College Football Player Props: Best Bets for Week 0 (Saturday, Aug. 29)

• The college football player props menu is loaded for the first Saturday of the season
• My favorite picks expose soft lines based on elite red-zone efficiency and tempo
• Read below to find my favorite college football player props and best bets for Week 0 on Saturday, Aug 29

The 2026 college football season kicks off with an action-packed Week 0 slate, and I am narrowing the board to my three most confident player prop best bets. Rather than stretching across every available market in the college football odds, I am focusing on props with the clearest mix of matchup edge, projected volume, and offensive efficiency.

That leaves me targeting USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, Memphis running back Dallan Hayden, and North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards. Each lands in a favorable game environment with a number that still looks playable at the current market price. Keep reading for my favorite college football player props and best bets for Week 0 on Saturday, Aug 29.

College Football Player Props Best Bets

These are my three favorite prices currently available across major books. As always, shop around before betting, since college football props and juice can move quickly as kickoff approaches.

CFB Player Prop Pick #1: Jayden Maiava (USC) Passing TDs

I am making this the top selection despite the juice. The USC Trojans boast an elite offense that generated 35.0 points per game last season. More importantly, their 90.3% red-zone efficiency is phenomenal. When the Trojans get inside the 20-yard line against a suspect San Jose State defense, they have the profile to finish drives with touchdowns.

The expected game script inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum points to multiple scoring chances for Maiava, a Heisman Trophy odds longshot. USC’s offensive explosiveness and red-zone finishing ability make the over 2.5 passing touchdowns worth backing, even at a shorter price.

• Pick: Jayden Maiava Over 2.5 Passing TDs—Over at -139 at bet365.

CFB Player Prop Pick #2: Dallan Hayden (Memphis) Rushing Yards

The Memphis Tigers roll into this matchup with a high-scoring offense averaging 32.2 points per game and a staggering 93.8% red-zone efficiency. They square off against an UNLV defense that has statistically fallen off in recent years.

Memphis held a +7 turnover margin last year, which supports positive field position and a game script that can lean on the run if the Tigers play from ahead. Hayden’s 60.5 rushing yards number is modest for a back in this offensive environment, making him one of the cleaner volume-based overs on the Week 0 board. Take advantage of this total and claim your BetMGM promo code now before the line adjusts.

• Pick: Dallan Hayden Over 60.5 Rushing Yards—Over at -114 at BetMGM.

CFB Player Prop Pick #3: Billy Edwards (UNC) Passing Yards

Fading the TCU Horned Frogs defense is one of my favorite player prop angles this week. TCU carries a declining statistical trend into Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, while North Carolina demonstrates a respectable offensive output, churning out 289.2 total yards per game in 2025.

Edwards does not need a ceiling performance to clear 169.5 passing yards. With UNC likely to attack a vulnerable secondary through steady early-down passing, this number is low enough to fit both a competitive script and a catch-up script. Be sure to use our bet365 bonus code to lock this in.

• Pick: Billy Edwards Over 169.5 Passing Yards—Over at -115 at bet365.