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College Football Player Props: Bowl Games (New Year’s Eve)

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There are five bowl games on New Year's Eve, with Iowa and Vanderbilt kicking off the slate at noon ET in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Can Diego Pavia decipher one of the nation's best defenses? Then, I highlight why I like Ryan Wingo to have a solid day in the Citrus Bowl. And finally, I take a look at Bo Jackson's rushing total as he gets ready to face Miami in the Cotton Bowl.

Here are the best player prop bets for the bowl games being played on Wednesday, December 31.

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Wednesday’s Best College Football Player Props

(Odds Courtesy of bet365)

Diego Pavia to Score a Touchdown (+100)

Iowa's defense has allowed just 18 touchdowns this season, though 11 of those scores were relinquished on the ground. Although the Hawkeyes mostly held the best offenses they played this season (Oregon, Indiana, and USC) in check, three of the four touchdowns they allowed against Oregon and USC were on the ground.

Pavia has 27 passing touchdowns this season, but he has five games with one or fewer. However, he has been unstoppable on the ground since mid-October, scoring in six consecutive games and eight of his last nine contests overall.

While Iowa is allowing just 15.2 points per game, Vanderbilt is averaging 39.4 per contest. The Commodores have scored 45 in three consecutive games, and they've only been held below 30 twice all season.

Ryan Wingo Over 69.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Wingo has at least 81 receiving yards in three of his last five games, with his only two sub-80-yard performances coming against Georgia and Texas A&M. He leads Texas with 50 receptions, 770 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Additionally, he'll be aided by Texas' second-leading receiver, DeAndre Moore, Jr., not playing in this game.

Michigan's pass defense has just been average this season, allowing 210.6 yards per game, which is 11th-best in the Big Ten. The rush defense has been much more impressive, allowing just 101.7 yards per game.

Texas relies heavily on its passing attack, and with its top two running backs out for this game, I expect Arch Manning to be called upon often in this game to move the ball down the field for Texas. Considering Wingo has been his favorite target all season, I'm surprised to see this number as low as it is, especially when you take into account the matchup and the offensive players Texas will be without.

Bo Jackson Under 79.5 Rushing Yards (-115)

Jackson ranks 30th in the country with 1,035 rushing yards, and he's been very consistent down the stretch. He has at least 75 rushing yards in six consecutive games, topping 100 yards in four of those contests. Though he has three games with 63 or fewer yards, his last performance like that came back on October 18.

Yet, despite how good Jackson has been, I have this much faith in Miami's rush defense. The Hurricanes are allowing just 87.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks seventh-best in the nation. They're allowing just 2.9 yards per carry, which ranks ninth-best.

Jackson just saw a defense of this caliber when he ran for 83 yards and 4.9 yards per carry against Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. Yet, Miami just held Texas A&M to 89 rushing yards, as no Aggie rushed for more than 27 yards. If this number were set in the low 70s, I'd probably stay away. However, where it is now, the value is in taking the Under.

For more of my picks and predictions throughout the Bowl season, subscribe to BettingPros. Right now, new subscribers receive a 20% discount that grants access to picks, predictions, and odds comparison tools.

Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.

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