College Football Week 2: Predictions, Odds, and Player Props for Texas vs Michigan

Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) snaps the ball during the game against Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

• We’ve locked in our Texas vs Michigan prediction for CFB Week 2
• The Texas vs Michigan odds favor the Longhorns to win by 7 points
• Read below for Texas vs Michigan prediction, odds and player props

The marquee matchup on the Week 2 college football schedule features the defending national champion No. 10 ranked Michigan Wolverines hosting the No. 3 Texas Longhorns at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

This non-conference clash between two elite programs that made the College Football Playoff last season is sure to have significant implications for this year’s playoff picture. Texas enters the game as a 7.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 42.5 points.

Here is our Texas vs Michigan prediction, along with betting odds and player props to bet on.

Texas vs Michigan Prediction

The Longhorns wasted no time establishing their dominance in the 2024 season, absolutely dismantling Colorado State 52-0 in their opener. Heisman candidate Quinn Ewers was surgical, carving up the Rams’ defense for 260 yards and three touchdowns before taking a seat in the third quarter.

Not to be outdone, uber-talented freshman Arch Manning stepped in and promptly threw for a score and rushed for another. Oh, and let’s not forget about the Texas defense, which suffocated Colorado State to just 192 total yards on the night.

ARCH MANNING WITH HIS FIRST COLLEGIATE TD PASS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nAcXUbyreI

— ESPN (@espn) August 31, 2024

On the flip side, Michigan’s title defense got off to a bit of a shaky start. The Wolverines eventually pulled away for a 30-10 victory over Fresno State, but it was far from pretty.

Davis Warren, tasked with filling the shoes of departed quarterback J.J. McCarthy, looked unsteady in his first career start, completing just 15 of 25 passes for a paltry 118 yards. The usually potent Michigan ground game was also stuck in neutral, averaging a meager 3.4 yards per carry.

While Michigan’s defense did manage to come up with some big plays, including Will Johnson’s 86-yard pick-six, they also showed some vulnerabilities. Fresno State was able to move the ball through the air, and Ewers and his arsenal of weapons should exploit those same weaknesses.

When you consider Texas’ firepower on offense, their swarming defense, and Michigan’s question marks on both sides of the ball, it’s easy to see why the Longhorns are 7.5-point favorites against the defending champs.

Texas simply has too much offensive talent with Ewers at the helm to bet against them here. The Longhorns are 7-3 straight up as a road favorite under Steve Sarkisian, and I think they continue the trend with a comfortable win + cover at the Big House.

Texas-Michigan Pick:

• Longhorns to Cover -7.5 (-105)

Texas vs Michigan Odds

Longhorns Favored in CFB Week 2 Odds

As of now, the wise guys in the desert have tabbed Texas as 7.5-point road favorites over Michigan. That means you’ll have to lay $110 to win $100 if you’re backing the Longhorns, while a $100 bet on the underdog Wolverines would net you a cool $245 if they pull off the upset.

The bookmakers are giving Texas a 75.6% implied probability of winning this game outright, compared to just 29% for Michigan.

Texas takes on Michigan this week on @BNKonFOX 👀

Here’s how these squads stack up 👇 pic.twitter.com/wXgcH9vOB1

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2024

So why are the Longhorns laying more than a touchdown in the Big House? It’s simple – Vegas is enamored with that high-octane Texas offense led by Ewers and a bevy of explosive playmakers. They’re also not sold on Michigan’s ability to keep pace after the Wolverines looked rather pedestrian offensively in their opener.

It’s worth noting that the line for this game has seen significant movement since it was first released. Texas opened as 3.5-point favorites, but heavy action on the Longhorns has driven that number up to 7.5. That’s a massive shift, especially when you consider Michigan hasn’t been a home underdog since their 2021 upset of OSU when they were getting 6.5 points.

The total for this contest sits at 42.5 points, which feels a bit low considering the offensive firepower on the Texas sideline. However, both defenses looked stout in Week 1, so the under could be in play here.

Odds as of Sept. 5 at BetMGM Sportsbook.

Texas vs Michigan Player Props

In the college football player props for Texas vs Michigan, Quinn Ewers has the higher passing total of the two quarterbacks at 235.5. No receiver is expected to surpass 55 yards, with Texas WR Isiah Bond sporting the highest over/under at 53.5.

Texas vs Michigan props as of Sep. 5 at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Best Texas vs Michigan Props to Bet

I’ve already locked in three bets for this marquee showdown, including the “over” on Quinn Ewers passing yards:

Quinn Ewers Over 235.5 Passing Yards

After watching Ewers carve up Colorado State for 260 yards in just over a half of action, I’m all over the over on his passing yardage prop. The Michigan secondary showed some vulnerabilities against Fresno State, surrendering 292 yards through the air.

With a plethora of weapons at his disposal, Ewers should have no trouble eclipsing this mark as he dissects the Wolverines’ defensive backfield.

Colston Loveland Under 42.5 Receiving Yards

Loveland was the go-to target for Michigan in their opener, reeling in eight catches for 87 yards. However, I anticipate the Texas defense will make a concerted effort to take away the Wolverines’ top receiving threat and force their unproven wide receivers to step up.

Against a talented Longhorns’ secondary, Loveland will likely struggle to match his Week 1 output, making the under on his receiving yardage prop a recommended play.

Isaiah Bond Anytime Touchdown Scorer

Texas has no shortage of offensive playmakers, and one guy I’ve got my eye on is wide receiver Isaiah Bond. The Alabama transfer made an immediate impact in his Longhorns debut, snagging five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Bond’s speed and explosiveness make him a threat to find the end zone every time he touches the ball. I like his chances of getting loose for a score against a Michigan secondary that has yet to be truly tested.

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