The stage is set for the first game of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals as Boise State takes on Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. Here is how to bet on those player props on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Penn State
Maddux Madsen 175+ Passing Yards (-115)
Ashton Jeanty is the superstar of this Boise State team and he had a record-breaking season that led to him finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting. However, there is an immense amount of pressure on Jeanty to perform in this game against Penn State. There were a lot of criticisms around Jeanty’s strength of schedule during his Heisman campaign and people were upset about Boise State getting a first-round bye in the CFP. This is their chance to prove the doubters wrong, but Penn State is a really tough matchup.
The Penn State defense will do everything in its power to stop Jeanty and make Boise State beat them through the air. Penn State’s defense ranks sixth in the nation in EPA/rush and they will be able to load the box and slow down Jeanty in a way that no other team has this season. Some people have cited Jeanty’s big game against Oregon as evidence that he can perform just as well against elite competition. However, run defense is Oregon’s one major weakness. They rank 110th in the nation in defensive EPA/rush, 104 spots worse than this Penn State defense.
Maddux Madsen will be forced to throw the football with how Penn State is going to defend Jeanty. Madsen has had an underrated season because of all of the shine that Jeanty, deservingly, gets. Madsen has a 22-to-3 TD/INT ratio and has done basically everything right as a complement to Jeanty. In addition to Penn State’s game-planning to stop Jeanty, I expect Penn State to take an early lead in this game and maintain it, so Boise State will need to throw more to try to move the ball quicker down the field to catch up. Madsen has had 175 or more passing yards in 9 of 13 games this season and should do so again with the expected game script. This game is also indoors which will help both quarterbacks be more accurate.
Tyler Warren 80+ Receiving Yards (-110)
Tyler Warren was the 2024 Mackey Award winner, given to the best tight end in college football. He has been the best player on this Penn State offense all season, and one of the best players in the nation. Penn State QB Drew Allar has improved from last year and Warren has been his go-to target. Penn State is accustomed to playing in hostile environments and cold, windy weather during the Big Ten season. Inside State Farm Stadium, Allar should be even sharper and more efficient than usual in attacking the Boise State defense through the air.
Boise State ranks 83rd in the nation in defensive EPA/pass. One place they have really struggled is allowing passes over the middle of the field which is where Penn State and Tyler Warren thrive. Warren has 80 or more receiving yards in five games this season, including in the Big Ten Championship Game against Oregon. Boise State’s defense is a favorable matchup for Warren and Drew Allar should be looking to him all game. Penn State will want to jump on Boise State early and they will do so by hitting some explosive plays to Warren and pushing him over this receiving prop.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is blakekrass) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and cannot access any non-public information.
