USC vs. Colorado Prop Picks & Odds: Fireworks in Boulder

Yes, colonel

Last week, we made a strategic move by fading Shedeur Sanders, and it paid off handsomely as Sanders finished with just 159 passing yards, well below the 335.5 yards projected by the books. In that game, Sanders had very limited time to make plays, as the offensive line was in shambles and Oregon did a fantastic job of getting home, sacking him seven times. 

This week, I'm pegging Sanders for a bounce-back performance against a USC defense that's not exactly the '85 Bears. The way USC wins football games is by outscoring you, and while they may do that this week, Colorado, particularly Sanders, will get back to putting up video game-like numbers. The Trojans rank 154th vs. the pass, giving up 228 yards per contest and while they give up just 20 points per game, they've not faced an offense that can be as potent as the Buffaloes. Arizona State QB Drew Pyne threw for two touchdowns last week and San Jose State QB Chevan Cordeiro threw for three touchdowns in Week 1. 

The secondary is a major weakness for this team and I'm expecting a very uptempo approach from the Buffs with Sanders slinging the rock all over the field. This is a fantastic price considering how high this game total is. 

Shedeur Sanders prop: Over 2.5 passing TDs (+165 at bet365)

Williams outruns Buffaloes

As we enter Week 5 of the college football season, Caleb Williams is still sitting atop the 2024 NFL draft odds to be the No. 1 pick. He also currently occupies the top spot on the Heisman Trophy odds board with Washington's Michael Penix Jr. To put it bluntly, Williams has been as advertised this season. 

He's led the Trojans to a 4-0 record and a Top 10 ranking and he's doing it with his incredible IQ, scrambling ability, and his ability to make guys around him better. While he's a pass-first QB, Williams is tied for the team lead with three rushing touchdowns on just 21 attempts. Teams do not know how to defend this high-octane attack.

If they opt for man-to-man coverage, there's plenty of open field for Williams to exploit with defenders' backs turned. When defenses play zone, Williams, with time in the pocket, becomes a nightmare for defenders. And if they attempt to blitz, Williams simply escapes the pocket and improvises, leaving defenses in a bind. It's a pick-your-poison situation for opposing teams.

The Colorado defense has allowed two quarterbacks to score touchdowns this season, including Bo Nix last week and Jeff Sims in Week 2. I'm confident in betting that Williams will be the third quarterback to find the endzone against them.

Caleb Williams prop: Anytime TD (-135 at DraftKings)

Chicken fried

It must be pretty awesome to root for a team with not one, not two, but four top-notch receivers all fighting for catches. USC has got that going for them, and right now, Brendan Rice is becoming the go-to guy for Williams.

Rice has some impressive stats coming into this game: 12 catches for 257 yards and five touchdowns. He's averaging a whopping 21.4 yards per catch, and I'm not too sure the Buffaloes' defense, especially without Travis Hunter, can handle him.

Rice has been on fire lately, putting up big numbers in two straight games. Just last week, he snagged seven catches for 133 yards against Arizona State. Even when he's not hauling in a bunch of passes, he's a big-play threat, like that one catch for 75 yards and a touchdown he had back on September 9 against Stanford.

I believe 57.5 yards is the floor this week vs. the Buffaloes. Take the Over.

Brendan Rice prop: Over 57.5 receiving yards (-115 at DraftKings)