Washington Huskies at Michigan Wolverines Odds & Game Pick (2021)

Sep 8, 2021 - 1:15 PM

Washington and Michigan were supposed to be one of the highlights of Week 2 of the NCAA football calendar in 2021, but after taking a header in Week 1 versus Montana, it will be hard to sell the Huskies as a national powerhouse. Michigan trampled their cupcake, sending Western Michigan packing 47-14. Now, Jim Harbaugh tries to keep the momentum going at The Big House against a Washington squad that will do whatever it takes to wash last week’s egg off its face.

Pags NCAAF Picks YTD: 4-1-1 (+3.3 units)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

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	SPREAD	O/U	MONEY
WAS #20 WASHINGTON 0-1	+6.5 -110	o 48.5 -110	+215
MICH MICHIGAN 1-0	-6.5 -110	u 48.5 -110	-265

• Opening Line: Michigan -5
• Last Meeting: Michigan 31 Washington 29

Overview

Michigan’s head coach is on the hot seat after winning just 33% of their 2020 games. Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis was the lone survivor of the Ann Arbor house cleaning project. He will rely on QB Cade McNamara to lead his offense. McNamara didn’t have to do much in Week 1, tossing just 11 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. However, this scheme is designed to spread it out. WR Ronnie Bell was set to be a big winner in the design but suffered a season-ending injury last week. Someone will need to step up for Michigan in his absence. If no one does, they will rely heavily on RBs Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins to keep the chains moving.

Washington has the defense to be competitive in every game. Despite losing EDGE Zion Tupuola-Fetui to a torn Achilles, their secondary provides blanket coverage weekly. They are led by new coordinator Bob Gregory who has kept his predecessors plan in place. On offense, they left a lot to be desired in Week 1, rushing for only 65 yards while losing the turnover battle 3-0 via three interceptions from QB Dylan Morris. On the road in a hostile environment isn’t typically the place offenses find their rhythm.

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Trends

• Washington covered just one time in 2020
• Totals have gone UNDER in seven of Washington’s last nine games
• Michigan is 1-5 ATS in its last six games overall
• Totals have gone OVER in four of Michigan’s last six games
• Michigan leads the all-time series 7-5

Bottom Line

WR Ronnie Bell’s injury is a massive loss for the Wolverine offense. Against a fierce defensive unit, they could struggle early to convert on third and medium/long. QB Cade McNamara will find it difficult to attack the strength of the Washington defense — the secondary. This means more rushes, which puts the UNDER 48.5 as set by FanDuel Sportsbook in play. The Huskies are difficult to handicap. They had a weird 4-game 2020 and looked out of sorts in Week 1. Now, they face a talented opponent on the road. Until we get a feel, we won’t recommend them covering any line away from home.

Prediction: Michigan 27, Washington 18

The Picks: Michigan -6.5 | 1.0 units, UNDER 48.5 | 1.0 units

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