5 College Football Player Props for Thursday, August 31

College football season is finally back! While conference realignment dominated the summer, CFB props on Underdog are back and better than ever for our Thursday games.Its looking like a great time to finally use that underdog fantasy promo code you’ve held onto. 

With Florida heading to Salt Lake to take on the reigning Pac 12 Champions to Nebraska & Minnesota batling for early season control of the Big Ten, get your popcorn ready for a great college football slate.

QB Graham Mertz (FLA) UNDER 184.5 PASS YDS

Mertz underperformed in his time as the Wisconsin starting QB, throwing for 38 TDs and 26 INTs as a starter. Coming into a Florida offense led by 4th pick Anthony Richardson last season, it might take some time for this offense to perform as Mertz is not nearly as athletic nor creative outside of the pocket as Richardson was.

Last season, the Gators beat the Utes in a close affair with AR15 throwing for just 168 yards against a tough Utah defense. They return 8 starters on defense as the quest for a 3rd straight PAC-12 Championship begins on Thursday night.

With this game being played in Salt Lake, I’m expecting a rough outing for the new-look Gators as they might utilize the run game more than expected.

RB Trevor Etienne (FLA) OVER 41.5 RUSH YDS

Capitalizing on the Florida run game will be key when dealing with prop bets in the Florida vs. Utah bout. When Etienne was given ten or more carries in 2022, he managed to reach the 80-yard mark in 3 out of 4 affairs.

With this game expected to become a battle in the trenches, expect Trevor to reach the 10 carry mark which should produce yardage behind a solid offensive line. 

Although Montrell Johnson should get the nod as the starter Thursday night, Etienne as a “change of pace back” could terrorize the Utes defense as the Gators’ running attack has always been creative.

QB Brennan Armstrong (NCST) UNDER 279.5 TOTAL YDS

I’m taking the” unders” on most transfer Quarterbacks in Week 1. In what could be a stalemate, the newly “acquired” Armstrong has a few weapons on this North Carolina State team against the UConn Huskies.

However, I’m expecting this game to be won or lost in the ground game, so place your prop money on Jordan Houston and Michael Allen. With only one senior in the receiving core, I’m not so sure if trusting this NC State team in Week 1 is the way to go.

The Wolfpack went just 2-3 on the road in 2022 and coming into Storrs, they will face a Huskies team with an improved defense and some key returning starters on the defensive line and linebacker room, so watch out for a potential upset here and a potential offensive struggle for the NC State passing attack in Brennan’s debut.

RB Gabe Ervin Jr. (NEB) OVER 40.5 RUSH YDS

Matt Rhule’s offense is normally headed by a running back duo, so Gabe Ervin has a chance to make waves in his first start for the Huskers.

Earlier last week, Rhule stated to the media that Ervin is the No. 1 back, and in any D1 offense that has an average offensive line, 40 rushing yards will be a piece of cake to achieve, especially against a retooling Minnesota defense.

RB Victor Rosa (UCONN) UNDER 44.5 RUSH YDS

In what should be more of an RB by-committee offense under Mora this season, Rosa might struggle to get going against a tough NC State front.

Rosa didn’t surpass the 45-yard mark in any of his final 5 games in 2022, including the blowout loss to North Carolina State who were ranked top 15 at the time. In what could be a heavy mismatch up front, I’d stray away from the UConn “overs”.