What are the top college football player props on the board for the night slate in Week 8?
Let’s take a closer look at Maryland running back DeJuan Williams, Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley, and Pitt running back Desmond Reid.
See which bet I’m placing for these three players with my three favorite player props and college football picks for the night slate on Saturday, October 18.
Best college football player props for Week 8 late games
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 DeJuan Williams |
Over 41.5 rushing yards | -114 |
 Cutter Boley |
Under 160.5 passing yards | -114 |
 Desmond Reid |
Over 62.5 rushing yards | -114 |
Prop bet #1: DeJaun Williams Over 41.5 rushing yards
The UCLA Bruins may be on a mini-heater after firing coach DeShaun Foster, but don’t let that distract you from the fact that this still isn’t a very good football team — especially on defense.
The Bruins rank dead last in success rate on that side of the ball and have been particularly poor against the rush (135th in success rate).
The defensive front has seen a lot of attrition for the second straight year, and it’s shown on the field. They rank dead last in stuff rate and 131st in line yards, failing to push back opposing offensive lines.
Maryland Terrapins running back DeJuan Williams could capitalize on this matchup in Week 8. He’s emerged as the top threat in the backfield, going for 245 yards and two touchdowns while catching 13 passes for 108 yards.
The freshman back has handled double-digit carries in every game this season and would only need modest success to cash this Over.
The Bruins have allowed 1,175 rushing yards on 5.1 yards per carry, along with 12 rushing scores, this season. I expect at least an average game from Williams in this matchup.
- Matchup: Maryland vs. UCLA
- Date/Time: Saturday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Rose Bowl
- TV: FS1
Prop bet #2: Cutter Boley Under 160.5 passing yards
Things haven’t been going too well for Cutter Boley and the Kentucky Wildcats, and it doesn’t get any easier in Week 8 when they host the Texas Longhorns.
Boley is completing 57.1% of his passes with only two big-time throws and seven (!) turnover-worthy passes. The redshirt freshman is learning on the job, and Texas is ready to dole out some tutoring.
Kentucky ranks 118th in EPA per play on offense and has been particularly poor through the air (128th in EPA, 129th in passing success rate).
Texas has one of the top defenses in the nation, limiting opponents to 259.8 total ypg on 4.2 yards per play while checking in at seventh in EPA per play allowed.
Boley struggled in his lone game against a team with a pass rush, completing 10 of 19 attempts for 124 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions against South Carolina.
The Longhorns have a vaunted defensive front led by Colin Simmons and play well on the back end (seventh in PFF’s coverage grade), so Boley will find it tough sledding out there in Week 8.
- Matchup: Texas vs. Kentucky
- Date/Time: Saturday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Kroger Field
- TV: ESPN
Prop bet #3: Desmond Reid Over 62.5 rushing yards
Pittsburgh Panthers running back Desmond Reid is arguably the most electric player in college football and is going against a Swiss cheese Syracuse Orange defense.
Sign me up for the Over on his rushing yardage prop.
Both teams play with tremendous pace — Syracuse ranks 10th in plays per minute while Pitt isn’t far behind at 20th. An increase in snaps means higher volume for offensive players, which is a plus for prop handicapping purposes.
Syracuse is soft defensively (126th in EPA per play) and ranks outside the top 100 in EPA, success rate, and explosiveness against the rush. Reid averaged 87.8 rushing yards per game a season ago.
He hasn’t been able to display his full ability this season due to injury, but he returned last week to drop 200 scrimmage yards and two scores on Florida State.
Cuse has allowed 6.2 yards per rush or higher to three of the four power conference teams it has faced this season. The Orange rank 131st in PFF’s rush defense grade, so this is a good spot for Reid to do damage on the ground.
- Matchup: Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse
- Date/Time: Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: JMA Wireless Dome
- TV: ACC Network
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
