College Football Week 0 Player Props – Best Bets for Saturday’s Action

• College Football kicks off with an 11-game slate Saturday
• No ranked teams are in action, but there are plenty of intriguing player prop bets to consider
• We run down Week 0 player prop bets and share our favorite picks

It isn’t exactly an extravaganza of heavy hitters to open up the first Saturday of the college football season.

In fact, Week 0 features exactly zero top-25 teams taking the field, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a ton of action.

The Florida State Seminoles are likely the most recognizable school, and they’ll be hosting Duquesne, while the Nebraska Cornhuskers will be at Northwestern to take on the Wildcats as double-digit favorites.

The nightcap features a return home for Timmy Chang, the most prolific-passing pivot in the University of Hawaii history, now the head coach, hoping the turnaround starts on the Island against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

It’s a great time to get your prop betting on, picking on player performance vs outcome — always a dicey proposition at the start of the year.

Let’s have a look below, as well as some of our favorite picks.

Week 0 College Football Player Props

All odds taken Aug 27 from FanDuel and DraftKings

Casey Thompson Rushing Yards

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are turning the page from their QB of the past four years, as Casey Thompson takes over for the now-departed Adrian Martinez, who could never really get things going last season.

The Texas transfer got in some invaluable reps as a starter for 10 games a season ago, and how he fares likely makes or breaks Scott Frost’s coaching tenure.

As someone who loves sports it always amazes me to listen to players and coaches break down plays, game plans, situations, etc.

Huskers quarterback Casey Thompson broke down Northwestern's defense today and I was blown away.

Here's Thompson's in depth break down. #Huskers pic.twitter.com/95JFk4qyhW

— Eddie Messel (@EddieMesselTV) August 21, 2022

Not so much pressure on this side of the board though, for us, as he gets a generously low number on a prop that we should probably pounce on.

Every Nebraska quarterback has to be dual threat — especially under the current regime, where a QB has rushed for at least 500 yards in each of the last five Frost-led seasons.

Insane TD from Casey Thompson to get the ball in for 6. pic.twitter.com/w1jb7PWeVz

— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) September 12, 2021

While Thompson is considered a legitimate passer, he definitely has the running chops, crossing this 14.5 total five times last season. For context, though, Martinez surpassed that total every game last year.

Northwestern isn’t exactly a defensive juggernaut. ranking 101st in total defense a year ago, and an even-worse 119th of 130 school in run defense.

• The Pick: Thompson Over 14.5 rushing yards (-115)

Mike Wright Passing Yards

Vanderbilt at least appears to be on the right path — as much as a 2-10 campaign last season get you optimistic — but they are excited for another year with a potential breakout at pivot.

Mike Wright is the starter at QB, a year after losing all 10 of his starts last season. The total set for him Saturday may seem reasonable, until you realize he crossed that mark just three times in 10 games in 2021.

Mike Wright (@mike5wright) is poised to have a breakout season for @VandyFootball. Wright offers a rare combination of arm talent and elite rushing speed to unlock explosive plays in both ways. He accelerated to 20 mph on this 56-yard TD during the Commodores’ spring game. pic.twitter.com/jYl1oWQSIJ

— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) April 17, 2022

Granted, he did finish the year with two of those games, throwing for a season-best 241 yards against Mississippi, and ending the year with 198 yards passing against Tennessee.

In Hawaii, the Rainbow Warriors are in a major transition, with over 50 new players turning dotting the roster. They’re hoping that new blood breathes some life into the team, including a defense that surrendered at least 280 yards passing seven times in 13 games this season.

The Commodores’ strength is their backfield, though, so look for Dedrick Parson and Re’Mahn Davis to get theirs. Wright will impress as they season goes on, but for now, expect another low passing output.

• The Pick: Wright UNDER 188.5 passing yards