King of Props: Rushing up the rankings

It’s Rivalry Week in college football, and the day after Thanksgiving gives us the game that has been dubbed the “Duel in the Desert.” Arizona and Arizona State have opposed each other on the gridiron for well over a century, since the latter was a teachers college known as the Normal School. While both teams own losing records this season, pride and the Territorial Cup are on the line – as well as the outcome of today’s top prop:

The bet: Over 108½ rushing yards for Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay (DraftKings)

After playing his first four seasons at Wyoming, Valladay will be looking to make the most of his only rivalry experience. He enters the final game of a storied collegiate career with a chance to build on his third season of 1,000 rushing yards, having crossed the threshold with a 109-yard effort in last week’s loss to Oregon State.

Interim Sun Devils head coach Shaun Aguano, who replaced the fired Herm Edwards, will “play to win the game” by routinely feeding his best offensive player. Valladay currently ranks 79th in NCAA history for career rushing yards, well within striking distance of legends like Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson.

Now Valladay gets to face the seventh-worst run defense in the country, as the Wildcats are allowing a putrid 214 yards per game. He needs 131 rushing yards to reach 4,500 for his career and 171 to establish a single-season personal best.

But just 109 will do the trick for us.