Texas vs. Tennessee Picks: Prediction, Props and Best Bets for Saturday's Game

Texas vs Tennessee Picks in Summary

• Arch Manning Under 251.5 Passing Yards (-114)
• Under 55.5 Points (-112)

Texas and Tennessee meet in one of the marquee games on Saturday's college football slate, with both teams carrying legitimate playoff aspirations into Neyland Stadium.

With star power on both sides and one of the toughest road environments in the country awaiting Texas, there are plenty of intriguing betting angles to consider. Let's break down the best bets for Texas-Tennessee.

All college football odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Texas vs Tennessee Prediction and Picks

Arch Manning Under 251.5 Passing Yards (-114)

Arch Manning enters this matchup averaging 220.3 passing yards per game, which gives us a solid cushion below this 251.5-yard line. He has gone under this number in two of three games this season, throwing for 196 yards against Ohio State and 161 against UTSA after opening the year with 305 against Texas State.

This also looks like a spot where the Texas Longhorns won't necessarily want Manning throwing 40-plus times. The Longhorns have leaned on a balanced offense, and Manning's mobility gives them another way to move the chains without adding to his passing total.

The Tennessee Volunteers have also been difficult to throw on so far, allowing just 132.0 passing yards per game through its first two contests. The competition level rises dramatically here, but that early defensive performance still makes 252 passing yards a fairly demanding bar for Manning on the road in Neyland Stadium.

This is my favorite way to bet the game.

Under 55.5 Points (-112)

The game under is another angle I like, largely because Texas has already shown it can drag quality opponents into lower-scoring games. The Longhorns beat Ohio State 24-23 earlier this season and are allowing only 12.0 points per game through three contests. Just one of Texas' first three games has gone over the listed total.

Tennessee's offense has been much more explosive, averaging 47.7 points per game, but this is a massive jump in defensive competition as two of the Vols’ first three games have come against Furman and Kennesaw State. Texas has surrendered only 36 total points through three games, and its defense should be capable of keeping the Vols well below their season scoring average. Tennessee has also seen just one of its first three games go over the total.

The other side of the equation is Texas' offense. Manning has thrown for 664 yards through three games, and as mentioned above, he has stayed below 200 passing yards in two of them. If Tennessee can prevent explosive plays and make Texas methodically string together drives, that should help keep the overall pace and scoring in check.

I think this matchup has a better chance to resemble Texas' 24-23 win over Ohio State than a shootout.

College Football Betting FAQ

What are the most common college football bets?

The most common college football bets are the point spread, moneyline, and game total. Bettors can also wager on player props, team totals, alternate spreads, and futures such as conference champions or the national championship winner.

How does the point spread work in college football betting?

The point spread gives one team a handicap to create a more even betting market. If a team is listed at -7.5, it must win by at least eight points for a spread bet on that team to cash. A team listed at +7.5 can lose by seven points or fewer — or win outright — and still cover the spread.

What does over/under mean in college football?

An over/under, also called a game total, is a wager on the combined number of points scored by both teams. Bettors can choose whether the final score will finish over or under the sportsbook's posted total.

What should you consider before betting on college football?

Matchups, quarterback play, offensive and defensive efficiency, injuries, pace, home-field advantage, and coaching tendencies can all be important.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.