Washington-Michigan: Prop Bets for the CFP National Championship

This Monday night, the college football national title is up for grabs in Houston, Texas.

With two incredible programs in the Michigan Wolverines (14-0) and Washington Huskies (14-0) at hand, it will surely be a spectacle on the gridiron. On Thursday, I dropped my CFP National Championship best bet among the traditional game markets, but we also have plenty of props to sift through at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Player props can be useful in a variety of ways -- from taking advantage of them straight up in betting markets to measuring a player's potential to produce in daily fantasy football on FanDuel. Here, we're going to focus on the former.

Provided in this article are four prop bets on the 2023-24 CFP National Championship that look appealing.

All college football odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Lines may change after this article is published.

CFP National Championship Prop Bets

Read here for game info and how to watch.

J.J. McCarthy Over 190.5 Passing Yards (-114)

As a Heisman hopeful for a majority of the season, Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy had himself a very fine campaign. McCarthy's production may have tapered off some in the deep water of the schedule, but his overall QBR (89.5) still resulted in the third-best mark in FBS. With U-M recently going through defenses like the Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes, Iowa Hawkeyes and Alabama Crimson Tide, that figure is quite impressive.

In last Monday's Rose Bowl against 'Bama, McCarthy managed to pass for well over his current prop of 190.5 yards, amassing 221 through the air with three scores. Averaging 203.6 passing yards per game (YPG), J.J. has eclipsed 191 passing yards in 57.1% of his starts this season. His single-game high came back in early November versus the Purdue Boilermakers, compiling 335 yards on 24 completions.

Compared to Michigan's recent competition, the Huskies' defensive backfield is slightly more porous. Washington has allowed 267.1 passing YPG to opponents through 14 games. For reference, Alabama and Iowa were both a bit stingier this year, allowing less than 195 YPG through the air.

In a game I anticipate being fairly close, the two quarterbacks on display may push each other to bring out the best. For McCarthy, I think he gets over the somewhat-low bar of 190.5 passing yards in the natty.

Rome Odunze Any Time Touchdown Scorer (-135)

Arguably the most prolific receiver in Division I this past season (yes, Ohio State and LSU supporters will beg to differ), junior Rome Odunze has been a perpetual highlight. As the favorite target of star signal-caller Michael Penix Jr., Odunze and the southpaw quarterback have connected for 13 touchdowns in 2023 (tied for sixth in the nation). Additionally, the 6-foot-3 receiver has contributed one more score on the ground.

Odunze has found the end zone six times over the past five games. Additionally, he has gone for more than 100 receiving yards in every contest over that stretch. Odunze to go for at least 100 yards in the national title bid is actually one leg of FanDuel Sportsbook's College Football National Championship Same Game Parlay of the Night. If you like that yardage prop, as well, check out the exclusive SGP pertaining to Odunze, Penix and Michigan halfback Blake Corum (see FanDuel Sportsbook for all SGP stipulations).

For me, I don't doubt that Odunze goes for triple digits in the yardage category (he averages 110.9 YPG), I simply prefer a scoring prop in a game such as this. Regardless of whichever fashion this contest is played in (slow and physical like Michigan wants or fast and furious as UDub prefers), Odunze's scoring play can literally come at any moment or phase of game, whether it is a tight moment or garbage time.

The 2019 Nevada Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year has the size and skills to thrive at the wideout spot on Sundays. I believe Odunze reminds the national audience of that this coming Monday -- look for him in the end zone.

Blake Corum First Touchdown Scorer (+300)

Speaking of scoring, Blake Corum, Michigan's gritty tailback, has produced more touchdowns than any non-quarterback in FBS this year. Corum has gotten into the end zone on 26 occasions in the current campaign, contributing to his 45 total touchdowns over the past two seasons.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, Corum's Any Time TD prop is labeled with -340 odds. However, given the frequency in which he puts six on the scoreboard, Michigan's all-time touchdown leader is a fair bet for the first TD scorer of the upcoming national title game.

If Corum is the initial player to produce a touchdown on Monday evening, his supporters will cash-in at three-to-one odds, which feels worth the dart play in my opinion. More precisely, Corum has cashed the first TD market eight times already this season, which equates to a 57.1% win rate.

Each Team to Score 1+ Pass TD & 1+ Rush TD (+105)

A FanDuel Sportsbook Specials market, here is an intriguing prop priced at even money. To win here, both Washington and Michigan must score a touchdown in rushing fashion and a touchdown through the air.

For starters, the Wolverines have notched a rushing TD in every single contest this campaign, so there's that. Next, thanks to the precision of Penix, UW has outputted at least one passing touchdown in 12 of 14 games (85.7%) thus far. These are the modus operandi of the respective teams.

In terms of rushing scores for Washington, the Huskies have a talented running back in Dillon Johnson (16 TDs), and the team has blasted through the goal line on the ground in every bid except Week 8 at the Arizona State Sun Devils.

With that, the ultimate wrinkle here in this collaborative special prop appears to be coming from Michigan's passing game.

Wolverine quarterback McCarthy is undoubtedly a gifted thrower of the football (exemplified by his 73.2% completion clip), but the junior has four different contests this season where he failed to toss a single touchdown. Even still, that means McCarthy has registered a passing TD in 71.4% of games this year. As a bit of extra help, a trick-play through the air from any other player qualifies here, as well.

If you are searching for a fun approach at an even-money wager on college's game of the year (because, who isn't?), this combo prop could be your best play.

If you're betting on Monday's CFB National Championship, you can take advantage of FanDuel Sportsbook's 30% Profit Boost Token, which can be used on any CFP Title Game bet, including Same Game Parlays. Check the promotions page for more info.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.