington +4.5, Michigan -4.5; Over/Under: 55.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Washington +4.5, Michigan -4.5; Over/Under: 55.5 points
Season Record
Washington Huskies: 14-0 (9-0) (1st place, Pac-12)
Michigan Wolverines: 14-0 (9-0) (1st place, Big Ten East)
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Recent Form
Washington Huskies: won their last game at home against the Texas Longhorns 37-31.
Michigan Wolverines: won their last game at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20 in overtime.
Washington Huskies vs Michigan Wolverines Preview and Analysis
Washington is entering this game with a 14-0 record overall and they have a 9-0 record in their conference games too. They are 7-0 in their home games, 5-0 in their road games, and they are also 2-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Texas 37-31. Michael Penix Jr. was the starting QB and he completed 29/38 passes for 430 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Dillon Johnson led the team in rushing yards with 49 and 2 TDs. Rome Odunze led the receivers with 125 receiving yards on 6 receptions. Edefuan Ulofoshio led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Bralen Trice led the defense in sacks with 2. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Michigan is entering this game with a 14-0 record overall and they have a 9-0 record in their conference games too. They are 7-0 in their home games, 5-0 in their road games, and they are also 2-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Alabama 27-20 in OT. J.J. McCarthy was the starting QB and he completed 17/27 passes for 221 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Blake Corum led the team in rushing yards with 83 and 1 TD. Roman Wilson led the receivers with 73 receiving yards on 4 receptions and 1 TD. Michael Barrett led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Braiden McGregor led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Washington vs Michigan Prediction
The current betting odds have Michigan listed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Michigan has looked great in their games this season with their 14-0 record overall which took them to the Big Ten Championship that they went on to win. They also beat out Alabama in the CFP Semifinal in their last game. Meanwhile, Washington has also looked great in their games this season with their 14-0 record overall which took them to the Pac-12 Championship winning it. They beat out Texas in their last game to get here and they were in complete control of that entire game as they never fell behind. Washington was able to take advantage of the Texas defense in that game by attacking them deep but Michigan has a much better defense with one of the best in the country. Washington also has a good defense but is nowhere at the level of this Michigan defense which is going to give Michigan a big advantage in this game. Washington does have a very strong offense but Michigan has the kind of defense that will be able to slow them down and Michigan also has a good offense with a powerful running game to lean on so they can go toe-to-toe with this Washington offense. Michigan has the bigger advantage on the defensive side of the ball and that will be what gives them an edge here. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan to cover the spread in this game and win the National Championship.
Washington Michigan Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Monday, January 8, 2024 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Michigan 27 Washington 17.
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NCAAF Betting Trends
Washington Huskies: 14-23 ATS after allowing 31 points or more in 2 straight games. 3-6 ATS after allowing 6.25 or more yards/play in their previous game. 8-3 OVER after 5 consecutive games where they committed 1 or less turnovers. 24-17 OVER after a win by 6 or less points.
Michigan Wolverines: 27-14 ATS in all games. 24-13 ATS as a favorite. 24-11 ATS after a game where they committed 1 or less turnovers. 16-4 OVER as a neutral field favorite. 21-8 OVER in a bowl game. 24-9 OVER in games played on a neutral field.
Key Injuries
Washington Huskies: D. Johnson (RB) Prob Mon - Lower Body. S. Adams II (RB) Ques Mon - Undisclosed. G. Memmelaar (OL) out for season - Undisclosed. C. Davis (RB) out for season - Lower Body.
Michigan Wolverines: L. Forbes (WR) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. C. Stokes (RB) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. D. Warren (QB) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. K. English (WR) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. Z. Zinter (OL) out for season - Leg.
Notable Quotes
“Those guys are the most resilient guys I have ever been around.” - Kalen DeBoer after his team’s win against Texas in the CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
“If ever a game was going to be won up front, it was going to be won with toughness and physicality. Our guys were just there in rhythm and got it done. Epic game. Epic game. The stick-togetherness — I guess what people don’t know, how could they know, what the togetherness is like? There’s just nothing that can separate these guys.” - Jim Harbaugh after his team’s win against Alabama in the CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Starting Lineups
Washington Huskies
WR Odunze, Rome
WR Polk, Ja'Lynn
WR McMillan, Jalen
TE Culp, Devin
QB Penix Jr., Michael
RB Johnson, Dillon
Michigan Wolverines
WR Johnson, Cornelius
WR Wilson, Roman
TE Barner, A.J.
TE Loveland, Colston
QB McCarthy, J.J.
RB Corum, Blake
FB Bredeson, Max
Statistical Leaders
Washington Huskies
Passing: M. Penix Jr. (4218)
Rushing: D. Johnson (1113)
Receiving: R. Odunze (1428)
Touchdowns: R. Odunze (14)
Michigan Wolverines
Passing: J. McCarthy (2630)
Rushing: B. Corum (1028)
Receiving: R. Wilson (662)
Touchdowns: B. Corum (24)
Coaches:
Washington Huskies: Kalen DeBoer (2nd season)
Michigan Wolverines: Jim Harbaugh (9th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
