Washington vs Michigan Prediction, Pick & Line – Big Noon Kickoff

• Michigan hosts Washington in Ann Arbor in College Football Week 8
• The Huskies are looking to get their third-straight win when they face the Wolverines on Saturday
• See our Washington vs Michigan prediction, pick and line for Big Noon Kickoff

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After suffering their second loss of the season, Michigan returns home to the Big House for a quick turnaround as they host the 5-1 Washington Huskies. The Wolverines are coming off a disappointing 31-13 loss on the West Coast to the USC Trojans.

Meanwhile, Washington bounced back after a tough 24-6 defeat to Ohio State – their first loss of the season. The Huskies have since won two straight and are carrying momentum into this Big Ten conference matchup.

Kickoff is set for noon ET in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with coverage on FOX.

Let’s dive into my Washington vs. Michigan prediction, pick, and betting line for Big Noon Kickoff.

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Washington vs Michigan Prediction 

• Spread Prediction: Washington +5.5 (-110)

I’m backing the Huskies to keep this competitive in Ann Arbor. Williams is the better quarterback in this matchup, and Michigan hasn’t impressed against quality opponents this season.

The Wolverines are hard to get a clear read on. They lost 24-13 at Oklahoma, eked out a sluggish 30-27 win over Nebraska in Lincoln, and were soundly beaten by USC, 31-13, on the West Coast. They’ve handled business in games they were expected to win, but Washington presents a different challenge entirely.

The Huskies rank 4th nationally in offensive EPA per play. That’s elite firepower. Defensively, they’re more vulnerable at 79th in defensive EPA per play and 48th in success rate allowed. However, Washington has made massive strides stopping the run compared to last season – allowing just 83.2 rushing yards per game, a 78.6-yard improvement from 2024.

Big opportunity… ☔ pic.twitter.com/smOA1fMdbv

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) October 17, 2025

Michigan’s offensive game plan is clear: lean on star tailback Justice Haynes while limiting how much true freshman Bryce Underwood throws. Underwood averages just 15.3 completions on 25.7 attempts per game for 201.7 passing yards, with a 5:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Haynes has been outstanding, averaging 7.4 yards per carry with eight touchdowns on 95 attempts for 705 yards. He leads all FBS players with five rushes of 40-plus yards this season. His status is in question for Saturday after he was sidelined for the entire second half of last week’s game with a mid-body injury.

Whether or not Haynes suits up is critical – his presence fundamentally shapes Michigan’s offensive identity. The good news for Washington? They rank 16th nationally in rush success rate allowed and 23rd in EPA per rush, which could neutralize Michigan’s ground-heavy attack.

Justice Haynes in uniform with helmet on, sitting on an exercise bike, on the Michigan sideline now pic.twitter.com/HwY8qNVsmv

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) October 12, 2025

On the flip side, the Huskies thrive through the air with sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. He’s been highly efficient, completing 74% of his passes for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just one interception. Williams also brings dual-threat ability, rushing for 382 yards and four touchdowns on 74 carries.

Williams leads all FBS players with 10 rushes of 20-plus yards and his six deep-ball touchdowns (passes of 20-plus air yards) rank tied for sixth nationally. He’s capable of attacking defenses at every level.

That could spell trouble for Michigan’s defense, which ranks 97th in pass success rate allowed and 61st in EPA per pass play. Underwood completes only 33.3% of his passes when under pressure and performs significantly better at home (66.7% completion) than on the road (51.4%).

Huskies vs Wolverines Pick

• Best Bet: Washington +5.5 (-110)

When select betting markets opened this game over the summer, the Wolverines were as high as 9.5-point favorites, and the total was as low as 47.5. The line has shifted dramatically – Michigan now sits at -5.5 and the total has soared to 51.5.

I expect a higher-scoring affair given both teams’ defensive weaknesses. Washington has outscored opponents by 70 points in the fourth quarter this season – the largest differential in the FBS. The Huskies have allowed only 10 fourth-quarter points all season.

Huskies face the Wolverines in the Big House for Big Noon Saturday 🤩@UW_Football at @UMichFootball, 12pm ET on FOX! pic.twitter.com/uYehR5ErM8

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 17, 2025

The key matchup advantage lies at quarterback. Williams’ dual-threat ability gives Washington a significant edge at the most important position. His ball security (just one interception) and efficiency demonstrate the kind of precision that can exploit Michigan’s vulnerable pass defense.

Michigan’s struggles against quality opponents are concerning. They haven’t shown they can compete when facing top-tier talent. While the Big House provides home-field advantage, I’m not convinced it’s enough to overcome their offensive limitations with a true freshman quarterback.

Washington won 27-17 at home last season and has a chance to become the first team to beat an opponent twice in consecutive seasons after avenging a CFP Championship Game loss. The Huskies are looking to start 3-0 on the road after going 0-5 away from home last season.

Even if Michigan wins outright, I expect Washington to keep it within a touchdown. The Huskies’ offense is too potent to be contained, and getting nearly a touchdown with the live underdog offers excellent value.

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Washington vs Michigan Line

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook as of 11:00 pm ET on Oct. 17.

Michigan is favored by 5.5 points at home with standard -110 juice on both sides of the spread. The Wolverines’ moneyline sits at -205, meaning you’d need to risk $205 to win $100 on a straight-up Michigan victory.

Washington offers significantly more value on the moneyline at +172, returning $172 on a $100 wager if the Huskies pull off the upset. For bettors who believe this will be a close game, the underdog moneyline provides solid upside.

The total is set at 51.5 points with standard -110 odds on both sides. This represents a notable shift from the opening total of 47.5 over the summer, as oddsmakers have adjusted their projections based on both teams’ defensive struggles through seven weeks.