BYU vs. SMU Player Props, Odds

Our BYU vs. SMU player props look at several Mustangs primed to produce, including RJ Maryland.

Shane Jackson

Last updated: September 6, 2024 8:00 AM EDT • 5 min read

Southern Methodist Mustangs tight end RJ Maryland celebrates a touchdown against the Tulane Green Wave as we look at our BYU vs. SMU player props. — Southern Methodist Mustangs tight end RJ Maryland celebrates a touchdown against the Tulane Green Wave. Photo by Andrew Wevers/Imagn Images.

The SMU Mustangs have already logged two games ahead of Friday’s home meeting with the BYU Cougars. But how much of an advantage is that really?

SMU needed a come-from-behind win as a 27-point favorite in Week 0 against Nevada, and it wasn’t tested during a 59-7 thumping of Houston Christian last week. We believe our best sports betting sites may be too confident when setting prop lines ahead of Friday’s matchup.

Our BYU vs. SMU player props identify potential value spots to begin our Week 2 college football predictions.

BYU vs. SMU college football player props: Friday

Odds as of Wednesday and subject to change.

RJ Maryland anytime touchdown (+125 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Key’Shawn Smith Over 25.5 receiving yards (-117 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
LJ Martin Over 49.5 rushing yards (+150 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

College football picks made Wednesday; odds subject to change.

RJ Maryland anytime touchdown (+125) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

RJ Maryland is now tied with Kylen Granson for the most touchdowns from an SMU tight end after scoring in Week 0. The Mustangs weren’t too worried about him breaking the record last week, as Maryland caught one pass and played 15 snaps as a receiving threat.

But I’m guessing SMU will be more motivated to find Maryland in the red zone during Friday’s prime-time matchup against BYU.

Maryland has scored a touchdown in seven of his last 10 games, and he's one of the top tight end prospects in next year’s draft. He's SMU’s leading target in the passing game, particularly when the Mustangs need to score.

A $10 bet on Maryland to score is a fun way to get in on the action Friday, especially since bettors can net a profit of $12.50 from DraftKings.

His touchdown could be part of a high-scoring affair, as our Mike Spector is taking the Over on 55.5 in his BYU vs. SMU prediction.

Best odds: +125 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 44.44%

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Key’Shawn Smith Over 25.5 receiving yards (-117) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Mustangs don’t boast a go-to receiver, as they prefer to rotate many different players at that position. Jake Bailey leads the way with 10 targets through two games, so his receiving yards prop is trading at 44.5 yards across our best sportsbooks.

As a result, I prefer betting on a receiver with a lower-yardage prop who stands a chance of smashing it. Key'Shawn Smith paces the team's receivers in passing snaps through two weeks, but he's only registered two receptions on five targets.

Smith received four targets during a more competitive Week 0 game. He can clear this prop in one play though, as illustrated with his 35-yard catch in Week 1.

With a projection of 40 yards, I'm putting solid value on this Over that's part of our Week 2 college football predictions.

Best odds: -117 via Caesars | Implied probability: 53.92%

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LJ Martin Over 49.5 rushing yards (+150) ⭐⭐⭐

BYU started Hinckley Ropati at running back in Week 1, but I assume that was more of a motivational tactic. LJ Martin earned 13 rushing attempts and one reception, finishing with 74 yards and two touchdowns.

Martin accumulated 518 yards and four touchdowns on 109 carries during an impressive freshman campaign behind a poor offensive line. He should now explode this season with improved offensive line play and another year in the system.

While Martin’s rushing yardage prop is a fine play at Over 40.5 yards, I prefer the juicier payout in the alternate market. He recorded 67 rushing yards as the backup last week, and the Texas native will be eager to put on another show against SMU on Friday.

Best odds: +150 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 40%

BYU vs. SMU odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

BYU vs. SMU game info

When: Friday, Sept. 6
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
How to watch: ESPN
Weather: 90 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, 11-mph winds
Favorite: SMU -11.5 (-110 via FanDuel)

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Written By:
Shane Jackson

Shane Jackson has been writing for Sportsbook Review since 2022, though his passion for sports, writing, and betting runs much longer than that. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a journalism degree in 2017 and has been covering sports ever since, working for MLB.com, Manhattan Mercury, Lawrence Journal-World, WynnBET, Bet Chicago Sports, BetNOLA, and BetMGM. Jackson cares about creating quality sports betting content above all else. He uses a mixture of models, information, film, analysis, and a top-down approach to locate every best bet shared for SBR. He never gives out a pick that he wouldn’t be willing to spend his own money on. Jackson is focused on finding +EV bets on a daily basis for a variety of sports such as NCAAF, NCAAB, NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB. He usually bets on props but is willing to wager on a spread or total when there is an edge. Don’t ask him how many bets he has placed on a typical college football Saturday. Jackson doesn’t care if you follow him on social media, but his Twitter account has info on how you can follow his bets through multiple third-party platforms. He just wants you to read all the great work from the SBR team.