Free Pick: Washington at Michigan ATS Prediction

When: 8 pm ET Saturday, Sept. 11

Where: Michigan Stadium

TV: ABC

CFB betting odds: Wash +6.5/Mich -6.5 (WagerWeb – Move the line 20 points with their GIANT college football teaser bets!)

Over/under: 48.5

It’s a Rose Bowl re-match from the good ol’ days when Washington battles Michigan Saturday night at the Big House in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines got their 2021 season off to a good-enough start with a convincing victory over a lesser foe last week, while Washington laid an egg in an upset loss to an FCS program.

The line on this game, probably influenced by that Huskies result, moved toward Michigan in the early betting action. Who do we like here for our free college football betting pick?

Washington-Michigan Betting Odds

Week 2’s college football betting lines opened Michigan at -5 over Washington, with an over/under of around 51. Early betting action, apparently concerned about U-Dub’s performance last week, then goosed the Wolverines a point and a half, to -6.5, and dropped that total nearly a field goal to 48.5.

Any bettors out there thinking the Huskies have a chance to win this game outright could get upwards of +215 on the college football money line.

Washington-Michigan College Football Betting Preview

The Huskies opened their 2021 season last week with a dismal 13-7 home loss to FCS Montana, although to be somewhat fair, the Grizzlies are a great program. But still, Washington was favored by 22.5 points. The Huskies drove their opening possession of the game 78 yards to a touchdown but got nothing after that. Washington still led 7-3 into the fourth quarter, fell behind by six points, then had a last-gasp drive end with an interception.

The Huskies out-gained Montana 291-232 but lost the turnover battle 3-0, creating a -7 points differential, and twice failed on critical fourth-down situations.

Washington returned 18 starters this season, ten on offense and eight on defense, from that team that played 3-1 last season. And the Huskies went off as the favorites to win the Pac-12 North this year. So was last week just a blip on the screen? Or a trend to be played?

The Wolverines, meanwhile, opened their season last week with a 47-14 win over Western Michigan. Michigan drove its opening possession of the game 75 yards to a touchdown, let the Broncos tie the score at 7-7, then used a 20-0 run to lead 27-7 at the half. The Wolverines then scored the first 20 points out of the locker room on their way toward the victory and the cash as 16.5-point favorites.

Michigan out-gained Western Michigan 551-317 and out-rushed the Broncos 335-126.

The only bad news to come out of last week for the Maize and Blue was the loss of WR/KR Ronnie Bell for the season to a leg injury. And he’ll be missed.

Michigan returned 17 starters this season, ten on offense and seven on defense, from a team that played 2-4 last season and missed a bowl.

Washington-Michigan History

The Wolverines lead the all-time series with the Huskies 7-5, which includes a split of four Rose Bowl battles. But this will be the first meeting between these teams since a 31-29 Michigan victory back in 2002.

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College Football Betting Trends

• Washington is 14-6 SU, 10-10 ATS over its last 20 road games.
• Michigan played 0-3 both SU and ATS at home last season!
• Washington is 6-8 ATS in its last 14 games as an underdog.
• Michigan is 50-22 SU, 33-39 ATS under Coach Harbaugh.

Totals Report

Totals split 2-2 in Huskies games last season, which averaged 55 total points. Then last week’s game against Montana played way under a total of 53.

Overs played 4-2 in Wolverines games last season, which averaged 63 points. Then last week’s game against Western Michigan played under a total of 65.

Free Huskies vs. Wolverines Prediction

Washington is a very good team; bettors will probably be wise to throw last week’s performance in the trash, like a good horse when he runs a bad race. Michigan, meanwhile, looked good last week but lost a key weapon on offense. If this game were the season opener for both teams, the spread would be much closer; in fact, the Huskies might even be favored. We’re taking Washing-ton and the points here and won’t be surprised if U-Dub wins outright. Question: Are you a college kid with a limited budget to bet on games or a man with a wife who spends all your money? If so, this may be of interest to you! “Deposit $25, and get a FREE $50 bet!” Simply register for an account through this special link at Intertops Sportsbook, deposit $25 or more and then enter bonus code ROOKIE200 on their special offers page and the free $50 will magically appear in your balance!