Prop bets are pretty sucker-ific. But it’s the College Football Playoff Championship Game — and the first one in history at that. Who’s it going to hurt if we just take a look at what online gaming site Bovada has to offer?
Let me hit you with five enticing prop bets that might make Monday night’s game even more intriguing for the casual fan:
Cardale Jones over 2.5 total TD passes and interceptions (+110)
This total essentially matches Jones’ average for his two starts this season (3 TDs and 0 INTs versus Wisconsin; 1 TD and 1 INT versus Alabama). The spread suggests that the Buckeyes will be playing from behind throughout the game, which would force OSU to throw more.* Oregon’s quick tempo also could mean more possessions than usual OSU.
At plus odds, I’m willing to bet that the Buckeyes QB goes over 2.5.
*Tell that to Wisconsin and Alabama.
Marcus Mariota under 296.5 total passing yards (Even)
Mariota has topped 296.5 passing yards in eight of 14 games this season. Ohio St. has given up more than that total just twice in the same number of games, though. With two of his top targets in Devon Allen and Darren Carrington sidelined, Mariota might have a harder time than usual moving the ball through the air. The game plan might lean on the run slightly more than usual, too.
Marcus Mariota under 22.5 passing completions (Even)
This is correlated with the bet above. More running not only means fewer yards, it means fewer throws.
The longest touchdown score in the game will be under 63.5 yards (-115)
Oregon and OSU have to of the more big-play offenses in the college football. According to cfbstats.com, each team has registered eight plays of 60 or more yards this season. However, the biggest threat here would seem to be UO breaking off a long TD on OSU: Oregon has only allowed two such plays this year; OSU’s D is slightly more susceptible, having given up six.
I don’t love this bet, but I like the proposition well enough to play the under.
The Oregon Ducks mascot will do under 147.5 pushups in the game (-110)
For the uninitiated, after every Oregon score, Puddles does the same number of pushups as the number of Ducks points on the scoreboard. In this case, 147 pushups works out to exactly six touchdowns and converted extra points. Given that I’m expecting UO to call on its ground game more than usual, I’ll bank on a lower final point total in the 34-38 range.
Puddles get a break.
