- #8 Ohio State squares off with #5 Texas in the Cotton Bowl
- Jeremiah Smith has 13 catches and 290 receiving yards through two playoff games
- Keep reading for the best Ohio State vs Texas player prop bets for the Cotton Bowl showdown
#8 Ohio State and #5 Texas will meet for just the third time ever in tonight’s Cotton Bowl. Just like their previous two meetings, the winner of this matchup will play for a National Championship.
The Cotton Bowl is littered with future Sunday stars on both squads. It won’t be long before Jeremiah Smith, Matthew Golden and TreVeyon Henderson are tearing up the NFL, and those names are sure to be popular in tonight’s college football player props.
Ohio State vs Texas Player Props
| Passer | Passing Yards | Passing TDs |
|---|---|---|
| Will Howard (OSU) | 242.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 1.5 (O -166 | U +124) |
| Quinn Ewers (TEX) | 236.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 1.5 (O +106 | U -140) |
| Rusher | Rush Yards | Rush + Rec Yds |
| TreVeyon Henderson (OSU) | 49.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 75.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
| Quinshon Judkins (OSU) | 51.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 61.5 (O -118 | U -112) |
| Will Howard (OSU) | 10.5 (O -115 | U -115) | OFF |
| Quintrevion Wisner (TEX) | 66.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 87.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
| Jaydon Blue (TEX) | 22.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 41.5 (O -118 | U -112) |
| Receiver | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
| Jeremiah Smith (OSU) | 5.5 (O -105 | U -115) | 85.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
| Emeka Egbuka (OSU) | 5.5 (O +125 | U -164) | 63.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
| Carnell Tate (OSU) | 2.5 (O -140 | U +110) | 38.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
| TreVeyon Henderson (OSU) | OFF | 22.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
| Matthew Golden (TEX) | 4.5 (O +126 | U -165) | 67.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
| Gunnar Helm (TEX) | 3.5 (O -120 | U -110) | 44.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
| Quintrevion Wisner (TEX) | 2.5 (O -125 | U -105) | 21.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
Smith, the breakout star of this year’s College Football Bracket, has the highest receiving yards prop at 85.5. Henderson has a lower rushing yards prop than teammate Quinshon Judkins, despite outproducing him in both postseason outings.
As for the QB’s, OSU’s Will Howard boasts a higher passing yards prop than Texas’ Quinn Ewers, and is more likely to throw for 2 TD in oddsmakers’ minds.
Odds as of Jan. 8th at BetMGM. Claim the BetMGM promo code before making a bet on any College Football Playoff game this week.
Ohio State vs Texas Prop #1: Jeremiah Smith Receiving Yards
When the CFP began, the Buckeyes were the fourth choice in the National Championship odds. Fast forward two games, and they’re now the favorites.
Smith’s production, along with the play of his quarterback, is front and center for the Buckeyes success. He’s hauled in 13 catches for 290 yards through two games, while Howard is averaging 15.4 yards per completion.
Which word would you choose to describe Jeremiah Smith⁉️🤔 #B1GFootball x @OhioStateFB x @CottonBowlGame pic.twitter.com/HNfRdY23Ij
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) January 9, 2025
Ohio State has produced the highest success rate (50.4%) of any team in the postseason. Yes, the Longhorns defense is littered with talent, but they haven’t been immune to giving up receiving production.
Texas coughed up 336 passing yards versus Clemson, and then another 296 to Arizona State. Four receivers cleared 65 yards versus the Longhorns, with two hitting the century mark. None of those players are in the same tier as Smith, which makes an alt line of 100+ receiving yards very enticing at +142.
- Pick: Jeremiah Smith 100+ Receiving Yards (+142)
Ohio State vs Texas Prop #2: Quintrevion Wisner Rushing Yards
On other side of the ball, the OSU defense has yielded the lowest success rate of any playoff team. The Buckeyes defensive front is the best in the nation, leading the country in sack percentage and yards per carry.
That’s bad news for Quintrevion Wisner. The sophomore RB struggled badly last time out in the Peach Bowl, and two games prior in the SEC Championship. He averaged less than 3.0 yards per rush in both outings, and with Texas being 6-point underdogs, his opportunity projection will be significantly lower in a trailing game script.
- Pick: Quintrevion Wisner Under 66.5 Rushing Yards (-115)
Ohio State vs Texas Touchdown Props
| Player | First TD | Anytime TD |
|---|---|---|
| Quintrevion Wisner (TEX) | +500 | -175 |
| Jeremiah Smith (OSU) | +500 | -165 |
| Quinshon Judkins (OSU) | +550 | -120 |
| TreVeyon Henderson (OSU) | +600 | -125 |
| Matthew Golden (TEX) | +850 | +125 |
| Emeka Egbuka (OSU) | +850 | +125 |
| Gunnar Helm (TEX) | +1400 | +220 |
| Jaydon Blue (TEX) | +1500 | +220 |
| Carnell Tate (OSU) | +1700 | +300 |
| Will Howard (OSU) | +2000 | +260 |
Switching to the touchdown props market, where Henderson is our preferred target. He’s found the end zone twice in each of the playoff games so far, and is benefitting greatly from a shift in personnel.
Ohio State vs Texas Prop #3: Treveyon Henderson Anytime TD
The Buckeyes have leaned into more heavy personnel during the playoff. They’ve greatly increased their snaps in 21 and 22 personnel, meaning Henderson is on the field more often.
TreVeyon Henderson is a top 5 running back in a LOADED draft class for many reasons…
But where he’s unique in this class is his burst/dynamic perimeter running style.
When he gets into open field or gets a crease, he’s ELITE. pic.twitter.com/nyWJM5OwIj
— Snoog’s Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) January 8, 2025
That’s led to double-digit touches in both outings, and he hasn’t disappointed. Three of his four touchdowns have come from 20+ yards out, making him a threat to score every time he touches the football.
- Pick: TreVeyon Henderson Anytime TD (-125)
The Cotton Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Texas is shaping up to be an exciting game, and one way to add even more excitement to the game is by placing player prop bets. Player prop bets allow fans to wager on specific outcomes or performances by individual players, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the game.
Here are some top player prop bets to consider for the Cotton Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Texas:
1. Dwayne Haskins Passing Yards: Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins has had a standout season, throwing for over 4,500 yards and 47 touchdowns. A popular prop bet for this game would be to wager on Haskins’ passing yards. The over/under for Haskins’ passing yards could be set at 300 yards, and bettors can wager on whether he will throw for more or less than that amount.
2. J.K. Dobbins Rushing Yards: Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins has been a key player for the Buckeyes this season, rushing for over 1,000 yards. A prop bet on Dobbins’ rushing yards could be set at 100 yards, and bettors can wager on whether he will surpass that mark in the Cotton Bowl matchup.
3. Sam Ehlinger Touchdown Passes: Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger has had a solid season, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. A prop bet on Ehlinger’s touchdown passes could be set at 2.5, and bettors can wager on whether he will throw more or less than that number in the Cotton Bowl.
4. Parris Campbell Receiving Yards: Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell has been a big-play threat for the Buckeyes this season, racking up over 1,000 receiving yards. A prop bet on Campbell’s receiving yards could be set at 75 yards, and bettors can wager on whether he will exceed that total in the Cotton Bowl matchup.
5. Collin Johnson Receptions: Texas wide receiver Collin Johnson has been a reliable target for Ehlinger this season, hauling in over 60 receptions. A prop bet on Johnson’s receptions could be set at 5.5, and bettors can wager on whether he will catch more or less than that number in the Cotton Bowl.
These are just a few of the top player prop bets to consider for the Cotton Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Texas. Whether you’re a fan of the Buckeyes or the Longhorns, placing player prop bets can add an extra level of excitement to the game and make watching the Cotton Bowl even more thrilling.