Under the Honolulu lights at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Hawaii hosts Portland State in a late-night showdown. The Rainbow Warriors are surging at 2-1 and hungry to keep rolling after a Pac-12 upset and last week’s blowout. The 0-3 Vikings have been outscored 161-20 in three routs and are fighting only for pride against a bloodthirsty opponent.
Below are my top college football player props to consider at DraftKings Sportsbook for the Week 3 matchup between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators.
Hawaii vs. Portland State best prop bets
Pofele Ashlock o58.5 receiving yards (-115)
I’m all over Pofele Ashlock’s receiving yards over (around 58.5 yards at -115 on DraftKings). I attack this number because Ashlock is the undisputed alpha in Hawaii’s air raid. He’s tallied 22 catches for 218 yards and three touchdowns through three games, leading the team in each category. Last week he exploded for 125 yards and two scores on seven grabs, drawing 14 targets from quarterback Luke Weaver. That chemistry is real. Ashlock consistently commands over 30% of the target share in a pass-heavy offense (72% pass rate). Hawaii runs about 76 plays per game at a brisk tempo, so volume is on our side.
The matchup is pure leverage. Portland State’s secondary hasn’t intercepted a pass all year and has been carved up by every quarterback it’s faced. Even a run-centric BYU threw three touchdown passes on this porous unit without breaking a sweat. An FCS passer from North Dakota torched these Vikings for four scores through the air. Ashlock is a crisp route-runner who will find huge cushions against slow, overwhelmed defensive backs. He can shred zone or man coverage alike, and his yards-after-catch ability will shine against feeble tackling. I expect him to clear this yardage line with room to spare. Ashlock is poised for another big night. I’m confidently hammering his over.
Landon Sims to score a TD (+105)
I’m also backing Landon Sims to score a touchdown (anytime TD at roughly +105 on DraftKings). The senior running back is Hawaii’s offensive engine and is overdue to hit paydirt on the ground. Sims handled a career-high 14 carries last week and added seven catches, showcasing his dual-threat usage. He’s racked up 222 scrimmage yards (113 rushing, 109 receiving) in three games. Yet he has zero rushing TDs. That changes tonight.
Sims already found the end zone as a receiver last game. Now he gets a dream matchup to rumble across the goal line. Portland State’s run defense is an absolute sieve, allowing an outrageous 348 rushing yards per game. Two weeks ago BYU gashed the Vikings for 468 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. They averaged a ridiculous 9.8 yards per carry as ball-carriers burst into the secondary untouched. Even lower-division Tarleton State saw a player run for 170 yards and two TDs in the opener against this unit. The Vikings have surrendered nine rushing touchdowns in three games, consistently getting blown off the ball in the trenches.
Sims is a 6’3″, 205-pound downhill runner who will punish this undersized front seven. He hits the hole decisively and falls forward with every carry. In the red zone, he’s the primary back and will get multiple chances to punch it in. Hawaii’s offense will march up and down the field, setting up plenty of goal-to-go snaps. With the Rainbow Warriors likely leading big, game script will favor pounding the rock in the second half. That’s prime time for Sims to crash into the end zone. I’m riding Sims to score as a strong value play. I anticipate he cashes this ticket with a touchdown run in Hawaii’s home romp.
