One of the most anticipated non-conference matchups of the college football season kicks off on Saturday when the Texas Longhorns visit the Michigan Wolverines. Both teams are 1-0 and have national championship aspirations. Who will emerge with their perfect season still intact?
We’ve got the latest college football betting odds, spread analysis, and a prediction for Texas vs. Michigan ahead of the game.
Texas vs. Michigan Betting Preview
All Texas vs. Michigan odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Sept. 7.
- Spread
Texas -6.5 - Moneyline
Texas -250 / Michigan +205 - Over/Under
41.5 - Game time
Noon ET - Location
Michigan Stadium | Ann Arbor, Mich. - Predicted Weather at Kick
60 degrees, Partly Cloudy - How to Watch
FOX
This one opened as a field goal game in May and has steadily climbed. Texas has gone from -3 to -6.5. Texas originally opened at -165 on the moneyline, which has also climbed to -252.
The total has also been bet down as it opened at 48.5 and now sits at 41.5. That’s a stark drop, heavily factoring in Michigan’s defensive prowess and potential lack of offensive firepower.
With this expected to be one of the most wagered-on games in Week 2 of college football, there is a chance both the side and the total see some fluctuations.
Prediction for Texas vs. Michigan
With the game total set at 41.5, it’s shaping up to be a defensive struggle where points and yards may be hard to come by. If you’re targeting players for explosive offensive performances, you might want to consider other matchups.
That said, this game will still feature some elite talent as two of the nation’s top teams face off.
Quinn Ewers has proven he can produce against even the toughest defenses, as he demonstrated last year by leading the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff Semifinals.
His go-to receiver, Isaiah Bond, remains a solid daily fantasy pick. Bond hauled in five catches on eight targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in last week’s blowout victory over Colorado State.
Michigan’s Donavan Edwards is one of the most electrifying running backs in the country, always a threat for a big game. Despite a rough outing against Fresno State, where he managed just 27 yards on 11 carries, Edwards will be looking to rebound as Michigan aims to dominate the time of possession against Texas.
The matchup between Texas and Michigan is arguably the most anticipated of Week 2. The best matchup on the field will be the high-powered Texas offense going head-to-head with Michigan’s tough, physical defense.
The Wolverines will need to improve on their inconsistent offensive performance from Saturday against Fresno State, or they risk being overwhelmed by Texas’ talent.
Michigan enters the 2024 season with significant changes, losing 13 star players to the NFL Draft, the most of any NCAA program this spring. That list includes standout quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
In addition, Michigan is now led by new head coach Sherrone Moore, who was promoted after serving as the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator the last three years. Moore replaces Jim Harbaugh, who left to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. This will be Moore’s first true test as the head man for the Maize and Blue.
Despite Michigan Stadium providing one of the best home-field advantages in college football, this Steve Sarkisian-led Texas squad is built for this. The Longhorns are a legitimate national title contender led by a veteran quarterback with skill all over the field.
Michigan will struggle to move the football consistently, and if the Wolverines fall behind early, abandoning the running game will make for a very long afternoon.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
The Wolverines are a very good football team in 2024, but Texas is elite.
Prediction: Texas 27, Michigan 13
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