The second half of games in the first round of the College Football Playoff will showcase the two Group of Five teams in this year’s playoff. It will be much harder to gauge the G5 quarterback performances, as they typically play weaker opponents throughout the season. To kick things off in the second half of the CFP games this weekend, we will get a matchup between two teams in the deep south in Tulane and Ole Miss. The final CFP game will feature teams from complete opposite ends of the country, as the JMU Dukes travel out to Eugene, Oregon to face the Oregon Ducks. It will certainly be fun to see if these G5 teams truly belong on this stage, and it will take some strong performances from the quarterbacks. Let’s dive into the quarterback props available for these games.

Tulane Green Wave (11) at. Ole Miss Rebels (6)

Jake Retzlaff:

  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 185.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 0.5 (over -250; under +182)
    • Rushing Yards: 37.5 (over -114; under -114)

Following Tulane’s win against North Texas in the American Conference Championship, they find themselves in this year’s CFP. Jake Retzlaff has been a big part of their success and has put together a solid season. Across their 13 games, he averaged 238.5 yards per game passing, 1 passing touchdown per game, and 46.9 rushing yards per game. Ole Miss and Tulane actually squared off earlier this season, and Retzlaff struggled, passing for only 56 yards with 0 passing touchdowns, while adding 51 rushing yards. This Ole Miss team has been strong against the pass all year, allowing just 197.1 yards per game (27th in FBS), and not as much against the run, allowing 157.1 yards per game (71st in FBS).

I know Lane Kiffin is gone at Ole Miss, but they still have strong offensive minds in place, and I think the Rebels will be able to lean on this Tulane offense. I would certainly lean toward the under in the passing yards department, I’m avoiding the passing touchdowns, and I like the over in rushing yards.

Trinidad Chambliss:

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  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 272.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 2.5 (over +154; under -210)
    • Rushing Yards: 36.5 (over -114; under -114)

Trinidad Chambliss has shown why he was chosen over Austin Simmons earlier in the season, as he has been spectacular. He only played 10 games from start to finish, and averaged 301.6 yards per game, along with 1.8 passing touchdowns per game, and 47 rushing yards per game. Chambliss also played in the first game between these teams, where he had 307 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and 112 yards on the ground. Tulane’s defense has not been very good against the pass, allowing 255.2 passing yards per game, but hasn’t been bad against the run, allowing just 120.4 yards per game (29th in FBS).

Chambliss is bound to have another good day against this team. I believe he can easily surpass both yardage projections, though I’d avoid the passing touchdowns.

James Madison Dukes (12) at. Oregon Ducks (5)

Alonza Barnett III:

  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 141.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 0.5 (over -144; under +108)
    • Rushing Yards: 25.5 (over -114; under -114)

JMU has only played against one Power 4 team this season, in a game they lost to the Louisville Cardinals. They still find themselves in the College Football Playoff, as that was their only blemish on the record. Alonza Barnett III has not been the most prolific passer this year, as he averaged just 194.8 yards per game, along with 1.6 passing touchdowns per game. On the ground he has been pretty effective though, averaging 41.8 yards per game. Led by Dan Lanning, the Oregon Ducks are a really strong defensive team, particularly against the pass, as they allow only 139.5 yards per game (2nd in FBS). Against the run they aren’t too shabby either, allowing just 112.8 yards per game (20th in FBS).

Barnett could be in for a tough day against this Ducks defense. He hasn’t shown the ability to be very effective against opponents at this level, and it will be even more difficult against a defense as strong as Oregon’s. I’d lean towards the under on all of Barnett’s projections in this game.

Dante Moore:

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  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 233.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 2.5 (over +168; under -230)
    • Rushing Yards: 12.5 (over -114; under -114)

Oregon has kind of flown under the radar in the Big 10 this year, as Indiana and Ohio State have been in the spotlight, particularly late in the season. Oregon has still been a really strong team, and Dante Moore has been an effective quarterback in this scheme. Moore has averaged 227.7 passing yards per game, along with 2 passing touchdowns per game, and 15.9 rushing yards per game. JMU has been really solid on defense this year, as they’ve allowed only 178.8 passing yards per game (16th in FBS), along with just 77.2 rushing yards per game (2nd in FBS).

I think Oregon will try to keep Moore in the pocket in this game, which makes me want to avoid the rushing yards here. I don’t like the passing touchdowns projection at 2.5, but I would lean towards the over on the passing yards.