Best Player Prop Bets for Tennessee vs Ohio State Saturday Night Showdown

• #9 Tennessee visits #8 Ohio State in the First Round of the College Football Playoff
• Nico Iamaleava has the lowest QBR of any quarterback in the CFP
• Keep reading for the best Tennessee vs Ohio State player prop bets for this Saturday night showdown

Oddsmakers project Tennessee vs Ohio State to be the most competitive matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The spread for Saturday night’s showdown has ping-ponged between OSU -7 and -7.5, and while advanced projections give a slight lean to the Vols in that market, there’s not a ton of value to be found.

The same cannot be said for the college football player props. These lines are nowhere near as efficient as the spread or total. Names like Jeremiah Smith, Dylan Sampson and Will Howard are well-known to even casual fans, and their over/unders give us another way to sweat this contest.

Tennessee vs Ohio State Player Props

Howard has the game’s highest passing yards prop at 234.5, while Samspon and Smith boast the biggest rushing and receiving lines. Tennessee runs the football at one of the nation’s highest rates, making a fade on QB Nico Iamaleava very tempting.

Odds as of Dec. 20 at BetMGM. Claim the BetMGM promo code before making a bet on any College Football game this week.

Tennessee vs Ohio State Prop #1: Nico Iamaleava Passing Yards

The Vols call a run play on over 60% of their offensive snaps. When they do throw, it’s typically short and underneath, forcing receivers to accumulate YAC to boost Iamaleava’s stock. That may work against some programs, but not the Buckeyes. Ohio State allows the second-fewest passing yards per game, and ranks top-15 in tackling.

😤 @OhioStateFB‘s defense is in a league of their own this year 🌰

They rank 1st in FBS ranks in four different categories 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OyiUEVaS0c

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 28, 2024

Their pass rush gets home at the nation’s second-highest rate, and they’re limiting enemy QB’s to only 5.6 yards per throw. Iamaleava, meanwhile, has the worst QBR among playoff quarterbacks and does not throw deep.

Nico attempted only three throws of 20-plus yards versus Kentucky and Georgia, two of the best pass defenses he faced. He’s 5-for-22 (23%) on 20+ throws this season, and 0-for-4 over his last three games.

• Pick: Nico Iamaleava Under 180.5 Passing Yards (-115 at BetMGM)

Tennessee vs Ohio State Prop #2: TreVeyon Henderson Receiving Yards

The winner of this game gets #1 Oregon in the second round, which explains why both Tennessee and OSU’s price has lengthened in the National Championship odds. As good as the Buckeyes pass defense is, the Vols’ unit is no slouch. They rank top-16 in opponent completion percentage, passing yards and yards per attempt, and 10th in pass rush win rate.

A good pass rush and a strong secondary is likely to force plenty of check downs, which opens the door for more receiving production for TreVeyon Henderson. The RB has caught at least two passes in four straight games, and has 18+ receiving yards in four of his last five contests.

• Pick: TreVeyon Henderson Over 12.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at BetMGM)

Tennessee vs Ohio State Touchdown Props

Switching to the touchdown props market, where we’re banking on Sampson to find the end zone. He’s scored 22 times already in 2024, and appears mispriced in the anytime TD market at -145.

Tennessee vs Ohio State Prop #3: Dylan Sampson Anytime TD

Sampson has scored in all but one game this season. He still produced 178 yards on 25 carries in that outing, and has accounted for 42% of all Volunteer touchdowns, one of the highest marks in the country.

Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson This Season:

🟠 70 Missed Tackles Forced
🟠 927 Yards After Contact

Leads All SEC Running Backs in BOTH Categories@Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/DD4M3EJSPb

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 20, 2024

Yes, the matchup is tough, but with Imaleava in an even worse spot, expect Tennessee to lean on their workhorse whenever they get close. He can also bust a big run to the house, recording at least one 20+ yard run in nine of 12 games this season.

• Pick: Dylan Sampson Anytime TD (-145 at ESPN Bet)

As Tennessee and Ohio State gear up for their highly anticipated Saturday night showdown, sports bettors are looking for the best player prop bets to make the game even more exciting. Player prop bets allow bettors to wager on specific player performances rather than just the outcome of the game, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already thrilling matchup.

One player prop bet to consider is the over/under on Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton’s passing yards. Milton has shown flashes of brilliance in his first few games with the Volunteers, but has also struggled at times. With Ohio State’s defense known for putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, Milton may have a tough time racking up passing yards. Bettors should consider the matchup and Milton’s recent performances when deciding whether to take the over or under on his passing yards.

Another player prop bet to keep an eye on is the over/under on Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson’s rushing yards. Henderson has been a standout player for the Buckeyes this season, averaging over 100 rushing yards per game. Tennessee’s defense will have their hands full trying to contain Henderson, so bettors may want to consider taking the over on his rushing yards.

For those looking for a more high-risk, high-reward player prop bet, they may want to consider wagering on the first touchdown scorer of the game. Both teams have explosive offenses and playmakers who are capable of finding the end zone early in the game. Bettors should consider each team’s offensive game plan and key players when making their selection for this prop bet.

Overall, player prop bets can add an extra level of excitement to the Tennessee vs Ohio State Saturday night showdown. Bettors should carefully consider each player’s recent performances, matchups, and game plans when making their prop bet selections. With a little research and analysis, bettors can make informed decisions and potentially cash in on some big winnings during this highly anticipated matchup.