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Friday College Football Player Props: Top Picks for Sep. 4

Chris Amberley

By Chris Amberley in College Football

Published:


Stanford quarterback Davis Warren celebrates during a game vs Hawaii.
Aug 29, 2026; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Davis Warren (8) celebrates after defeating the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
  • Friday’s college football slate features a ton of value in the player props market
  • I am targeting a trio of quarterbacks and one running back sitting in favorable game scripts
  • Read below for my favorite Friday college football player props and top picks for Sep. 4

The dawn of a new college football campaign always brings a wave of excitement, and this Week 1 slate is packed with intriguing matchups and star power. Rather than stretching across every market in the college football odds, I matched key playmakers against their Week 1 opponents to find genuine value.

That leaves me targeting USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, Stanford quarterback Davis Warren, Michigan State running back Cam Edwards, and Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. Each lands in a favorable game environment against a defense that has struggled to generate pressure, and each carries a number that still looks playable.

Keep reading for my favorite Friday college football player props and top picks for Sep. 4, below.

Friday College Football Player Props

Player PropPickPricePlatform
Jayden Maiava (USC) Passing YardsOver 261.5-115BetMGM
Davis Warren (STAN) Passing YardsOver 164.5-115Caesars
Cam Edwards (MSU) Rushing YardsOver 78.5-117Caesars
John Mateer (OU) Passing YardsOver 237.5-114BetMGM

All four player prop picks sit within a few cents of standard juice, so the edge comes from the numbers themselves rather than the price. The common thread is pressure, or the lack of it: every one of these offenses draws a defense that has struggled to get home, which is what keeps drives alive and volume flowing. As always, shop around before betting, since college football props and juice can move quickly as kickoff approaches. Claim your BetMGM promo code now to get in on the action.

Friday College Football Top Player Prop Picks

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

Taking place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, this contest gives USC quarterback Jayden Maiava a passing yards line of Over 261.5 (-115). I love this spot. The Trojans operate a blistering, high-scoring offense that generates 505.0 total yards and 42.0 points per game.

What makes this unit truly dangerous is its ability to sustain drives, highlighted by a dominant 69.2% third-down conversion rate. With the offense consistently staying on the field, the Heisman Trophy odds longshot will have ample opportunities to eclipse his passing threshold. On the other side, Fresno State running back Rayshon Luke holds a rushing line of Over 36.5 yards and draws a USC defense that registered just 1.0 sack and zero interceptions last week.

  • Pick: Jayden Maiava Over 261.5 Passing Yards—Over at -115 at BetMGM.

CFB Player Prop Pick #2: Davis Warren (Stanford) Passing Yards

Stanford Stadium hosts this clash with Cardinal quarterback Davis Warren entering at a passing yardage total of Over 164.5 (-115). Stanford boasts a potent attack that put up 468 total yards and 35 points last week.

The Cardinal’s strong 66.7% red-zone efficiency means they routinely string together successful drives, and given the overall yardage tendencies of this offense, 164.5 passing yards is a very modest total for Warren to clear. Miami running back Mark Fletcher is the other angle here at Over 81.5 rushing yards, facing a Stanford defense that produced just 2.0 sacks and zero interceptions in their opener.

CFB Player Prop Pick #3: Cam Edwards (Michigan State) Rushing Yards

This matchup at Spartan Stadium will be contested under heavy rain, which is the whole case for Michigan State running back Cam Edwards at Over 78.5 rushing yards (-117). The Spartans lean on an offensive identity built around finishing drives, featuring an elite 90.5% red-zone conversion rate and 345.5 total yards per game last season.

Expect them to lean on the ground game in high-leverage scoring areas. Toledo’s defense has proven disruptive with 37.0 sacks and 13 interceptions in 2025, but the weather blunts the pass rush and pushes both teams toward the run. Rockets quarterback John Alan Richter sits at Over 178.5 passing yards in the same game, though I prefer backing the ground game here. The college football ATS records and trends support how often this Michigan State offense finishes what it starts.

CFB Player Prop Pick #4: John Mateer (Oklahoma) Passing Yards

With the action unfolding at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Sooners quarterback John Mateer sits at Over 237.5 passing yards with -114 odds. Oklahoma has established a highly efficient offensive profile, averaging 25.8 points and 354.3 total yards per game last season.

UTEP’s defense recorded 28.0 sacks and five interceptions in 2025, so this is the stiffest resistance of the four, but Mateer will look to leverage Oklahoma’s scoring-area efficiency to push past his yardage total. Compare the best college football betting apps to make sure you are getting the best of this number.

  • Pick: John Mateer Over 237.5 Passing Yards—Over at -114 at BetMGM.
Chris Amberley
Chris Amberley

Sports Writer

As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.

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