Two undefeated teams, Washington and Michigan, meet in the College Football Championship

Whatever your opinion is regarding the College Football Playoff, it did produce the two best teams in the nation Monday evening. A pair of the 14-0 teams in the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines and No. 2 Washington Huskies decide the season.

Washington ended its final Pac-12 season perfect, beating the Oregon Ducks to win the conference title, then whipping the Texas Longhorns, 37-31, inside the Superdome in the Sugar Bowl New Year’s Night. 

Michigan downed the archrival Ohio St. Buckeyes to win the Big Ten East, then emasculated West-champion the Iowa Hawkeyes in the title game. Michigan needed a rally and overtime to get past the Alabama Crimson Tide, 27-20, in Pasadena, stamping its ticket to this game. 

It’s the potent offense of the Huskies against the vaunted defense of the Wolverines. 

Michigan is a 4.5 point favorite (total at 56), according to college football odds. The moneyline is Wolverines -185, Huskies at +160.

Michigan is leading the all-time series, 8-5 (winning last two in Ann Arbor).

Huskies’ Passing Test

The Washington Huskies of coach Kalen DeBoer are not all that surprising, one of the supreme offenses (37.6 points/game, ninth in nation) in college football. 

Sixth-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (4.648 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, nine interceptions) riddled the Texas Longhorns (430 yards, two touchdowns) and has played well in the latter part of the season (nine touchdowns, two interceptions in last five). 

Wide receivers Rome Odunze (87 receptions, 1,553 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Ja’lynn Polk (65 receptions, 1,122 yards, nine touchdowns) are the targets of choice. 

There may or may not be an issue with leading rusher Dillon Johnson (1,162 yards, 16 touchdowns), who reaggravated an injury against Texas. 

Somewhat porous defensively (24.1 points/game), Washington surrendered nearly 500 yards (498, to be exact) against the Longhorns.

Wolverines’ Stingy Defense

If the Washington Huskies do their bidding with offense, then the Michigan Wolverines make their mark with their defense. Perhaps that’s somewhat odd on a team coached by former quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

Michigan surrenders 10.2 points/game and 244½ yards/game, both fewest in the nation. 

A bit of a chink in the armor against Alabama, Michigan yielded 10 points in the final quarter, eventually losing the lead. It took a late, prolonged drive to get the game even and force overtime, where the Wolverines finally prevailed.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (2,851 yards, 22 touchdowns, four interceptions) had three touchdown passes against the Crimson Tide, while record-setting running back Blake Corum (1,111 yards, 25 touchdowns) had 83 yards and a touchdown against ‘Bama.

Michigan has 36 ground touchdowns this season.

Pilfer the Points

There are any number of the alternative wagering options in this game, as per Michigan vs. Washington bets.

There’s a reason both of these teams have yet to lose this season, and whether an elite offense (Washington) gets the better of the nation’s premier defense (Michigan).

Michigan struggled moving the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide (until it matters), but will find a softer unit in the Huskies. Washington, meanwhile, figures to move the needle, even against the Maize and Blue. 

Michigan will win its first national title since 1997, but Washington (+4½) figures to keep it close,