Week 7 of the college football season is approaching as we're now in the back half of the regular season. While the season feels like it's flown by, there are always opportunities to get action down whether it's on sides, totals, player props, team totals, you name it. With regulated sportsbooks posting their college football player prop bets in what could be the best weekend of the season to date, we've pinpointed five of our favorite props to consider for Week 7.
Below, we break down why we like Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz to shred Michigan State's defense through the air while also detailing player props we like in Utah's matchup against No. 7 USC and Michigan's home test against Penn State, among others.
MORE WEEK 7 CFB BETTING: Top 25 ATS picks
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Saturday's College Football Best Bets: Advice, picks, odds, player props for Week 7
Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz OVER 226.5 passing yards (-115)
With Jim Leonhard now at the helm for the Badgers, the future of Wisconsin football is going to look different than when Paul Chryst was running the show. Before last week's 42-7 blowout win over Northwestern got out of hand, Wisconsin was a bit more pass-happy than normal on early downs than they were under Chryst. They still ran the ball 38 times for 193 yards, but most of that had to do with the game script and how uncompetitive Northwestern was.
With Michigan State likely being a bit more competitive this week, it could force Mertz into airing the football out more, resulting in him eclipsing 226.5 passing yards. Mertz gets a plus matchup against a leaky Michigan State secondary that ranks 124th in the nation in defensive passing efficiency (162.3) and a pass rush that grades out in the bottom half of college football per PFF (69.7). Mertz thrives in a clean pocket, sporting a 75% adjusted completion percentage with just one turnover-worthy throw. Look for him to build on his 299-yard, five-touchdown showing last week with another respectable passing output against a poor pass defense.
Utah RB Tavion Thomas OVER 80.5 rushing yards (-115)
Thomas, Utah's lead RB, should get a heavy dosage of carries Saturday night against a USC rush defense that grades out in the bottom half of the nation per PFF (70.3). Thomas is coming off an effective performance last week against UCLA, toting the rock 18 times for 91 yards (5.1 YPC). He could have easily eclipsed 100 rushing yards had the Utes' defense been able to slow down UCLA's offense. With the Utes trailing throughout the second half, they were forced into passing more than normal. As long as Utah stays within striking distance, Thomas looks to be in line for 20-plus carries, resulting in him rushing for more than 80.5 total yards.
2022 CFB ODDS: Heisman | CFP and National Champion
Michigan QB JJ McCarthy UNDER 231.5 passing yards (-115)
McCarthy might be in for a rough day through the air against a well-rounded Penn State pass defense. Entering Week 7, Penn State sports the nation's 7th-best defensive passing efficiency (101.1) and has the 35th-best coverage grade per PFF (83.5). There's a good chance Michigan decides to attack Penn State on the ground, as its rush defense isn't nearly as strong as its pass defense. If you're wagering on McCarthy props, look towards the UNDER on his passing yards.
Arizona WR Jacob Cowing OVER 0.5 receiving TDs (-120)
Cowing's one of the better receivers in college football and draws an enticing matchup against a Washington defense that's a shell of what it was last season. Cowing consistently garners a high target share, and while last week was the first time he failed to score a TD this season (7 TDs in '22) there's a real chance he reaches paydirt this weekend in what's expected to be an offensive-centric game in Seattle. Saturday's Washington-Arizona matchup currently has the highest total among Power 5 teams this week (72.5 points) and with Arizona's team total sitting at 29.5 points, betting on Cowing to score a TD is worth a look.
California RB Jaydn Ott OVER 97.5 rushing yards (-115)
Colorado's rush defense grades out dead last among FBS teams (34.7), which points towards a massive day for California's Jaydn Ott. Entering Week 7, Ott sports PFF's highest offensive grade among true freshmen this season (85.6), and given the Golden Bears are going to be in a positive game script as 15-point road favorites, a 100-plus rushing yard performance is likely.
