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CFP National Championship betting: Tips, picks for Michigan vs. Washington

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CFP National Championship betting: Tips, picks for Michigan vs. Washington


The College Football Playoff National Championship game features two of the best teams in the nation as J.J. McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines take on Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium in Houston. Who will win their first CFP title on Monday? What are the best prop bets to consider?

Dalen Cuff, Kevin Pulsifer and Tyler Fulghum offer thoughts and betting tips for the championship game.


No. 1 Michigan opened as a 5-point favorite over No. 2 Washington in Houston at ESPN BET. What are your thoughts on the current line for this game, and who do you like in this matchup?

Cuff: I loved Washington in the semifinal with the points, and now I’m still on the Huskies but with not as much confidence. The public is on them now, and that always concerns me. I think UW’s offensive line (which won the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best OL) can protect Michael Penix Jr., who is the superior QB with vastly superior playmakers. The big question for me is: Can the Huskies hold up on the defensive line? I think the Wolverines will be able to run the ball, but this game will still be tight, and I’ll take the points with the Huskies.

Pulsifer: I finally turned the corner on the Huskies last week, just in time for them to pull another upset. When it happens once, it’s notable. When it happens twice, it’s a trend. Washington has now gone 5-0 as an underdog in the past two seasons, and I expect the Huskies to cover as long as their offensive line can give Penix enough time to find Rome Odunze & Co. downfield.

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Fulghum: I think this number undervalues Washington a bit. Michigan deserves to be the favorite, but perhaps something closer to a field goal is more appropriate. All Washington does is win games and score points. They have an elite quarterback, maybe the best offensive line in the country and three NFL-caliber wide receivers to throw to. I not only like Washington with the points but wouldn’t be shocked at all if it wins this game outright because of its superior offensive ability.

The over/under total for Michigan-Washington is currently set at 55.5. With both teams scoring over 35 points per game during the regular season, should bettors expect another high-scoring affair in the national championship, or is the under a more intriguing option?

Cuff: As I mentioned above, I think the Wolverines can run and the Huskies can throw. The over in the CFP National Championship game is 7-2 historically. I think winner of this game is in the 30s and the loser is close behind, within a field goal, so the over is the play.

Pulsifer: I’m going to follow Dalen’s lead here with the over, although I think this total hinges on the first few drives. If Penix can capitalize with a big play or two early, it will speed up Michigan and the entire game will shift into overdrive. Washington needs to throw the first punch or the final score will end in the low 20s.

Fulghum: I prefer the under here. Michigan’s dominant defense and ability to run the football are likely going to create a game environment that is far less fertile than what Washington is used to playing in. Again, I firmly believe the Huskies can score on Michigan, just not as prolifically as other opponents. I feel like this game could have a 27-24 type of final score.

What is your favorite prop bet for Monday night’s game?

Cuff: Ja’Lynn Polk over 51.5 receiving yards. Clearly, I’m on the Huskies being able to throw the ball, but Michigan is extremely well coached and will focus on taking away Rome Odunze, so I think the other receivers, particularly Polk, can have a day. He has had 52 yards or more in every game except one this year, and I think that trend will continue with defensive attention focused elsewhere.

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Pulsifer: J.J. McCarthy over 196.5 passing yards (-118). I know he went under this line in four straight games prior to the Alabama matchup, but he was dealing with an injury and facing elite Big Ten defenses in grind-it-out affairs. I think Jim Harbaugh knows he can’t play keep-away for 60 minutes, and 12 of 14 Washington opponents threw for 196-plus passing yards.

Fulghum: Michael Penix Jr. under 39.5 pass attempts (-122). Penix has only eclipsed this number four times this season in 13 games. His high-water mark is 42 attempts. Couple that with the fact that Michigan runs a ball-control type of offense that can limit possession time for the Huskies and this becomes an even stronger bet.



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Alaska Airlines comments on holiday-week disruption concerns due to Washington pipeline leak

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Alaska Airlines comments on holiday-week disruption concerns due to Washington pipeline leak


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Alaska Airlines said it does not expect any disruption in operation through this holiday week because of a leak in a pipeline in Washington, which is raising concern it could impact jet fuel supplies at Seattle and Portland airports.

“We are working to mitigate a potential impact from the Olympic Pipeline fuel leak,” Alaska Airlines wrote to Alaska’s News Source Sunday. “To ensure our scheduled service is maintained without significant disruption, we have implemented contingency plans.”

The contingency plans include tankering in fuel on inbound flights to Seattle, and tech stops on certain routes to conserve fuel. It’s also maintaining and expanding its trucking operation to bring in additional fuel, the airline said.

The airline said tech stops are “a stop at an airport along a flight’s route to add more fuel onboard. The passengers stay onboard.”

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The Associated Press is reporting that officials say Portland International Airport does not expect any problems because it can bring in jet fuel on a barge.

The pipeline system has been down since Monday, but there have been intermittent shutoffs since Nov. 11, the Associated Press reported.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com



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WTOP previews Washington Spirit’s NWSL championship game against Gotham FC – WTOP News

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WTOP previews Washington Spirit’s NWSL championship game against Gotham FC – WTOP News


The Washington Spirit will face Gotham FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern for the NWSL championship game.

WTOP’s José Umaña previews the Washington Spirit as they prepare to take on Gotham FC for the NWSL championship in San Jose, California, Saturday night.

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All eyes will be on the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League championship game Saturday, as the Washington Spirit takes on Gotham FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.

The game kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern, and is airing on CBS or streaming online. It’s expected to be a close matchup.

The match marks Washington’s second consecutive appearance in the finals, after losing to Orlando last year in Kansas City, and the fourth overall in franchise history.

The No. 2-seeded Spirit last won the championship in 2021, when it bested the Chicago Red Stars in extra time.

Fans have eagerly awaited the Spirit-Gotham rematch, as the two teams hold a longtime rivalry.

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For Gotham FC, the team is looking to make history by becoming the lowest seed ever to win the title after beating top-seeded Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride in the playoffs.

Washington’s Trinity Rodman may be playing her last game in the league because of salary cap constraints. On the other side, Gotham fans will be watching the team’s Esther González, who has scored 13 goals this season.

WTOP’s Washington Spirit Beat Reporter, José Umaña, joined WTOP anchor Ian Crawford for a preview of the game.

The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

Stay with WTOP for the latest developments in Saturday’s championship game.

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  • Ian Crawford:

    The Washington Spirit take a shot at their second NWSL championship in five years when they meet Gotham FC tonight in San Jose. WTOP’s José Umaña — our alcalde de Fútbol — joins us with a closer look at how the team is prepping for the big game.

  • José Umaña:

    Head Coach Adrián González said yesterday that the team have been trying to keep it loose, keep it normal. For any media member or a fan who’s been at a training session, the Spirit, especially in these last couple of weeks, has tried to remain loose. They said they learned from last year’s final where they were too focused on what Marta could do and what Orlando could do, as they were the No. 1 team in the league that year.

    This year, the Spirit are way more relaxed and are much less tense. They talked about using a sports psychologist and trying to find ways to keep their friendly atmosphere going. They played a weird version of dodge ball a couple of days ago and right before the semifinal, and last night before the media availability yesterday, they were apparently listening to Daddy Yankee the entire time as they worked out. So very chill vibes to keep it loose and keep the focus at hand, which is the final.

  • Ian Crawford:

    Now again, this kind of plays against what I was talking about before, with the great turnaround that the team had over the summer. Is some of that momentum kind of building with them going into the final?

  • José Umaña:

    Yeah, right after the summer break there was a coaching change, as I mentioned. It’s no longer Jonatan Giráldez. It’s now Adrián González, who was the assistant, and he really tried to bring more of an uplifting, relaxed attitude while the team continued playing more of an aggressive attacking style.

    They went on a 14-game unbeaten run between August all the way to mid October, and the team has really gelled — it’s found its groove. Last week, Croix Bethune, the midfielder who wasn’t able to play in last year’s final, said their semifinal match against Portland was the best game they played. But she believes they’re not peaking yet. So that’s some positive vibes that you don’t expect to hear from a player — that they believe they can go even higher as they play in a semifinal now heading into a final.

  • Ian Crawford:

    How much will the Spirit be missing the rowdy Audi Field advantage when they go to San Jose tonight?

  • José Umaña:

    It’s a huge advantage. The Spirit are 6 for 6 playing at Audi Field in front of that fan base.

    Even though there was a large contingent of Spirit fans at the neutral site game in Kansas City for last year’s championship, they will be missing that (home field).

    But for those who remember, and you kind of brought it up, in the beginning half the season, the Spirit were much better on the road than they were playing at home. There was a little bit of anxiety playing at home until the coaching change. They still were, even after the coaching change, a road-based team that could perform well. And if they start the game off on the right foot, going in on the attack and trusting their 3-forward line, there will be problems for Gotham.

  • Ian Crawford:

    Now we all know about Trinity Rodman, who is probably playing her last game in the Spirit kit. Who else should we watch for tonight? You mentioned Croix Bethune? Who else?

  • José Umaña:

    Yeah, I would definitely look out for NWSL Defender of the Year Tara McKeown. Not only has she transitioned in the last three years from attacker, playing striker, looking for the eye to the goal, but she’s now a defender, being the key cog in that defense and limiting attacks. She has also been a part of the attack. She essentially becomes what in our sport, we call an 8 — she becomes another midfielder, moving the ball aggressively and making key passes to restart the attack and bringing the ball so much so that she doesn’t even mind taking a shot.

    If she gets the ball early on and often, she may create problems for that Gotham midfield that likes to hold on to the ball, if she’s able to be aggressive right away. And look, if this game goes to penalty kicks, which I hope not, I think Spirit fans would like to avoid another heart attack.

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Man shot by Chicago police in Washington Park charged with assault, unlawful possession of a firearm

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Man shot by Chicago police in Washington Park charged with assault, unlawful possession of a firearm


A man shot by Chicago police earlier this week in the Washington Park neighborhood has been charged with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said two officers in an unmarked squad car spotted 26-year-old Anthony Nelson leaving a liquor store near 57th and Michigan on Tuesday morning. Police said the officers believed Nelson had a gun, and he ran off when they tried to question him.

Cook County prosecutors said, as he was running away, Nelson dropped the gun he was carrying, and then picked it up again, despite orders not to touch it. Police said that’s when an officer shot Nelson.

Nelson suffered a graze wound to the abdomen and the right arm and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said.

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On Thursday, Nelson was charged with one felony count of aggravated assault of a police officer and one felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The officer who fired the shot was also taken to an area hospital. A gun was recovered at the scene, police said.  

At Nelson’s first court appearance on Thursday, a judge ordered him held at Cook County Jail while he awaits trial.

“Ain’t nobody perfect out here. We’ve done things and we’ve made mistakes,” Nelson’s mother, Shalene Foster, said after her son’s hearing.

Thursday was Nelson’s birthday.

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“He got to go through this on today of him making 26 years old,” Foster said. “It’s like an empty space in my heart right now. … There’s a lot of mothers that’s tired too. We’re tired. We’re tired of this.”

Nelson has an extensive criminal history that began when he was 19. He has been convicted twice before of felony weapons charges, and was on patrol at the time of his arrest, according to court records.

He is due back in court on Nov. 26.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was investigating the shooting, and the officer who shot Nelson has been placed on administrative duty for 30 days, which is typical protocol for COPA investigations.

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