King of Props: Gumms chews up yardage

The Friday night focus for most viewers will be seeing whether USC can avenge its loss to Utah and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. But another conference championship game kicks off a half hour earlier, and it’s likewise a rematch. UTSA is a nine-point home favorite over North Texas in the clash for the Conference USA crown, and we like a visiting pass catcher for our top prop:

The bet: Over 32½ receiving yards for North Texas tight end Var’Keyes Gumms (DraftKings)

A redshirt freshman, Gumms has already set the school’s single-season record for yardage by a tight end. The bar was admittedly low, but his 41 receiving yards against Rice last Saturday brought his season total to 438.

When these teams faced off in October, UTSA pulled out a 31-27 win on a touchdown pass with 15 seconds remaining. The lead changed hands five times in the fourth quarter, with Gumms scoring from 44 yards out to put North Texas on top. He also added a 46-yard catch, finishing the game with a career-high 92 receiving yards.

UTSA’s pass defense ranks 103rd of the 131 FBS schools in the country. Their opponents have thrown for an average of 258 yards per game, and North Texas quarterback Austin Aune posted 325 in that previous meeting.

On the fast track of the Alamodome, he’ll remember the production provided by his talented tight end.