Joel Klatt is tied into college football like few people as one of the prominent broadcasters in the sport. He’s got his eyes on the Week 6 slate, including a prediction for Saturday’s big-time matchup in Washington.

Michigan and Washington, the two teams to play for the national title last season, will meet for the first time as Big Ten opponents Saturday night. However, those two teams are on different trajectories so far this season.

“Michigan, based on the AP Poll, is a top 10 team. Washington is unranked and yet Washington is favored in this one by 2.5 (points),” said Klatt.

That line has since moved to Washington -1.5 at bet365, but the Huskies serving as the favorite is significant. How did we get to that point?

Klatt points to Washington’s overall performance against Rutgers as a game the Huskies should have won and Michigan’s string of close wins:

“Washington in their last game really should have beat Rutgers. Meanwhile, Michigan has eked out back-to-back 3-point wins over USC and Minnesota,” Klatt described. “They almost blew those leads in both of those games in the 2nd half, and the question becomes can Michigan continue to win with minimal to no downfield passing?”

As for the defending champions, Klatt wants to see a defined run game between three plays. It would include quarterback Alex Orji receiving 10-12 carries a game, Kalel Mullings with 14-18 carries a game, and Donovan Edwards with 8-12 carries a game.

“I think that’s where they would be best in the run game,” said Klatt.

Overall, the FOX broadcaster is riding with Washington at home. The extra aspect of travel could be the item that swings this game in favor of the Huskies.

“I like Washington in this game. I really do. The 2nd half of each of the last 2 games for Michigan, the fact that they had no margin for error,” Klatt said. “… I think Washington wins.”