BREAKING:In the CFP championship game against Washington, Michigan is the early favorite.

“Michigan vs. everybody” is no longer the situation. The oddsmakers are on the Wolverines’ side.

Action Network set Michigan (14-0) as the early 4.5-point favorite versus CFP No. 2 Washington (14-0) in the College Football Playoff title game on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

It’s hardly shocking that the Wolverines are the favorites after defeating No. 4 Alabama 27–20 in overtime at the Rose Bowl to record their first victory in the CFP semifinals in three attempts. First place This decade, Michigan has been among the greatest college football teams in the nation, and in 2021, the team hopes to build on its success and maybe send head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL after winning a college football national title.

It is surprising, nevertheless, that the national championship game’s starting line is longer than any of the semifinals.

Disrespect has been the gasoline for Washington this year. Even though the Huskies defeated Oregon 36-33 in their regular-season encounter, they were 9.5 points underdogs in the Pac-12 title game.

Third Notification A four-point favorite going into the Sugar Bowl was Texas. Before the game, Kalen DeBoer, the head coach of Washington, talked about how the Huskies’ exciting 37-31 victory provided extra motivation.

Additionally, you reach a stage where you’re not the preferred team and are 9-0 or 10-0. Finding methods to refute those who disbelieve you is more important than creating content for a bulletin board or anything similar, according to DeBoer.

The Huskies have enough talent, even without additional fuel, to defeat Michigan thanks to quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and standout wide receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan; oddsmakers have made sure they’ll have it nonetheless.

But Michigan has other external reasons as well. Despite moving past the controversy surrounding the sign-stealing, the program’s adversaries remain due to the plan. Sportsbooks really respect the Wolverines, so they should utilize that to bolster their underdog mentality

Why is not hard to grasp. The most recent accomplishment of Michigan’s excellent defense was keeping Alabama to a season-low 288 yards, far less than their season average of 393.1 yards per game.

Texas’s 180-yard rush and 96th percentile in projected points added per rush attempt (0.44) suggest that Wolverines running back Blake Corum is keen to continue his strong performance at the Rose Bowl.

On Monday night, though, there are many reasons to support Washington. First off, Washington’s offensive line is far superior to Alabama’s; it was awarded the 2023 Joe Moore Award for the most outstanding unit.

Penix Jr. was the best player in both of the semifinals as well, and the Huskies stand a good chance of winning if he repeats as the best player in the championship game.

If nothing else, the odds will be closer than expected.

Additional must-reads