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Head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines after winning the Big Ten Championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes as we look at our Washington-Michigan prediction.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines after winning the Big Ten Championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images/AFP.

The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game is hours from kickoff, and we're offering our top Washington vs. Michigan prediction based on the best college football odds at the best college football betting sites.

There will be a massive showdown between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington at Houston's NRG Stadium on Monday, and it's the first national title game without an SEC school in 10 years. Football fans are in for a thrilling spectacle.

Both teams have been enjoying quality seasons, and now there's a battle between two perfect 14-0 programs.

Michigan dominated the Big Ten before earning its spot in the title game with a 27-20 overtime victory over Alabama. Meanwhile, Washington took home the final Pac-12 trophy, with the Huskies engaging in a thrilling semifinal contest and notching a six-point win over Texas.  

Neither of these squads have won a national title since the '90s, with Michigan last winning in 1997 and Washington before that in 1991.

So, who will capture college football's greatest prize?

To accompany our Washington vs. Michigan player props, J.J. McCarthy player props, and Michael Penix Jr. player props, here is our best Washington vs. Michigan prediction and our college football picks for Monday's National Championship Game (odds via our best college football betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Washington vs. Michigan prediction: National Championship Game

Under 56.5 (-110 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐

This game could very well come down to which team will dictate the style of this matchup.

Washington has an electric offense, led by a Heisman finalist at quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. The Huskies want this championship game to come down to a shootout, as their offense is capable of trading punches with any other team in the country.

Michigan, on the other hand, is a team that prefers to slow the game down. The Wolverines typically have the edge in the trenches, allowing them to control things upfront. Their defense ranks first in the country, giving up an average of 10.2 points per contest. Michigan's offense relies on ball control and takes advantage of favorable field position.

That's what makes this total interesting, as it's basically placed somewhere in the middle. This would be the second-highest total for Michigan all season, as the Wolverines have had just one closing point total higher than 51 since non-conference play. Overtime was the only reason why Michigan's victory against Alabama finished Over 46 in the semifinals.

Washington, meanwhile, usually has a closing point total somewhere in the 60s. The Huskies have had only two point totals lower than this mark all year, both of which finished Over by a comfortable margin.

So which team will leave its handprint on this game? We believe Michigan will dictate play, halting Washington's offense better than anyone else has been able to do all year.

With our projection being a couple points below this mark, we'd be comfortable taking this Under at anything 55.5 or better.

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Washington vs. Michigan best odds

Caesars (-110)

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsbet365
Under 56Under 56Under 56.5Under 56.5Under 56.5
-110-112-110-110-110

While most of our best sports betting apps initially dropped the total down to 55.5, this line has climbed back up to 56.5 a few days later. This provides a great opportunity for anyone who missed the early mark to still get the best number on the total.

We placed this bet at Caesars due to personal preference, but would be willing to play this at anything 55.5 or better.

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Washington vs. Michigan odds

Washington vs. Michigan odds analysis

Given the magnitude of this game, it's no surprise to see that there has been minimal movement in the market at this point in the week. That could certainly change as we get closer to kickoff and limits are increased across our best sportsbooks.

Michigan has been trading as more than a field-goal favorite for much of the week, with the spread sitting between -4 and -4.5. The total opened at 56 and immediately dropped to 55.5, but is now sitting at 56.5 across our best live betting sites.

National Championship game info

  • When: Monday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: NRG Stadium in Houston, TX
  • How to watch: ESPN

Washington-Michigan prediction made Thursday at 2:45 p.m. ET.

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