NCAA Football Lock Picks: Go With These 3 Favorites ATS

We have a little better idea of what teams are going to be like this season after seeing them on the field for the first time, so the college football betting lines are a little more in line with what to expect. We like some favorites to come through with some big wins, so take a look at our three picks to put together a winning parlay for yourself.

3 ATS Favorites to Bet on This Weekend

1. Texas Gets Big Road Win vs Michigan

A matchup of two teams ranked in the Top 10 sees Texas visit defending national champion Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The Longhorns are a 7½-point favorite in the contest, with the over/under set at 42½ points.

Texas looked very impressive in its opening win, as it routed Colorado State 52-0. Quarterback Quinn Ewers was 20-of-27 for 260 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to backup Arch Manning in the blowout.

Still thinking about this no-look pass 🤯@QuinnEwers pic.twitter.com/40vjFEOWVr

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 1, 2024

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The Longhorns looked like the complete package, holding the Rams to just 74 passing yards and intercepting CSU quarterbacks twice. That’s going to be big in this one, as Michigan is struggling to find its offensive way in its first season under new head coach Sherrone Moore.

Senior Davis Warren got the start under center in the Wolverines’ opening win against Fresno State. The former walk-on finished 15-of-25 passing for 118 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw one interception. That kind of performance might work against the Bulldogs, but the Longhorns are going to be all over Warren on Saturday, making it difficult for Michigan to move the ball.

Running the football is going to be a key component for the Wolverines if they’re going to stay in this one. While Donovan Edwards struggled with just 27 yards in the opener, Kalel Mullings picked up the slack, rushing for 92 yards on 15 carries.

Still, Texas is going to be too much for Michigan, even at the Big House. Make one of your first college football picks this week on the Longhorns to win and cover the spread.

Bet on Texas -7½ (-105) vs Michigan

2. Battle for Iowa Sees Hawkeyes Come Out on Top

The two Power 4 schools from Iowa square off for their annual showdown on Saturday, with Iowa State visiting Iowa for a Week 2 clash. The host Hawkeyes are 2½-point favorites at home, with the over/under set at 35 points.

That low point total is due to the ferocious defense displayed by the hosts in their opening 40-0 victory over Illinois State. What was different in the opener was the offensive firepower shown by the Hawkeyes, who reached 40 points in a season-opening game for the first time since 2016.

Quarterback Cade McNamara orchestrated the newly-potent Iowa offense with 251 yards and three touchdowns through the air. The former Michigan signal-caller could make an Iowa team usually known for its defensive prowess a darkhorse contender in the deep Big Ten if he can keep this up.

Of course, Iowa State is a more formidable opponent than the FCS Redbirds, so it might not be as easy to put points on the board in this one. The Cyclones took down North Dakota 21-3 in their opener, coming up with big plays when needed defensively.

Quarterback Rocco Becht led the offensive attack with 267 yards through the air with two scoring tosses, but things will get tougher against Iowa, which will get head coach Kirk Ferentz back for this one after he served a one-game suspension in the opener. Look for the Hawkeyes’ defense to dominate, leading to an easy home victory over the rival Cyclones.

Bet on Iowa – 2½ (-115) vs Iowa State

3. Tennessee Gets Best Of NC State In Shootout

Saturday night brings a big-time matchup between Tennessee and NC State at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. The Volunteers are the favorites according to the NCAA football game odds, giving 7½ points to the Wolfpack. The over/under has been set at 110 points.

Tennessee was impressive offensively in its opening 69-3 victory over Chattanooga in Week 1. Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was 22-of-28 for 314 yards and three touchdowns passing the ball in just two quarters of action, and he’ll be looking for more against the NC State defense.

“It felt great going out there and competing with my guys,” Iamaleava said. “We put a lot of work into this year, so it felt good to go out there and display what we have been working on.”

Tennessee finished with 718 yards of total offense while limiting the Mocs to 227 yards and a single field goal. The Volunteers’ defense will be tested a bit more this week, however, with the Wolfpack having a more potent attack.

NC State topped Western Carolina 38-21 in its opener, scoring 21 fourth-quarter points to pull away late. Quarterback Grayson McCall threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns and running back Jordan Waters had 123 yards and two scores rushing the ball, but it will be the defense that must play much better on Saturday.

Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, the Volunteers are on a roll and should cruise to a high-scoring victory in Charlotte. Take Tennessee among the other two favorites when you Bet online for a winning parlay.

Bet on Tennessee -7½ (-115) vs NC State

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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