Expert prediction
CFP Championship: #2 Washington vs #1 Michigan Odds, and Picks (Jan 8)
- Keith McCarthy
- Jan 2, 2024 at 7:28 PM EST
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- Washington surged past Texas, reaching the finals after their 37-31 win.
- Michigan took down Alabama in overtime, winning 27-20 to advance.
- These two teams last met on September 11, 2021, in a game Michigan won 31-10.
The 2023-24 National Championship Game will take place between the Washington Huskies and the Michigan Wolverines. Both teams are unbeaten, aiming to complete the perfect season by winning it all.
How to Watch
- ESPN
Preview
Washington improved to 14-0 in their Sugar Bowl win against Texas. It was a back-and-forth game at first, before the Huskies pulled away in the 2nd half and never looked back. QB Michael Penix Jr. continued to be exceptional, completing 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards and 2 TDs. Washington’s defense faced a tough task against the Longhorns, but did just enough to hold them off. They’ll need to be at their absolute best.
Big O came to play 😤 pic.twitter.com/P64AxpmHpX
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) January 2, 2024
Michigan climbed to 14-0 following their Rose Bowl win over Alabama. It was a close game from start to finish, with the Wolverines eventually coming out on top in overtime. They looked dominant once again, but also saw major areas for improvement, especially on special teams. After two missed kicks and two muffed punts, Michigan will be aiming for a much cleaner performance in this game against Washington.
Prediction
The last 4-team College Football Playoff before the 12-team expansion kicks in will feature the Top 2 teams in the finale. They stand as the last two undefeated teams in all of College Football, guaranteeing the result of a perfect outright champion. Both of these teams have overcome tough competition week after week. Ultimately, I have more confidence in a Michigan team that had far less close calls this season.
NCAAF Picks:
- Michigan 29, Washington 23 ()
NCAAF
More Predictions
FCS Picks: #3 Montana #13 Northern Arizona Odds & Prediction (Oct 10)
In this week’s FCS picks, we’ll break down the Montana vs Northern Arizona matchup, featuring a battle of top-15 teams. The Grizzlies enter as the favorite, despite being on the road. They will be aiming to improve to 39-15 against Northern Arizona all-time. Montana Looks to Keep Rolling Montana enters this game having historically dominated […]
KKeith McCarthy 2 min read
FCS Picks: #2 Tarleton State vs #8 Austin Peay Odds & Prediction (Oct 10)
In this week’s FCS picks, we’ll break down the Tarleton State vs Austin Peay matchup, featuring a battle of top-10 teams. They played a thriller last season in a 45-44 result, and are likely to hold another very competitive high-stakes matchup in this rematch. Tarleton State Eyes FCS Top Spot Tarleton State is one of […]
KKeith McCarthy 2 min read
NCAAF: #5 Ohio State vs #14 Iowa Preview, Odds, Picks (Oct 3)
In this week’s Ohio State vs Iowa matchup, the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes face off in an undefeated battle. Ohio State is heavily favored, despite being on the road. They opened the season at #1 in the country but have since fallen to #5, aiming to rise back up. Ohio State Seeks to Continue Rising Ohio […]
KKeith McCarthy 2 min read
NCAAF: #7 Alabama vs #16 Mississippi State Preview, Odds, Picks (Oct 3)
In this week’s Alabama vs Mississippi State matchup a pair of top SEC teams faces off in a top-20 matchup. The Crimson Tide are favored to win on the road but face a challenge against a rough Bulldogs team. The winner will rise to 5-0 and the top of the SEC. Alabama Seeking to Rise […]
KKeith McCarthy 2 min read
College Football Gameday Picks: Best Straight-Up Predictions and Odds (Sep 26)
The rankings continue to change as we enter Week 4 of the college football season. There are plenty of great odds and picks to bet on this week, so don’t miss our predictions for this week’s top-5 matchups straight-up. Best Straight-Up College Football Picks UCLA vs Maryland UCLA opened the season 3-0, but should be […]
KKeith McCarthy 2 min read