BYU vs Texas Tech Player Props & Best Bets for College Football Big 12 Championship Game

Player	Pick
LJ Martin	Under 70.5 rushing yards	-114
Bear Bachmeier	Under 30.5 rushing yards	-114
Chase Roberts	Over 53.5 receiving yards	-114

Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account

LJ Martin Under 70.5 rushing yards 

-114 at FanDuel

The Texas Tech Red Raiders did not allow a single opposing running back to rush for 70 or more yards in a game during the regular season, so why is the expectation that things will change in the Big 12 Championship? 

The only player to reach 70+ yards in a game was Avery Johnson, a quarterback, so I’m betting against BYU Cougars running back  LJ Martin cracking the code on Saturday.

Tech’s defense leads the nation in EPA per rush and rushing success rate. The Red Raiders have suffocated opposing ground games, surrendering just 68.9 rushing yards per game and 2.3 yards per rush.

Martin has been on a heater lately, helping him reach 1,229 rushing yards and 11 scores on the season. His yardage prop is inflated due to his strong recent performance (405 yards and seven touchdowns in his last three games), but this is a different matchup entirely.

Tech’s defense has bottled up opposing rushers all year long and has proved to be one of the strongest units in the country. That leads me to an Under on Martin’s rushing yardage prop.

Bear Bachmeier Under 30.5 rushing yards

-114 at FanDuel

Let’s continue the theme of TTU’s dominant rush defense having yet another solid effort, this time in Arlington on the big stage.

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been a wonderful story this season, racking up 3,122 total yards and 25 touchdowns as a true freshman who rocks the number 47. He’s an atypical signal caller, but his success has been undeniable.

While the run has been enjoyable to follow, there isn’t always a storybook ending in sports. Bachmeier was limited to 11 rushes for 12 yards in the initial meeting and will be hard-pressed to find room again against this elite defensive front.

David Bailey (16 TFL) will hear his name called very early in the NFL Draft, and Romello Height (nine sacks) is a proven disruptor off the edge. Both Lee Hunter and Anthony Holmes Jr. (combined 15.5 TFL) eat up space on the interior. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (104 tackles, 10 TFL) is a fringe Heisman candidate.

Make no mistake about it, this Tech defense is loaded and will have the upper hand on most downs. Bachmeier and the BYU offense may find some room at some point in the game, but the opportunities will be hard to come by.

Chase Roberts Over 53.5 receiving yards

-114 at FanDuel

After playing two Unders for BYU, let’s try an Over. Enter Chase Roberts, a fifth-year senior who has racked up 2,497 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his career.

The team captain has talked a big game heading into this matchup, stating after the first game between these teams that the Cougars would win out (they did) and beat Tech in a rematch (we’ll see!). There’s a lot riding on him in this spot, and he’ll be ready to perform.

Roberts has gone Over this number in six of his last nine games in which he was healthy. He missed the season finale against UCF with a hamstring tweak, but all indications are that he’s good to go for Saturday. Since we’re assuming full health, this yardage prop is too low.

Tech’s dominance in the trenches will force BYU to go to the air more than usual. That was the case in the first matchup, where the 6-foot-4 wideout caught six passes for 61 yards and a score.

Here’s betting on a strong performance from the team captain in which the game script and matchup call for him to step up and lead by example.

Bet on CFB at FanDuel!

Make your college football bets at FanDuel, America's No. 1 sportsbook! Sign up now and by placing $5 on your first bet, you could win $300 in bonus bets if your wager is a winner!

Sign Up Now at 

^{*Eligible U.S. locations only}