Texas vs. Oklahoma Player Props and Best Bets – College Football Week 7

Prop Bet #1: Michael Hawkins Jr. at any time during a touchdown

+210 at BetMGM

If Oklahoma plays Texas close, it will almost certainly be because freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is shining in his second career start. At least he won't play badly. If Oklahoma fails, Hawkins' desperation could be the catalyst for a late touchdown to secure backdoor coverage. At both stages of the game, Hawkins is ready to score.

In his first start, Hawkins managed 12 carries for 76 yards and a tally (sacks adjusted). He's a quarterback dynamic enough to command attention on the ground and who can catch a defense off guard with just one play on tape. Or, if the game is less competitive, it can catch a defense off guard if their attention wanes during a blowout.

Oklahoma's quarterbacks – be it Jackson Arnold or Hawkins since the move behind center – have been under pressure 24.0% of their snaps this seasonbut they weren't as doomed by these moments as most teams. These moments were by no means a success, but they weren't as crippling as one would normally expect.

It could be that Hawkins cashes in on that bet to escape the Longhorns' pressure. It doesn't matter how he finds the end zone, just that he finds it.

Prop Bet #2: Michael Hawkins Jr. Under 172.5 yards

-115 at BetMGM

It's not Hawkins' fault that he doesn't have any receivers to throw to, but he has virtually no receivers to throw to. Without the availability of Deion Burks, the Sooners' passing attack takes a significant step backwards.

The Purdue transfer should help bolster Oklahoma's offense, and in his four games he has caught 26 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. If you quickly extrapolate that over a full season, it would be 78 catches for 603 yards and nine scores. This isn't exactly eye candy, but it would be a solid contribution.

Without him, Texas shouldn't have to worry about the Sooners' receivers being double-guarded with more high-profile players getting injured than available.

Even if Oklahoma had a healthy receiver corps, there's a reason opponents return to rush against the Longhorns 11.5% more often than would be expected from the average team in a given game state. Texas' pass defense ranks 3rd in expected points added (EPA) per dropback against and 8th in dropback success rate against.

If the Sooners want to inch closer to a score, they're more likely to do so by running the ball, both in their season so far and against this particular Longhorns' defense.

Prop Bet #3: Isaiah Bond for 62.5 yards

-115 at BetMGM

The junior transfer from Alabama has cleared that receiving end in each of his last three games, despite only managing two catches against Louisiana-Monroe a few weeks ago and despite Quinn Ewers not throwing any passes in the last two games.

The concern here would be that Oklahoma's defense is strong enough to slow down Texas in every way. But if this game is competitive, the Longhorns will be more inclined to continue to rely on their best downfield playmaker.

It doesn't take many more clips than this to show Texas WR Isaiah Bond, who was just as good as advertised. Maybe better. He is probably the best player on the field between the two teams. Oklahoma will try to take as much as possible, but Bond will get his. pic.twitter.com/PcXJfYboQ8

— Kegan Reneau (@KeganReneau) October 11, 2024

Additionally, the Sooners' defense is slightly more exploitable against the pass than it is against the run.

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