Texas vs. Michigan: CFB Picks for DFS & PrizePicks

Texas vs. Michigan is set to be the premier matchup of Week 2 in college football. The defending National Champions Michigan Wolverines play host to the No. 3 Texas Longhorns, who are one of the favorites to become champions this season.

Below, we’ll look at some of the best CFB DFS picks on PrizePicks for the Texas vs. Michigan matchup, including a demon pick to boost your payout and a goblin pick if you’re looking for something safer.

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Texas vs. Michigan: Time, TV, Location

Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. ET kickoff

Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

TV: FOX

Texas comes into this game ranked No. 3 nationally, while Michigan ist No. 10.

Much has changed for Michigan in just nine months since hoisting the title: they lost QB J.J. McCarthy, RB Blake Corum, and head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL.

Texas still has QB Quinn Ewers, who many believe will take that big leap to become a Heisman Trophy candidate and top NFL pick.

Texas vs. Michigan: CFB DFS Picks for PrizePicks

Michigan RB Donovan Edwards: 51.5 Rushing Yards – Less

One of the top returning players from the Michigan offense is RB Donovan Edwards. The senior has shown flashes of his speed, but he’s been inconsistent throughout his career behind Blake Corum. 

That inconsistency showed last week against Fresno State, where he carried the ball 11 times for 27 yards, while Kalel Mullings led the backfield with 15 carries for 92 yards.

Last season, Texas had one of the best defensive fronts in the nation, making them a top-tier run defense and third in rushing yards allowed per game.

The Longhorns did lose some of their best defensive players, like Outland Trophy Winner defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Byron Murphy II, and two-time first-team All-Big 12 member LB Jaylan Ford, the Longhorns still have a ton of talent returning up front. They also went into the portal and picked up former Arizona defensive tackle Tiaoalii Savea.

This is a brutal matchup that will make it difficult for Edwards to do much of anything on the ground. Michigan comes into the game as an underdog, and the carries will be split with Mullings, plus QB Alex Orji out of the wildcat. The opportunities likely won’t be here for Edwards to reach this projection. 

Texas WR Isaiah Bond: 55.5 Receiving Yards – More

You might think Ewers losing last year’s top three targets in Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, and Ja’Tavion Sanders would be a massive hit — but that’s not the case. The Longhorns will still have one of the best wide receiver corps in the nation, and stopping them will be a big challenge for Michigan.

The Longhorns went to the portal and plucked some top-tier talent, including former Alabama WR Isaiah Bond. He had a solid game against Colorado State, catching five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown on a team-leading seven targets.

Don’t be surprised if Bond and the Longhorns start slow in a tough matchup, but his moment will come once they get adjusted.

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Demon Pick: Texas QB Quinn Ewers: 0.5 Interceptions — More

Ewers did not play the full game against Colorado State, but that was because the Longhorns had racked up a 31-0 lead by halftime. Safe to say, for this matchup, he will be under center for the entire game.

This will not be just any game; this will be against defending national champions Michigan in The Big House, one of the most hostile environments in college football. If Ewers can have a big performance here, he can instantly become a Heisman Trophy favorite and a potential top pick.

While the Michigan offense might be completely different from last year, most of the important pieces of their top defense remain intact. This includes Jyaire Hill, Will Johnson, and Makari Page, who could be one of the best secondaries in the country. It’s the same secondary that averaged 1.2 interceptions per game last year.

Additionally, their defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, formerly of the Giants, led the NFL in blitz percentage last year.

Ewers will make at least one mistake in this game that Michigan will take advantage of.

Goblin Pick: Michigan QB Davis Warren: 0.5 Passing Touchdowns — More

The debut of Michigan QB Davis Warren hasn’t given the Michigan faithful a lot of confidence, as he follows in the footsteps of J.J. McCarthy. In Warren’s debut against Fresno State, he went 15-for-25 for 118 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Now he will face a huge test against the Longhorns.

Alex Orji, the presumptive preseason starting quarterback, played mostly in run packages during Week 1. While he did throw a touchdown last week, it’s unlikely that he’ll take significant passing opportunities from Warren.

Michigan will do its best to lean on the run as much as possible, but there will be times when they need Warren to move the ball with his arm. This is likely going to come later in the game as Texas wears down the Michigan defense and builds a lead. There’s a chance this comes in garbage time, but it still counts all the same.

Build Your Week 2 CFB DFS Lineup on PrizePicks

Whether you’re looking for the big payout with demon picks or staying safe with the goblins, there’s no better way to get real money action on Texas vs. Michigan than with a PrizePicks lineup.

With two powerhouse programs and all eyes on this game in Week 2, these players will be looking to make a name for themselves.

Choose more or less on at least two player projections, build your squad for the big game, and enjoy Week 2 of the college football season.

Follow John Supowitz on Twitter: @ImThatSupi

Sign up on PrizePicks with promo code “Playbook” and get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup

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