Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines aim to build on an encouraging start on Saturday. Michigan began its 2021 campaign with an impressive win over Western Michigan at home, with the Wolverines scoring 47 points in the process. The competition level jumps in the second contest, however, as Michigan welcomes the Washington Huskies. Washington was ranked in the preseason Top 25, though the Huskies were stunned by Montana in last week’s season opener.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET in Ann Arbor. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Wolverines as 6.5-point favorites in the latest Michigan vs. Washington odds. The over-under for total points is set at 48. Before making any Michigan vs. Washington picks, check out the college football predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of over $3,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 2 of the 2021 season on a 63-45 run on all top-rated college football picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Michigan vs. Washington. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college football odds and trends for Washington vs. Michigan:
- Washington vs. Michigan spread: Michigan -6.5
- Washington vs. Michigan over-under: 48 points
- Washington vs. Michigan money line: Michigan -270, Washington +220
- WASH: The Huskies are 1-4 against the spread in the last five games
- MICH: The Wolverines are 2-5 against the spread in the last seven games
Featured Game | Michigan Wolverines vs. Washington Huskies
Why Washington can cover
Washington struggled on the offensive side against Montana, but the Huskies were without their top four wide receivers. The Huskies project to be healthier against Michigan, and Washington was above-average in both rushing (176.3 yards per game) and passing (226.5 yards per game) in the Pac-12 last season. Washington averaged 30.3 points per game with 11 rushing touchdowns in four games a season ago, and the Huskies were fantastic on third down, converting more than 47 percent of their opportunities.
On the defensive side, Washington was very good a week ago. The Huskies held Montana to only 4.6 yards per pass attempt and their opponent generated fewer than 250 total yards. Montana had only 10 first downs in the game, one of the five best marks in the country last week, and Montana also had only 103 passing yards in the game. Washington returns quite a bit of talent from the Pac-12’s best defense a year ago, as the Huskies led the conference in total yards allowed and passing yards allowed, with the No. 2 mark in points allowed.
Why Michigan can cover
Michigan struggled in 2020, but the Wolverines showed quite a bit of intrigue in the opener last week. The Wolverines excelled offensively, dominating through the air and on the ground. Michigan put up 47 points while averaging 12.7 yards per pass attempt and 9.18 yards per play. In all, the Wolverines accumulated more than 550 total yards, and they kept drives alive by converting 8-of-13 on third down. Michigan’s offense took a hit with the knee injury to leading wideout Ronnie Bell, but the Wolverines have a pair of excellent running backs in Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins to go along with strong quarterback play from Cade McNamara.
McNamara has seven touchdowns and no interceptions in his young career, and he was hyper-efficient in the opener. Defensively, Michigan held Western Michigan to just 5.2 yards per pass attempt and 3.9 yards per rushing attempt. The Wolverines can also take encouragement from Washington’s overarching offensive struggles in their opening loss, including just 2.4 yards per carry against an undermanned FCS opponent.
How to make Washington vs. Michigan picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 54 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 60 percent of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Michigan vs. Washington? And which side of the spread hits in over 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.
