There is extra electricity in the air for college football fans. If this weekend’s conference championship games live up to the hype, we are in for some epic football. Fans can turn that excitement up a notch by getting in on the action with some college football player props.
With fewer games, there aren’t as many options to review, but there are still hundreds of player props for your betting pleasure. But which ones should you go with? We’ve got a few ideas. Here’s our list of the top 10 player props for conference championship weekend.
Odds via FanDuel unless otherwise stated:
Big 12: Iowa State vs. Arizona State
Cam Skattebo, O/U 119.5 Rushing Yards at -114/-114; Alt Rushing Yards: 125+ at +102
Iowa State ranks 96th in run defense and has allowed a 100-yard rusher in four of its last six games. Skattebo has been impressive for most of the season, cracking 100+ rushing yards in six of 11 games, including his last two.
He has had 20+ carries in all but three games, and as long as he logs 20+ vs. Iowa State’s questionable run defense, he’ll go OVER his total.
If you aren’t a fan of minus-money odds, consider putting your money on one of his alternate markets. You’ll need to go with 125+ rushing yards to get to plus-money odds. Skattebo has gone over 125 yards six of the eight times he has tallied at least 20 carries. He also went for 150+ yards (+205 odds) in five games.
Rocco Becht, O/U 235.5 Passing Yards at -115/-115 (odds via BetMGM)
Iowa State does not have a good run defense, so the best way the Cyclones can neutralize Skattebo is by throwing their way to an early lead and forcing Arizona State to try to keep up via their own passing game.
Iowa State has been a solid passing team this season, averaging 258 yards per game, 36th in Division I.
Becht threw for OVER 235.5 yards in eight games this season, including six of the last eight. Arizona State has allowed 243.3 passing yards per game in its last three contests, and necessity will push Becht’s total OVER 235.5 yards.
Southeastern Conference: Georgia vs. Texas
Quinn Ewers, O/U 238.5 Passing Yards at -117/-117 (odds via Caesars)
Ewers is a capable passer and has some solid skill position players at his disposal, but he threw for just 211 yards against Georgia on Oct. 19. The last time he notched 238.5+ yards was against Florida on Nov. 9 (333). Of the 10 games he has played in, he went UNDER that mark in six.
Georgia has allowed 196.2 passing yards per game this season, and the Bulldogs have averaged UNDER 200 yards allowed against their last three opponents despite giving up 303 to Georgia Tech last weekend.
Texas will need to throw to beat Georgia, but don’t bank on Ewers going off. Take the UNDER.
Carson Beck, O/U .5 Interceptions at -148/+108 (odds via Caesars)
Beck went through a six-game span in the middle of the season where he struggled with turnovers, throwing all 12 of his interceptions during that stretch, including three picks against Texas.
He hasn’t thrown one in his last three games, but with the Texas pass rush keeping him off balance for most of the day, he’ll throw at least one.
Take the OVER.
Dominic Lovett, O/U 52.5 receiving yards at -114/-114
Texas has the No. 1 pass defense in the country, allowing just 143.7 yards per game. When these teams faced each other in October, the Longhorns held Beck to 175 yards through the air. Of that total, Lovett had 35. In 12 games this season, he’s gone OVER 52.5 just three times and once in his last eight games.
There is no reason to think he’ll do better against the Texas defense this time. Take the UNDER.
Big Ten: Penn State vs. Oregon
Dillon Gabriel, O/U 1.5 Passing Touchdowns at -114/-114
Gabriel has thrown a touchdown pass in 11 of 12 games this season and at least two in 10 of them. Penn State’s pass defense looks great on paper and has given up just 11 passing touchdowns this season, but Oregon has the 14th-best passing offense in the country at 277.6 yards per game.
Gabriel will toss at least two scores against the Nittany Lions. Take the OVER.
Tyler Warren, O/U 69.5 Receiving Yards at -117/-117
Penn State’s big tight end is arguably the best in the nation and is a solid receiver, with 69.5+ yards in three of his last four games and five overall this season. He will undoubtedly be one of Drew Allar’s top targets in this game, but stats for the Nittany Lions are somewhat inflated this year due to a relatively easy schedule.
But we do have one game we can use as a reference: Ohio State. Warren had four catches for 47 yards (31 coming on one reception) in that game. This game will be a lot like that one. Take the UNDER.
Atlantic Coast Conference: Clemson vs. SMU
Phil Mafah, O/U 82.5 Rushing Yards at -114/-114
Mafah had 17 yards on 17 carries against Pitt on Nov. 16 and tallied just 14 yards on three rushes against the Citadel the following week. In a must-win game last week, the Tigers’ lead back managed 66 yards on 20 carries. He’s a solid running back, but he’s been overworked and has hit a wall.
Don’t expect him to get past the wall against SMU’s No. 4 run defense, which allows just 95.8 yards per game. Take the UNDER.
Brashard Smith, 100+ Rushing Yards at +150 (odds via DraftKings)
Smith has carried the ball 193 times for the Mustangs this year, gaining 1,157 yards (96.4 per game) and scoring 14 touchdowns in the process. He failed to clear 70 in SMU’s last two games but has notched 100+ yards in six of 12 games this season.
Clemson does not have a bad defense, but it isn’t the dominant unit it was when the Tigers competed for national championships. It was gashed by the better-run teams it faced this season. Don’t count on them to slow Smith down.
Take Smith to run for 100+, but if you want to play it a little safer, the odds for Smith eclipsing 90 yards are +100.
–Travis Pulver, Field Level Media
