The 2024 National Championship Game is gearing up to take place on Monday evening as the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines and the second-seeded Washington Huskies face off. Both teams are a perfect 14-0 entering this game as the Wolverines are coming off a 27-20 overtime win in the Rose Bowl over the Alabama Crimson Tide while the Huskies pulled off a 37-31 win against the Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl.
Which team will be able to call themselves national champions?
Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
Washington | +4.5
-110 |
O55.5
-110 |
+154 |
Michigan | -4.5
-110 |
U55.5
-110 |
-185 |
**Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook** |
- Fixture: Washington @ Michigan
- Date and Time: January 8, 2024 @ 7:30 pm EST
- Location: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
Key Stats
Washington Huskies
- Points Per Game: 37.6
- Points Allowed Per Game: 23.6
- 3rd Down Efficiency: 46.54%
- 4th Down Efficiency: 70.59%
- Net Passing Yards Per Game: 350.0
- Yards Per Pass Attempt: 9.4
- Passing TDs: 37
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 123.6
- Rushing TDs: 28
- Sacks: 21
- Interceptions: 16
The Washington Huskies are one of the most dominant offensive teams in all of college football as they led the nation in passing yards and 11th in points per game. They have some injury concerns with running back Dillon Johnson suffering a lingering foot injury in the final minute of the game.
Senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been doing extremely well as one of the Heisman Trophy finalists as he has gone 336-of-504 (66.7 completion percentage) for 4,648 yards with 35 passing touchdowns to nine interceptions. With one of the most significant wide receivers with junior Rome Odunze as he has posted 87 catches for 1,553 yards (17.9 yards per reception) with 13 touchdown catches.
Their defense needs to improve, specifically defending against the pass as they are allowing 263.2 yards per game through the air. If they can scheme to stop the pass and continue to defend the run well, they will be in a great position to walk away as the national champions.
Michigan Wolverines
- Points Per Game: 36.0
- Points Allowed Per Game: 9.5
- 3rd Down Efficiency: 44.79%
- 4th Down Efficiency: 80.95%
- Net Passing Yards Per Game: 218.5
- Yards Per Pass Attempt: 9.0
- Passing TDs: 24
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 159.5
- Rushing TDs: 36
- Sacks: 39
- Interceptions: 16
The Michigan Wolverines have been covered in controversy throughout the season but are one game away from being immortalized. They have been a middle-of-the-road offensive team and that is led by junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy as he has gone 230-of-314 (73.2 completion percentage) for 2,851 yards with 22 passing touchdowns to four interceptions.
Their offense goes through the running game as senior running back Blake Corum as he has 237 rushing attempts for 1,111 yards (4.7 yards per carry) with 25 rushing touchdowns. Their defense has been the strength for the program as they are best in the country with just 9.5 points allowed per game.
If they can dominate on the defensive end once again or just hold their own, they will have a great game and in a huge spot as a whole.
Game Prediction
In the 2024 National Championship, this game is going to be intriguing as we have an electric offensive team going up against a dominant defensive team. However, the secondary for the Huskies is a huge issue. John Harbaugh seems to be the better coach and should be able to dominate in this game.
Even though J.J. McCarthy has not been asked to do too much throughout the season, expect him to have the opportunities to be successful and open up lanes for Blake Corum. With the foot injury potentially keeping running back Dillon Johnson out of this game, it will be difficult to see the offense be anything but one-dimensional and the Wolverines should limit what Michael Penix Jr. can do here.
Michigan is 8-5-1 against the spread this season, which is one game better than Washington so expect the Michigan Wolverines to cover the spread and be crowned the 2024 National Champions.
Final Pick
Michigan Wolverines -4.5
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1 Comment
You must be from MI and know nothing about the Huskies. MI is used to dominating the line of scrimmage on D. Just ask the Ducks what it is like to face three NFL receivers, two NFL TE’s and 3 NFL OL men. MI has no idea what they are up against. How could they? They have face no one EVEN CLOSE. Incluing Alabama,
I expect MI to run the ball well, make a few plays through the air and lose 35-25. As a Husky I am biased for sure. But there is one intangible left, we have playe dclose games all year with injuries all ov er the D and the O-line. We are healthy now. Granted, MI has to, to some extent, but the Huskies have more talent, better coaching and the intangibles.
That may be be debatable, but to get 4.5 points and the Huskies is a no-brainer as long as the officials stay out of it.