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The College Football Playoff semi-final games are roughly three weeks away, but it’s never too early to start scouring betting markets for the highly anticipated matchups.

One CFP odds market gaining popularity involves wagering on the exact result of the National Championship. This straightforward betting option requires you to select which teams will meet in the championship and who will come out on top.

College Football Playoff exact result odds: Michigan defeats Texas in the National Championship (+360 or better)

The Wolverines taking down the Longhorns features the shortest odds in the CFP exact result market. Michigan jumped to the No. 1 spot in the final rankings following Georgia’s loss in the SEC Championship.

Regardless of the opponent, wagering on Big Blue to win the National Championship features odds hovering around +175. If you’re also confident Texas will beat Washington, the exact result odds are an excellent way to increase your potential payout.

The Wolverines are -1.5 vs. the Crimson Tide in the semifinals and -120 on the moneyline.

Michigan’s defense promises to be problematic for Alabama’s run-first offense. The Tide averages 172 yards per game on the ground, while Big Blue boasts the sixth-best rushing defense in the nation, allowing an anemic 87 yards per week.

No team allowed fewer points this season than Michigan, and its defense must be on point for the Wolverines to advance to the National Championship.

College Football Playoff exact result odds: Texas defeats Michigan in the National Championship (+550 or better)

Texas overcoming Michigan in the National Championship is the third-most likely scenario based on odds, trailing Michigan defeating Texas (+550) and Alabama defeating Texas (+425). This is the Longhorns’ first appearance in the College Football Playoff since the format’s institution in 2015.

Undefeated Washington is the No. 2 seed, yet sportsbooks have made the Huskies a four-point underdog vs. Texas in the semifinal. Texas’ lone setback this season came in overtime of the Red River Rivalry vs. Oklahoma.

The Longhorns and Huskies’ followed a similar pattern in the second half of the year. Both won a handful of close games down the stretch before winning their conference championships and landing CFP berths.

The key to Texas moving on to the National Championship is limiting Washington’s explosive offense. Michael Penix led the Huskies to an FBS-leading 343 passing yards per game, and the Longhorns surrendered an average of 240 yards through the air, ranked fifth-worst in the Big 12.

Washington RB Dillon Johnson developed nicely as the season progressed, averaging 136 yards and scoring eight touchdowns in the final five games. Texas surrendered the fourth-fewest yards to ball carriers this year, and shutting down Johnson can help UT focus on the Huskies’ aerial attack.

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