Curt Cignetti has done what was once thought to be impossible, transforming Indiana into a college football powerhouse. Now, the top-seeded Hoosiers are just 60 minutes away from the first national title in program history. Much of the credit for this undefeated season goes to standout quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Now, the Heisman winner will hope to finish the job against #10 Miami.
Which Hoosiers will make an impact in this must-win matchup? These are the top two Indiana player prop bets to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook for Monday’s National Championship matchup.
The Hoosiers enter this contest as 8.5-point favorites (-110) over the Hurricanes, with the over/under set at 47.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Indiana Hoosiers best prop bets
Fernando Mendoza 220+ passing yards (-125)
When looking for the right player prop, figuring out which bets to avoid is crucial. Over the past two weeks, the Hoosiers have ran roughshod over Oregon and Alabama. As a result, Fernando Mendoza hasn’t been asked to do that much. The senior has thrown for 369 yards and a whopping eight touchdowns during that time. Still, it’s wishful thinking to assume that Indiana will decimate a formidable Miami defense. It’s not as if IU hasn’t had its share of close calls. Look no further than one-possession regular season victories over Ohio State and Penn State. The U beat the former and was considerably better than the latter.
If things remains close throughout the second half, more passing might be a necessity. Keep in mind, Miami wields one of college football’s best front sevens. The Canes have held opponents to just 2.95 yards per rush attempt, second-best in the ACC. Their secondary is good, but more vulnerable in comparison. Indiana’s backfield duo of Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black could still do some damage, but it’s difficult to trust either. Mendoza has reached the 220-yard mark in seven of his 15 appearances so far. To cap off a dream season, the future first-round pick may need to air it out on Monday.
Omar Cooper Jr. anytime touchdown scorer (+135)
Indiana’s running backs could hit a bit of a speed bump tonight. Even if the game plan does lean towards the run, IU’s offense is versatile. Mendoza, as has been the case over the past two weeks, will be utilized in the red zone. One name that the QB might target is Omar Cooper Jr. Through 15 games this season, the wide receiver has recorded 64 catches for 866 yards and 13 touchdowns. Despite suffering an ankle injury against Ohio State last month, the junior remains a vital part of this passing attack.
As previously mentioned, Mendoza has thrown for eight touchdowns over his last two contests. The experienced gunslinger has a wide array of options to choose from, including Elijah Sarrat and Charlie Becker. Regardless, Cooper Jr. offers the best odds of the trio at +135. The slot specialist can get open quickly, which is reassuring against Miami’s terrific pass rush. Cooper Jr. has reached the end zone in each of his previous four full outings. At plus money, I’m willing to bet he does so again in this one.
