SEC pre-New Year’s Bowl prop bets:

MIAMI RB JOHNSON’S NUMBERS VS. GAMECOCKS

Options — 100 yards rushing; 150 yards rushing; 200 yards rushing; 250 yards rushing

Projection: South Carolina’s rush defense gave up an SEC-worst 28 touchdowns this fall and Duke Johnson’s playing his final game before what most are expecting an NFL Draft declaration. A 200-yard explosion in Shreveport wouldn’t be out of the question for the speedy ballcarrier, but will Lorenzo Ward’s defense take it personal and respond? We’re going with 150 yards and a touchdown which may not be enough for the Hurricanes in what’s expected to be a high-scoring affair.

LSU’S TOTAL TAKEAWAYS VS. NOTRE DAME

Options — 1 or fewer; 2 or fewer; 3 or fewer; 4 or more

Projection: John Chavis lives for this. LSU’s veteran defensive coordinator has to be tickled during film study in prep for his team’s showdown in Nashville against a team that’s struggling mightily on offense. At times, Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has been flat-out careless with the football and has thrown at least one interception in nine straight games. The Irish ride a four-game losing skid into the Music City and the matchup isn’t favorable. Expect LSU’s secondary to respond in a big way.