NCAA Football: Four Props to Look at in Title Game

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0) and No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) will battle Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.


Best Sports Betting Websites


These two schools will be playing a rematch of the 2015 CFP semifinal, won by the Buckeyes, 42-35, en route to their first title in the current CFP system.

This one should be another attractive championship between two historical college football powerhouses. Without further ado, let’s dive into some prop bets that stand out.

Prop 1: Justin Fields Under 290.5 Passing Yards (-115)

The health and status of Justin Fields are unknown heading into Monday night’s game, but we have to assume he will not be 100 percent at game time. Ohio State running back Trey Sermon has rushed for 524 yards over the last two games behind a veteran offensive line that overpowered the Clemson front seven.

Alabama’s defense has had some lapses this season, but watch for the Buckeyes to utilizing the rushing attack to keep Fields protected and keep the ball away from Alabama’s high-powered offense.


NCAA Football Betting Lines


Prop 2: DeVonta Smith Over 114.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

The Heisman-winning DeVonta Smith has gone under this total just five times this season and is coming off a seven-catch, 130-yard effort in the semifinals against Notre Dame. All-American Shaun Wade is a talented corner for the Buckeyes and one of the top projected defensive backs in the upcoming draft, so expect him to draw the matchup with Smith.

Smith vs. Wade will be an exciting matchup to watch within the game itself as these two will see each other again on Sundays in the future. In the end, the Heisman Trophy winner will continue to be a focal point of the offensive game plan and put a finishing touch on his historic season and surpass this total.


Free College Football Predictions


Prop 3: Najee Harris (+300) or Jahleel Billingsly (+2200) First Touchdown Scorer

Alabama senior running back Najee Harris accounted for 27 touchdowns this season, with five scores accounting for the game’s first touchdown. Harris is the Vegas favorite to put points on the board first, and we agreed with the oddsmakers out West.

Our darkhorse play here is Alabama’s tight end Jahleel Billingsly. The sophomore has caught passes in just half of the Tide’s games this season, but all three of his touchdown receptions have come after Thanksgiving as his role has expanded in the Tide’s offense in the latter half of the season.

This one is worth a small lunch money bet.


Ohio State vs. Alabama Betting Preview


Prop 4: First Team to Score – Alabama (-145)

There is a lot of juice here, but Alabama’s offense has been unstoppable this season early in games. Having offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, recently hired as the next Texas Longhorns head coach, is significant for Alabama.

Sarkisian has completely transformed this offense into one of the country’s best. The Crimson Tide have scored first in all but one of their games this season, and you can expect that trend to continue in the title contest.