Texas vs Michigan picks, Sept 7

The Texas Longhorns will travel to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines in a highly anticipated Week 2 matchup in prime time on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The kickoff at Michigan Stadium is noon ET, with the game broadcast live on FOX. This clash features a Texas team flying high after demolishing Colorado State a week ago. At the same time, this Michigan squad is eager to prove that it can step up in class successfully after a mediocre performance against Fresno State a week ago.

With both teams looking to make a statement on a big stage, let’s dive into our expert’s predictions and best bets for this exciting SEC vs. Big Ten showdown.

Texas vs Michigan Predictions

Michigan +7.5 (-110) 

Under 42.5 Total Points (-115) 

Colston Loveland Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-110)

Pick #1: Michigan Wolverines +7.5 (-110)

After the departures of so many consistent contributors to the Michigan offense, it’s safe to say that this year’s version of Michigan is a lot different than the team that won the National Championship last season.

Even in a win over Fresno State in Week 1, the Wolverines were extremely poor in nearly every phase on offense and struggled to sustain drives against a Group of Five opponent. This week, things will only get tougher for Michigan against a very talented Texas team, but the same is true for the Longhorns, who will have a major step-up in class against this stout Wolverines defense.

The Longhorns offense is undoubtedly going to be one of the best in the SEC this season, but Michigan’s defense could be even better than it was during its title run a season ago. Therefore, it would be reasonable to anticipate that the Texas offense doesn’t look quite as crisp in a hostile environment on Saturday.

Look for the Michigan defense to create havoc and make Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers uncomfortable in obvious passing situations where Steve Sarkisian’s offense can’t use the play-action passing game effectively. If they can do that, the Wolverines should be live underdogs at home in this one.

Pick #2: Under 42.5 Total Points (-115)

Michigan hanging around and keeping this game close correlates with an under quite nicely. 

The Wolverines need to limit the explosiveness of Texas’ offense and run the ball effectively while they’re on offense, and we can expect the game to shorten as a result. Michigan averaged nearly 32 seconds per play last week, which was good for one of the slowest marks in college football. 

Playing slowly shouldn’t be an issue for this group, as only Army and Air Force were slower than the Wolverines in terms of seconds per play a season ago. Don’t expect Sherrone Moore’s group to look for explosive plays in the passing game either, as the Wolverines are extremely limited at wide receiver and are still breaking in a brand-new quarterback in this offense. 

Expect a low-scoring, ugly game in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

Pick #3: Colston Loveland Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-110)

This is a contrarian play given that the under is also the recommended side for this contest. However, it lines up with Michigan covering as an underdog in this game because Colston Loveland is the entire identity of this Wolverines' passing offense at the moment. 

Last week, the Michigan receivers were virtually invisible, finishing with just four total catches for a combined 26 points. While the Wolverines wideouts were unable to get separation against Fresno State’s secondary, Davis Warren immediately established a great rapport with Loveland, as the tight end caught eight passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. 

Against a Texas defense with obvious weaknesses in the secondary, Michigan will have to throw the ball on key downs at some point in the contest. When the Wolverines need a successful play in the passing game, it’s fair to assume that Warren will look to find his security blanket at tight end. Let’s take Loveland to clear 41.5 receiving yards on Saturday.