The Michigan Wolverines may be 4-1 on the season and No. 10 team in the country, but bettors aren’t confident in their chances against unranked Washington this weekend and have installed them as underdogs. But even though the odds are nearly even, it’s still an historic decision by Las Vegas.
According to ESPN gambling analyst David Payne Purdum, Michigan are 2.5-point underdogs against the Huskies this weekend. They are the first top 10 defending national champions since Division I split between FBS and FCS to be underdogs against an unranked team.
“No. 10 Michigan is a 2.5-point underdog at Washington on Saturday. It’s the first time since the 1978 FBS/FCS split that a reigning national champion ranked in the top 10 has been an underdog to an unranked team. (h/t @MackNova),” Purdum wrote.
No. 10 Michigan is a 2.5-point underdog at Washington on Saturday.
It’s the first time since the 1978 FBS/FCS split that a reigning national champion ranked in the top 10 has been an underdog to an unranked team. (h/t @MackNova)
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) October 3, 2024
Michigan started the season as the No. 9 team in the nation but fell to No. 17 and then to No. 18 following their loss to Texas and an unconvincing win over Arkansas State. They rose back to No. 12 after beating USC and back to No. 10 with their win over Minnesota last week.
Washington, meanwhile, have had a hard time adjusting to life post-Kalen DeBoer and Michael Penix Jr. They’re 3-2 on the season and have lost two of their last three games.
With a margin this small, it’s clear that bettors aren’t expecting the same 21-point blowout that the Wolverines subjected the Huskies to last year.
Will Michigan prove the doubters wrong and get the win?
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