The 2023-24 College football season’s finale is shaping up to be one of the best as the Washington Huskies (14-0) will face the Michigan Wolverines (14-0) Monday night in Houston, Texas, for the sport’s national championship.
Despite being the No. 2 seed for the playoffs, few commentators gave Washington much of a chance to reach this title game. The Huskies relied on QB Michael Penix, Jr. to do so as the senior threw for 4,648 yards this season, notching 35 passing TDs and only nine INTs along the way.
Michigan was also barely favored in their semi-final contest against Alabama despite finishing undefeated this year. The Wolverines used a powerful rushing game – led by RB Blake Corum – to reach the sport’s pinnacle contest. Corum rushed 237 times for 1,111 yards and 25 TDs this season.
After two last-minute stops propelled both Michigan and Washington to the championship game, which players will make a difference Monday in Houston? We’ll reveal our top player prop bets and our best bet overall as the Wolverines and Huskies vie for the 2023-24 College Football National Championship.
J.J. McCarthy OVER 190.5 Passing Yards (BetMGM)
Although Corum receives the media’s attention, Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy is an elite athlete helming their offensive attack. This year, McCarthy has completed 73 percent of his passes for 2,851 yards and 22 passing TDs. The junior signal caller has also managed 171 rushing yards and three TDs in 2023.
Expect McCarthy to exceed the 196.5 passing yard mark required to cover this player prop bet. Washington’s defense should not deter bettors from taking McCarthy to surpass the passing mark, either.
The Huskies have allowed over 200 passing yards in all but three games this season, and Washington opponents are averaging 267 passing yards per outing.
Rome Odunze OVER 89.5 Receiving Yards (DraftKings)
When Penix looks to add to his 4,648 passing yards in the national championship game, he’ll target WR Rome Odunze. The junior receiver from Las Vegas, Nevada, leads the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,553), and receiving TDs (15). He’s also logged 37 rushing yards this season with a score on the ground, too.
While Michigan’s passing defense is among the stingiest in the country, the Wolverines have allowed multiple teams to surpass 240 yards in the air over their past four games. Both Maryland and Ohio State did, and both teams had a player net 80 or more receiving yards.
Expect Odunze to continue this trend, eclipsing the 89.5-yard mark to cover this player prop bet.
Roman Wilson Anytime TD Scorer (+155) (BetRivers)
McCarthy’s favorite target this season is Michigan WR Roman Wilson. The senior from Honolulu, Hawaii, leads the team in receptions (45), receiving yards (735), and receiving TDs (12). His career stats are somewhat misleading in a run-oriented offense as Wilson has only 104 career catches for 1,653 yards and 20 receiving TDs.
In the final game before Wilson leaves for the NFL, expect the Wolverines to find a way for their four-year athlete to score. Wilson has secured one TD reception in each of his team’s two biggest victories – against Ohio State and Alabama – this season.
Bettors will be rewarded for taking Wilson to cover this player prop bet.
Best Bet: Michigan (-4.5)
All year long, the Wolverines have punished their opponents with a bruising run game and strong defense. Against Washington, bettors should expect the same thing. Michigan's defensive line proved against Alabama that they can get pressure on any type of QB.
Michigan has won every game this year by six or more points, so predicting the Wolverines will cover this spread against the Huskies is the safest wager bettors can take for the national championship game. Let's lay the points with Big Blue! Good luck!
