Michigan vs. Washington Staff Picks

MICHIGAN VS. WASHINGTON STAFF PICKS – #1 Michigan faces off against #2 Washington in the college football national championship this Monday, January 8th at 7:30 pm EST. Both teams come into the matchup undefeated and battle tested. Michigan outlasted perennial powerhouse Alabama in overtime to punch their ticket to Houston and Washington relied on a spectacular last second defensive play to hold off the surging Texas Longhorns. 

Will Jim Harbaugh vindicate his season and fend off the cheating scandal that has embroiled the Michigan football program this season? Can the Huskies win a national title for the PAC-12 during the last season of the conference’s existence? Read below for our expert staff picks for the game tonight. 

Hey, while you’re at it, check out our Godzilla Wins Daily Picks page, where all of our writers log daily winners for your pleasure!

The Odds

Matchup	Open	Spread	Points	Moneyline
Washington (14-0 SU, 7-6-1 ATS)	O55.5	+4.5	O56.5	+160
Michigan (14-0 SU, 8-5-1 ATS)	-4	-4.5	U56.5	-190

Staff Picks

John Fredericks 

Who can stop them? The Huskies have been undervalued and under-appreciated all season…all they do is…win games. They have the best O-Line in the nation. Once Michigan couldn’t get to Alabama’s QB in the second half, the game swung. Alabama receivers got separation and wide open all over the place. 

Michigan – who I picked at the beginning of the season to be national champs – is a one-dimensional team. How much can J.J. McCarthy run? I can’t wait to see Penix throw darts to open receivers streaking over the middle or down the sidelines. Let’s Go Huskies!  

Pick: Washington (+4.5)  

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Nate Perry

I’ve been back and forth on this game all week, but I’m ready to take a stand. Michigan can be one-dimensional in their reliance on running the ball, but I don’t think it hurts them in this matchup.

Washington’s defensive line has been porous all season and this will be their toughest matchup. Michigan will pound the ball at them and force them to make a stop. I just can’t see it happening often enough for Washington to win this game. 

Pick: Michigan -4.5

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Trent Conner

The Michigan Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh have been embroiled in controversy all season, but they have found themselves with a chance to win the National Championship.

The offense has been steady and productive, but the defense is the soul of this team. Michael Penix Jr. is probably their toughest test this season. He leads the nation in yards but has nine interceptions on the season. The Wolverines have 16 interceptions on the season, eight turnovers on offense, and the number one turnover margin at +17. I’m taking Michigan to win and cover. 

Pick: Michigan (-4.5)

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Jack Fredericks

The Huskies have been my pick for the national championship, for better or for worse, most of the season now. While the defense has looked anemic at times, the unit shows a lot of gumption and finds ways to keep things close. As for the offense, Michael Penix Jr. won’t have as much trouble as Jalen Milroe did with the Michigan pass rush.

The Huskies play fast and loose and the Wolverines aren’t going to have enough firepower to slow them down or keep up with them on offense. I’m taking the 4.5 points, the moneyline, and the over.

Pick: Washington (+4.5); Washington ML (+160); and OVER 56.5 total points.

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Dan Angell

Check out Dan’s deep dive into this game: CFP National Championship Expert Pick and Prediction

Pick: Washington (+4.5); OVER 56.5 total points.