Texas will be hosting Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Here are the best player props to consider for the matchup on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Texas fell to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and now both of their losses this season have come to the Bulldogs. Clemson also lost to Georgia in the opening game of the season, then thought their season was over after losing to South Carolina in the final game of the regular season. However, Miami’s loss later that same day pushed Clemson into the ACC Championship Game and they took advantage of the situation by beating SMU and getting the automatic bid into the CFP. Now the Longhorns host Clemson with a spot in the quarterfinals against Arizona State on the line.
Cade Klubnik 27+ Rushing Yards (-120)
Cade Klubnik’s legs have brought a new dynamic to this Clemson offense. Klubnik is averaging 10.8 carries per game over his past six games and has been effective scrambling and on designed runs. Texas has an elite defense overall, but you would rather attack them on the ground than through the air. They are second in the nation in defensive EPA/pass but rank 43rd in defensive rushing success rate. They have allowed teams to stay ahead of the sticks on the ground this season and that is where Klubnik has been really effective using his legs.
Klubnik has rushed for 27 or more yards in ten of his past 11 games. He has double-digit carries in five of his past six games and he should run a lot against Texas. He only needs to average around three yards per carry to clear this rushing prop if he reaches double-digit carries again. He is averaging 4.3 yards per carry this season so that should be no issue against the Longhorns. Texas just gave up 60 rushing yards to Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed in their regular season finale and Klubnik should be able to get close to those numbers as well.
Arch Manning Anytime Touchdown (+185)
Texas lost their starting running back, CJ Baxter, for the season before they even played a game. They have dealt with several other running back injuries throughout the season and have not been able to establish a real rushing identity all season. They rank 70th in EPA/rush and Quinn Ewers lacks mobility at quarterback. That is why Texas has turned to Arch Manning throughout the season to run certain packages at quarterback where he can use his rushing ability.
Manning has four rushing touchdowns this season, including in their regular-season finale against Texas A&M. He got a whole drive against Georgia in the regular season and got a red zone carry against Georgia in the National Championship Game as well. There are multiple paths to Manning getting a touchdown. Like in that regular season game against Georgia, Steve Sarkisian has shown that he will bench Ewers if he thinks Manning can provide a spark. There is also always a chance of an injury that gets Manning on the field. Quinn Ewers is on a short leash as he has really struggled the past few weeks. Texas fans and the national media have urged Sarkisian to go to Manning to give their offense a more dynamic balance.
There is also a chance that Texas dominates Clemson in this game. Texas is an 11-point home favorite over the Tigers and if they take a commanding lead, Sarkisian will likely let Manning close the game like he has a few times this season. Manning is also very likely going to be used for a few running packages in the red zone like has in the past few weeks, no matter the circumstances of the game. Clemson has been wrecked by running quarterbacks like LaNorris Sellers this season so Sarkisian should give Manning a shot. I would be shocked if Manning doesn’t get the chance to run this offense for parts of this game and that puts a lot of value on him to run for a score.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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