The highly anticipated College Football Playoff National Championship game is scheduled for January 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston. Football fans can watch the live action on ESPN and the ESPN App as the No. 1 ranked Michigan Wolverines face off against the No. 2 ranked Washington Huskies.
Michigan secured their spot in the championship game after winning the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential, while Washington earned their ticket by emerging victorious in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Betting odds from ESPN BET have been released, with the line opening at Michigan -4.5 (-110). The moneyline stands at Washington (+170) and Michigan (-200), with a total of 54.5 and odds of Over -130 and Under +105.
In terms of betting trends, the betting favorite has emerged triumphant in the last four championship games. However, underdogs held their own in the early years of the playoffs, going 3-2 outright and 5-0 against the spread in championship games.
Underdogs have struggled in College Football Playoff games, holding a 3-11 outright record since the 2019 season. Washington, having secured an upset victory in the past, remains undefeated as a betting underdog under coach Kalen DeBoer. The Huskies have maintained a perfect 5-0 record as underdogs since DeBoer took over in 2022.
The upcoming championship game presents an opportunity for Washington to solidify their underdog status and potentially cause an upset that would make a significant impact on the College Football Playoff. The team’s first half money line currently sits at +130, reflecting their strong performance in the first two quarters of games as underdogs.
Statistics point to a high-scoring affair, with overs hitting in 6 out of the last 9 CFP title games. Both Washington and Michigan have shown a tendency to contribute to high-scoring games, with overs hitting in 8 out of 14 Washington games and 7 out of 14 Michigan games this season.
In summary, the stage is set for an exciting showdown between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies. Despite betting odds favoring Michigan, historical trends point to the unpredictability of championship games. For a more in-depth analysis of the championship game, enthusiasts can refer to Heather Dinich’s CFP National Championship first look: Michigan vs. Washington.
