Washington vs Michigan Odds and Picks

• Michigan hosts Washington in Week 2 on Saturday, September 11th at 8:00 PM EST
• The Wolverines dominated Western Michigan in Week 1, while the Huskies were upset by the Montana Grizzlies out of the Big Sky
• Read below for the odds, game preview and betting picks

Week 2 of the 2021 College Football season features a marquee non-conference showdown between Pac-12 and Big Ten opponents. Washington and Michigan square off at the Big House on Saturday, September 11th at 8:00 PM EST. ABC will carry the broadcast.

The Wolverines are favored by almost a touchdown after opening as -4.5 favorites. Bettors are fading the Huskies following the team’s shocking Week 1 upset loss to FCS Montana.

Can Jim Harbaugh’s team cover the spread against a reeling Washington program?

Washington vs Michigan Odds

Odds as of Sept 10th at FanDuel

Huskies Stunned By Montana 

Washington is being faded by bettors in Week 2 after suffering a shocking upset loss to Montana in Week 1. The Grizzlies are an FCS program that didn’t have a season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Montana fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter but scored 13 unanswered points to win the game. It was the first time since 2016 that an FSC team has beaten a ranked FBS opponent.

A stunner in Seattle!@MontanaGrizFB ruins No. 20 Washington's opener 😤 pic.twitter.com/ggkEE6swob

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 5, 2021

Washington looked uninspired under second-year coach Jimmy Lake, and failed to get anything going offensively. Huskies QB Dylan Morris threw three interceptions and the run game only managed 65 rushing yards. Montana is a quality FCS program, but the Huskies were whopping 22.5-point favorites and playing at home at Husky Stadium.

Washington’s defense was the only highlight from Week 1, as they held the Grizzlies to 232 total yards. The run defense still needs improvement, as they gave up 127 yards to the Grizzlies, including a 38-yard TD run. UW’s rush defense finished seventh in the Pac-12 last season and took a big hit this offseason when outside linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui went down with injury.

Wolverines Dominate Broncos 

Unlike their Week 2 opponent, Michigan took care of business against an inferior opponent in Week 1. The Wolverines were 16.5-point favorites against Western Michigan and beat the Broncos by a 47-14 score. QB Cade McNamara passed for 136 yards and two touchdowns, while Blake Corum rushed for 111 yards and two scores.

Highest-graded Power Five QBs in Week 1:

1. Cade McNamara, Michigan – 93.0
2. Adrian Martinez, Nebraska – 92.3
3. Will Levis, Kentucky – 92.0
4. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh – 91.2
5. Bo Nix, Auburn – 90.1 pic.twitter.com/eeOKvTI1lq

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 5, 2021

The big storyline from Michigan’s victory was an injury to WR Ronnie Bell. Michigan’s leading receiver from 2020 suffered a knee injury in the game and will miss the rest of the season. This is a massive loss, but the Wolverines have players who can step up. McNamara connected with eight different receivers in the opener, including Jackson State transfer Daylen Baldwin, who finished with 67 yards.

Michigan is experienced defensively in 2021 and started strong under new coordinator Mike Macdonald. The Wolverines held the Broncos’ high-powered offense to 317 yards, forcing them to punt seven times in the process. Michigan put plenty of pressure on dual-threat pivot Kaleb Eleby and got a strip sack from star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

Washington vs Michigan Best Bet 

Week 1 overreaction is all-too common, but this is an instance where the line movement is warranted. Washington is coming off one of its most embarrassing losses in program history, while Michigan impressed in Week 1. The Huskies are traveling all the way to Ann Arbor, where the Wolverines are an impressive 14-4-0 at Michigan Stadium since 2018.

There's nothing like being under the lights.

Some of our players share how it feels to play in the Big House at night.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/hThKTaGykY

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 9, 2021

Losing Bell is tough for Michigan, but there are other receivers who can pick up the slack. Michigan should run the ball more in Bell’s absence, which is something they can do with Corum and senior Hassan Haskins in the backfield. Washington’s run game struggled in Week 1 and is yet to utilize senior Sean McGrew. It’ll struggle again facing a Michigan defense that only allowed 3.9 yards per carry vs WMU.

McNamara may not be an overly flashy QB, but he’s shown over the past two years that he can take care of the football. UW’s Morris is turnover-prone and doesn’t have the talent around him to compensate for those issues. Look for Michigan’s defense to bring the pressure and for McNamara to make a few big throws to lead the Wolverines to a low-scoring victory.

• Pick: Michigan -6.5 (-122), Under 48.5 (-106)