King of Props: Warding off frustration

Corporate sponsorship of bowl games has become so pervasive that the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Bowl would scarcely generate buttery disbelief. Now celebrities are getting in on the act, as today’s game at SoFi Stadium is literally called the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. With the presence of the late-night host contributing to the distractions that Fresno State and Washington State must contend with, we like underperformance for our top prop:

The bet: Under 266½ passing yards for Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward (DraftKings)

A sophomore who transferred in from Incarnate Word of the FCS ranks, Ward has proven a capable player at the FBS level, throwing for more than 3,000 yards this season. But given recent events, it appears that a number of factors will be working against him today.

Former Cougars offense coordinator Eric Morris has become the head coach at North Texas, so someone new will be calling plays. And Ward will be missing two of his favorite targets because wide receivers De’Zhaun Stribling (51 catches for 602 yards) and Donovan Ollie (43 for 491) have entered the transfer portal.

Prior to closing the regular season by passing for 322 yards in a loss to Washington, Ward had stayed comfortably under this number in four straight games. Three of them were victories in which running back Nakia Watson was given at least 15 carries, and the 338 yards he produced should keep him a prominent part of the game plan.

Trying to solve a Fresno State defense that limits opponents to 193 passing yards per game, Ward could endure a frustrating afternoon. But maybe he’ll get to meet Jimmy Kimmel.