It’s time for Week 3 of the college football season, which means one thing — more player props!
How will quarterbacks Ty Simpson and Cade Klubnik perform after disappointing starts for their respective squads? Will USC’s passing offense continue firing on all cylinders against Purdue?
Read on for my three favorite player props and college football picks for the afternoon slate on Saturday, September 13.
Best college football player props for Week 3
Simpson o247.5 passing yards (-114)
Klubnik o250.5 passing yards (-114)
Lane o49.5 receiving yards (-114)
Prop bet #1: Ty Simpson Over 247.5 passing yards
Most of the college football world witnessed Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson and his offense fail to launch in the opener against Florida State. If that leads to any decreased expectations about this offense in the near future, my natural inclination is to buy low with a proven coach and program.
Simpson rebounded against UL Monroe last week, going a perfect 17-for-17 passing for 226 yards and three scores. He earned a 91.1 passing grade, per PFF, the sixth-highest of any signal caller in Week 2. Any concerns about him losing the job can be laid to rest, for now.
The Tide should build confidence yet again in Week 3 against the Wisconsin Badgers, a team poor enough to expect positive results but good enough that Kalen DeBoer can’t pull the starters early like he did last week.
With running back Jam Miller injured, expect DeBoer & Co. to lean on the passing attack to get closer to expectations by the start of SEC play. With star wide receiver Ryan Williams expected to return to the field, all signs are pointing up.
- Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Alabama
- Date/Time: Saturday, September 13 at 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
- TV: ABC
Prop bet #2: Cade Klubnik Over 250.5 passing yards
Another quarterback I’m buying low on is Cade Klubnik, a preseason Heisman darling who has flopped thus far through two starts. Well, he also flopped in the opener last year against Georgia — and then responded by averaging 291.4 passing yards across his final 12 games of the season.
It’s been an adjustment without go-to target Antonio Williams in the passing game, who is questionable for Saturday. Klubnik has now had time to get acclimated to his weapons sans Williams, and improvement should start to show through sooner rather than later.
Klubnik will need to be at his best for a massive test against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. I think he’s ready. The Yellow Jackets rank 113th in coverage grade (per PFF) despite having faced two underwhelming offenses (Colorado, Gardner-Webb). Clemson is in a different stratosphere than those two anemic offenses, and Klubnik is poised for a bounce-back spot.
This passing attack has too much talent and continuity not to come together eventually. What better time than now?
- Matchup: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
- Date/Time: Saturday, September 13 at 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- TV: ESPN
Prop bet #3: Ja'Kobi Lane Over 49.5 receiving yards
Don’t look now, but Lincoln Riley may have rediscovered his potent offense. Of course, it’s been against two overmatched opponents, but still, the USC Trojans have been on fire to start the season.
They lead the nation in scoring offense (66 ppg) and total yards per game (676.0), stats that look like they’re pulled from elsewhere (A video game? A basketball team?) than a football team. Quarterback Jayden Maiva is averaging a robust 16.8 yards per attempt, a number that will surely go down, but also signifies that the Trojans are red hot.
Unlike the last few years, where the Trojans rotated in a handful of big-time recruits at wide receiver without anyone truly standing out, 2025 is going to be a two-man show with Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane taking on starring roles. There’s no value to be had with Lemon, who has captured the spotlight with 248 yards and two scores, but there’s still some with Lane (124 yards and a score).
USC should keep rolling in Week 3 against the Purdue Boilermakers, a team widely considered to finish at or near the bottom of the Big Ten standings. Lane has recorded 50+ receiving yards in four of his last six games, and he should continue trending up as an NFL Draft prospect for a highly effective passing attack.
- Matchup: USC vs. Purdue
- Date/Time: Saturday, September 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN
- TV: CBS
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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