[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The Northwestern Wildcats (2-1) travel to meet the Washington Huskies (2-1) Saturday at Husky Stadium in Seattle for the Big Ten opener for both sides. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Northwestern vs. Washington odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Wildcats suffered a rough 26-20 loss in 2OT against Duke Sept. 6 at home. It rebounded with a 31-7 win over FCS Eastern Illinois last Saturday, but Northwestern failed to cover as a 26-point favorite. The Wildcats are now 1-2 against the spread (ATS), and the Under has cashed in 2 of 3 outings.
The Huskies play their 1st-ever Big Ten conference game against the Wildcats after moving from the Pac-12 this past offseason.
Washington is coming off a disappointing 24-19 loss to rival Washington State in the Apple Cup game in Seattle last weekend. The Huskies had difficulty trying to corral QB John Mateer of Wazzu. The Under has cashed in all 3 games for the Huskies so far, allowing just 16.5 PPG in 2 games against FBS opponents.
The Wildcats aren’t nearly as set under center, as QB Jack Lausch takes over as the new starter over Vandy transfer QB Mike Wright.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Northwestern at Washington odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated 9:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Northwestern +360 (bet $100 to win $360) | Washington -480 (bet $480 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northwestern +12 (-110) | Washington -12 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 42.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Northwestern at Washington picks and predictions
Prediction
Washington 30, Northwestern 16
Moneyline
Washington (-480) will cost you 5 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward.
Over the long haul, betting such heavy favorites is a losing betting strategy, and not recommended on a regular basis, either straight up or as part of a multi-leg parlay.
AVOID.
Against the spread
Play WASHINGTON -12 (-110) laying the points, as it is going to be awfully ornery after losing to its rivals last weekend at Lumen Field.
This is a historic game, too, and the Huskies will want to get off on the right foot in Big Ten play under new coach Jedd Fisch. QB Will Rogers has completed 77.1% of his passes for 825 yards, 6 TD and 0 INT, while hooking up with WR Giles Jackson for 24 receptions, 326 yards and 1 TD.
The Huskies aren’t a pass-only team, though, as RB Jonah Coleman is a handful. He is averaging 7.5 yards per attempt, piling up a team-best 306 rushing yards and 3 TD.
The Wildcats don’t have the same kind of offensive talent or depth, and it will show in the 2nd half when the Huskies pull away.
Over/Under
OVER 42.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under has cashed in 2 of 3 games for Northwestern, and the offense is averaging just 16.5 PPG in 2 games against FBS opponents.
For Washington, it is averaging 24.5 PPG in 2 games against FBS foes, while holding teams to 16.5 PPG.
Northwestern will have trouble moving the ball and scoring, but Washington should do enough to get this one across the finish line for an Over result.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire / High School
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]