The college football season ends tonight with a fantastic matchup at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas between #1 ranked Michigan vs. #2 ranked Washington, in a battle of the two undefeated teams in the nation for the National Championship.

Michigan’s season was filled with drama this season, with head coach Jim Harbaugh getting suspended twice this year and the Connor Stallions sign stealing scandal completely taking over the college football world. The Wolverines still finished the season ranked #1 with a perfect 13-0 record. After defeating Ohio State 30-24 in their last regular season game on Rivalry Week, they followed that up with a cakewalk of a 26-0 win in the Big Ten Championship.

The Rose Bowl was an instant classic between Michigan and #4 ranked Alabama on New Year’s Day. Michigan won in overtime on Blake Corum’s second touchdown of the game and then making a fantastic stop on Bama in OT. JJ McCarthy went 17/27, throwing for 221 yards and three touchdowns. The Blake Corum led rushing attack ran for 130 yards and the touchdown. Defensively the Wolverines’ limited Jalen Milroe to 116 yards in the air and zero passing touchdown, and gave up 172 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. 

The Wolverines have been very good on both sides of the ball this season. They ranked 12th offensively in the nation, scoring an average of 36.7 points per game. Quarterback JJ McCarthy has lead their passing offense, averaging 218.8 yards per game in the air and 1.6 passing touchdowns per game. They rely heavily on the run, with Blake Corum leading the way. Michigan averages 161.8 yards rushing and 2.7 touchdowns per game. Defensively the Wolverines are the best team in the nation, allowing an average of only 9.5 points per game. They’ve limited their opponents to only 152.6 yards in the air and 87.1 yards on the ground.

Washington was the final PAC-12 Champion, with the conference going away next year as they went an impressive 13-0 and finishing the season with a 34-31 win over Oregon in a game they dominated, winning both games in that season series. They’ll go to the Big Ten next year.

The Huskies led the way and never trailed in the Sugar Bowl, taking down Texas with a 37-31 win, an extremely impressive showing from Michael Penix, who went 29/38 for 430 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target Rome Odunze had six receptions for 125 yards. They ran for 102 yards with two touchdowns on the ground. Defensively, they weren’t all that great. Although lots of their yards came in garbage time, Quinn Ewers went 24/43 for 318 yards and a touchdown, while Washington gave up 180 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Washington’s been awesome offensively this year, ranking tenth in the nation as they’ve scored an average of 37.7 points per game. Michael Penix was a Heisman candidate all season and they have one of the best wide receiver cores in the country led by Rome Odunze. Their passing offense has gone for an average of 343.8 yards and 2.7 touchdowns per game. On the ground they’ve rushed for an average of 125.2 yards and 2 touchdowns per game. Defensively the Huskies haven’t been all that great, allowing an average of 23.6 points per game, ranking 51st in the country. They’ve allowed an average of 263.2 passing yards and 133.8 rushing yards per game. Their rushing defense gives up 4.4 yards per carry, ranking 86th in the country.

I think the key factor in this game is the rushing defense for Washington struggling against the best running back in the country in Blake Corum. Additionally Michigan has the best defense in the nation and should be able to slow down Penix. I’ve said pretty much all year, especially after the Connor Stallions story, that it’s the perfect story for the Wolverines to shut everyone up and win the Natty, and then Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan for the NFL. I will take Michigan -4.5 for a unit, boosted up to +111 on FanDuel.

There’s several props I like in this game as well. My favorite player prop is Blake Corum to rush for over 102.5 yards, which I will take for two units. I’ll also take his longest rush over 22.5 yards for half a unit, and him to score two or more touchdowns for a unit. On the Washington side, I think they’ll be playing from behind, forcing Penix to look for his favorite target, so I will take Rome Odunze over 89.5 receiving yards for a unit. I looked at the Penix yard and pass attempt props too, but at 292.5 and 38.5, I think both are a little too high for me to bet.

I’d slightly lean the under, but the total to me in this game is pretty much a crapshoot in my eyes. I’ll stay off the over/under.

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GO BLUE!

Bets

1u Michigan -4.5 (+111)

2u Blake Corum over 102.5 rushing yards (-118)

.5u Blake Corum longest rush over 20.5 yards (-122)

1u Blake Corum to score 2+ touchdowns (+110)

1u Rome Odunze over 89.5 receiving yards (-118)

Record: 223-189-11 (+0.85 units)

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