Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) runs the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Top 10 CFB Player Props For Rivalry Weekend

It’s Saturday.

You have a big ol’ turkey sandwich in front of you.

You finished your Christmas shopping on Black Friday, and now you’re ready to win the money to pay for all those gifts by betting on a few college football player props from one of the many intense rivalry games on the schedule.

The million-dollar question is, of course, which ones do you bet on? To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorites for Rivalry Weekend.

Rivalry Weekend: CFB Player Props Odds via FanDuel unless otherwise stated:

–The Game: Michigan vs. Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State, O/U 49.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

Michigan’s run defense is supposed to be decent, but it will be on the field so much that it won’t matter. The Wolverines’ defense might slow down Henderson in the first quarter/half, but it will tire out by the second half, and the run lanes will get nice and wide.

As a senior who has never beaten Michigan, Henderson will be motivated and could get more garbage time in the fourth quarter. Take the OVER.

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State, O/U 251.5 passing yards at -114/-114

Howard has gone over 251.5 yards passing just once in his past five games (vs. Purdue). Last week, against Indiana, he only had 201 yards in a dominant Ohio State offensive performance. His total wasn’t that low because the Hoosiers defense was playing tough.

No, it was because the team didn’t need him to take to the air for prolonged drives. Four of the Buckeyes’ six scoring drives were shorter than 50 yards. A similar scenario could present itself this weekend. Take the UNDER.

–Palmetto Bowl: South Carolina vs. Clemson
Lanorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina, O/U 198.5 passing yards at -114/-114

Sellers had some struggles during the first month of the season, which is not unusual for a freshman quarterback. But when South Carolina played Alabama, things started to click. Since then, including the Alabama game, he has thrown for more than 198.5 yards in five of his past six.

Clemson’s pass defense is good but not great. It might slow Sellers down at first, but not for the entire game. He’ll clear 200 yards passing before the fourth quarter. Take the OVER.

Lanorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina, O/U 37.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

As for his rushing total, Sellers went over 37.5 yards in his past four. A legitimate dual threat, he averages 14 carries per game this season. Clemson allows 4.57 yards per carry, so as long as he gets nine carries and takes what the Tigers allow, he’ll have a nice day on the ground.

Take the OVER.

Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson, O/U 96.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

Mafah has been a workhorse for Clemson this year in the backfield, running for 100-plus yards in six of his first nine games. He struggled against Pitt, gaining just 17 yards on 17 carries. He’ll likely get around 20 carries, and if he can match his season average (5.6 yards per carry), he’ll easily go OVER his total.

But the South Carolina run defense is pretty strong against the run (No. 12 in the country, allowing just over 100 yards per game). Since he’ll get the bulk of touches in the backfield, he’ll have a shot at going over the total. But the day will belong to South Carolina. Take the UNDER.

–Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh: Southern California vs. Notre Dame
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC, O/U 235.5 passing yards

Maiava has done a solid job in his two starts since taking over as QB1 for the Trojans, throwing for 259 yards and three touchdowns (and an interception) in one game and 221 yards and a touchdown in the other. But neither Nebraska nor UCLA have a strong pass defense.

Notre Dame has the No 1 pass defense in the country. Take the UNDER.

–Lonestar Showdown: Texas vs. Texas A&M
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M, O/U 180.5 passing yard at -114/-114

On paper, it doesn’t look like Texas A&M will move the ball at all, with Texas having the No. 2 pass defense and No. 13 run defense. But the Longhorns played the easiest schedule in the SEC, so you have to take those numbers with a grain of salt.

Since taking over as QB1 for the Aggies, Marcel Reed has been electric. He is a dual threat with a strong arm and quick feet. In his past three games, vs. South Carolina, New Mexico State and Auburn, Reed has passed for over 200 yards in each.

Texas might slow him down, but the Longhorns will not contain him for the whole game. Take the OVER.

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M, O/U .5 passing touchdowns at -220/+162

If you think Texas will dominate this game, then take the UNDER. However, if you believe the Aggies will be competitive in this game, then take the OVER. We’re taking the OVER.

Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas, O/U 45.5 rushing yards -114/-114

The Texas A&M defense is good on paper, but the numbers are a little misleading. Often, the Aggies’ defense gets gashed by the running game in the first half and helps the opposing team get out to a nice lead. But then it makes some adjustments at halftime and controls the line of scrimmage in the second half.

Blue is good enough to go for 45 yards in the first half, even if he ends up splitting carries with Quintrevion Wisner. If he doesn’t, he’ll get close and then finish the job in the second half.

–Field Level Media

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson watches warmups before the Buckeyes game against Maryland at Ohio Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023.

Ohio St. RB TreVeyon Henderson to return from 3-game injury absence

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson will play Saturday at Wisconsin after a three-game injury absence, coach Ryan Day said Thursday on his radio show.

Henderson suited up and went through warmups for the No. 3 Buckeyes in each of their last two games, including last week’s showdown with Penn State, but did not see game action due to an undisclosed injury.

Henderson last appeared Sept. 23 against Notre Dame and ran for 104 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. After a bye, Henderson was a late scratch for Ohio State’s Oct. 7 win over Maryland.

“Trey’s had a really good week of practice,” Day said on the radio show. “He’s full-go, so excited to get him back out there.”

Henderson leads Ohio State in rushing this season with 295 yards and five touchdowns on 44 attempts.

Day said “other guys will get opportunities as well” against the Badgers. Chip Trayanum started the past three games and Miyan Williams had a season-high 62 yards and a touchdown against Penn State.

Day didn’t specify whether wide receiver Emeka Egbuka or cornerback Denzel Burke would return from their respective, undisclosed injuries against Wisconsin.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs during the second quarter against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson out vs. Maryland

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against Maryland at Columbus, Ohio.

Henderson was listed as out on the fourth-ranked Buckeyes’ pregame availability report released two hours ahead of kickoff. No reason was given for the absence of Henderson, who had offseason surgery to repair torn ligaments and a broken bone in his left foot that plagued him last season.

Henderson rushed for a season-high 104 yards and a touchdown in Ohio State’s 17-14 victory over Notre Dame on Sept. 23. He leads the team in carries (44), rushing yards (295) and rushing touchdowns (five).

Chip Trayanum and Miyan Williams likely will split the carries for the Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten). Trayanum has 25 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns this season, while Williams has 19, 73 and two, respectively.

Ohio State also ruled out wide receivers Nolan Baudo, Kyion Grayes and Reis Stocksdale, cornerback Jyaire Brown, linebacker/defensive end Arvell Reese and defensive lineman Will Smith Jr.

Maryland enters Saturday’s clash with a 5-0 overall record and 2-0 mark in the conference.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) reacts after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins  at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson (foot) out for CFP

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson will miss the College Football Playoff so he can address a long-lingering foot injury.

The No. 4 Buckeyes face No. 1 Georgia in a semifinal on Dec. 31.

“As much as I wanted to finish out the season with my brothers, I know god have bigger and better plans for me!” Henderson tweeted Tuesday night. “Its always light at the end of the tunnel, be back better than ever.”

Henderson told the Columbus Dispatch that he is undergoing surgery on his left foot. He played through a fracture and a torn ligament during the regular season.

“I’ve just been making it worse going back out there,” he told the newspaper.

The dynamic running back was limited to eight games this season after suffering the injury in Week 3 against Toledo. He finished the season with 571 yards (5.3 per carry) and six touchdowns, adding one receiving touchdown.

The Buckeyes will be missing not only Henderson but also receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who declared for the NFL draft and was battling a hamstring injury to boot.

With a win over Georgia in the Peach Bowl, the Buckeyes would advance to the national title game against either Michigan or TCU.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs for a 7-yard touchdown past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Tyler Elsdon (43) and linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) during the fourth quarter of the NCAA Division I football game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Ncaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Penn State Nittany Lions

Offensive stars out for Ohio State at Northwestern

No. 2 Ohio State will be without two of its offensive stars Saturday at Northwestern, with running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba sidelined by injuries.

Henderson has battled a left foot injury throughout the season, and perhaps coach Ryan Day is giving him a rest against the Wildcats (1-7, 1-4 Big Ten). He leads the Buckeyes with 552 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

He scored the go-ahead touchdown last week at Penn State on a 41-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Smith-Njigba sustained a hamstring injury in the season opener against Notre Dame and has missed five games for the Buckeyes (8-0, 5-0). In limited action in three games in 2022, he has caught five passes for 43 yards.

Last season, he set a Big Ten record for receiving yards with 1,606. His 95 catches also were an Ohio State record and the fifth most in Big Ten history. He also set Rose Bowl records with 347 receiving yards on 15 catches — three of them for touchdowns.

–Field Level Media