Below, I break down my favorite player prop bets for Friday night’s marquee game between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Miami Hurricanes.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Wake Forest vs. Miami player props
Darian Mensah o286.5 total passing yards (-115)
I’m on him to clear this number even whilst fully expecting less-spectacular efficiency from Mensah this week. Through two games, he h’s chucked 45 attempts and hung 653 yards: a whopping 14.5 YPA, which I certainly won’t project over a long sample size. I like him for around 315 yards in this game across more attempts than he’s yet logged in a game as a Cane.
Wake’s defense has invited enough completions to make that attainable. Ryan Browne threw for 329 yards against the Deacs, whose opponents have completed 80% of their passes. Browne needed 42 attempts across two overtimes, so it wasn’t the most efficient execution. Mensah’s offensive line, which has surrendered no sacks, and his options beyond Malachi Toney, should have no problem with making it look leanear.
When Stanford shifted an extra safety to have attention on Toney, it opened Cooper Barkate’s long touchdown play. Mensah benefits no matter which receiver finds space.
The objection is playing time; his 252 yards against FAMU came before an early exit. With Gio Lopez probable against Miami’s depleted secondary, I expect Wake to keep Miami’s starters earning their win for longer.
Malachi Toney o96.5 total receiving yards (-110)
Toney finished with 96 yards against FAMU, which makes this number look fair until I consider the fact that he racked up damned near a 100-piece on just four catches. It was a blowout, so he subbed out early, but we all know the talent and efficiency is there. Across two games, his 16 receptions have produced 330 yards, or 20.6 per catch. He’s on a Heisman run right now.
This week, I’ve got Toney right around seven catches for 110-115 yards, so you’ll note I’m baking in some considerable reduction in that explosive season average. Wake’s opponents have completed 60 of 75 passes, offering a foundation for volume even if the Deacons prevent deep completions. Their 6.5 YPA allowed also cautions against assuming every catch will produce a chunk gain.
The route work makes me comfortable separating Toney from Miami’s other receivers. Against Stanford, he had a beautiful inside-out move into a sail route, his timing on deep crossing routes gives Mensah so much to work with. He’ll clear this number easy.
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
