Washington vs. Michigan same-game parlay predictions: Count on J.J. McCarthy in CFP National Championship
The Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies have proven themselves to be the top two programs in college football this year. Now they'll go head-to-head to crown a national champion.
The Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies have proven themselves to be the top two programs in college football this year. Now they'll go head-to-head to crown a national champion.
The pregame narrative: The College Football Playoff National Championship is a battle of offensive powerhouses. Look for this game to feature a lot of points, and for stars on both sides — J.J. McCarthy and Rome Odunze, namely — to make their mark.
Parlay: Over 52.5 points + McCarthy over 199.5 passing yards + Odunze over 79.5 receiving yards (+280)
Over 52.5 points (-180): Michigan allows the fewest points per game (10.2) in all of college football. But given that 10 of its 14 opponents finished outside the top 50 in scoring this season, that NCAA-best stat could be a tad misleading.
One thing everybody knows is that both of these programs love to put up points. The Wolverines and Huskies average 36.0 and 37.6 points per game, respectively, which gives reason to believe this will be a shootout.
Washington, which has hit this over in 10 of 14 games, presents easily the most dynamic offence Michigan will have seen this season. Both squads are capable of fighting fire with fire.
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McCarthy over 199.5 passing yards (+110): Michigan's identity for most of the season has been a ground-and-pound approach, using its larger-than-thou offensive line to wear down opponents. But the Wolverines needed a big game from McCarthy in the CFP semifinal and he delivered.
The junior threw for 221 yards and three TDs on just 17 competitions against the Alabama Crimson Tide. He now has 200-plus passing yards in eight of 14 games, averaging 203.6 yards this season.
Washington's bend-don't-break defence has made for an excellent matchup this season. The Huskies have allowed 12 of 14 opponents to throw for 200-plus yards, yielding an average of 267.1 pass yards.
Michigan tailback Blake Corum will certainly get his touches on the ground, but his efficiency has been lacking for several weeks. Since mid-October, Corum has rushed for just 4.0 yards per carry. That sort of inefficiency could encourage Michigan to lean harder on the arm of its quarterback.
Odunze over 79.5 receiving yards (-182): Michigan will try to stop Odunze in his tracks. But if the future first-round draftee has taught us anything this year, it's that he's almost certainly gonna get his.
Odunze, who is third in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (110.9), was one of two 1,000-yard receivers in Michael Penix Jr.'s offence this year. That means he's not the only big threat and the Wolverines can't pour all of their resources into stopping him.
Though he's had plenty of big games, Odunze's consistency is something to marvel at, too. Aside from one September game against the Arizona Wildcats, Odunze has 80-plus receiving yards in every game this season.
