The College Football Playoff National Championship is here, featuring an exciting matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish! That means it’s the last chance to make use of CFB DFS projections!

Ohio State enters the game with one of the top offenses in the nation, known for its strong passing game and a defense that rises to the occasion. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has shown great strength and balance this season, with a solid running game and a defense that can handle tough opponents.

 

 

 

CFB DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook: Monday, January 20th

With the stakes higher than ever, fans and fantasy players are busy finalizing their CFB DFS picks for this exciting game. Who will shine and make the big plays needed to win this national title? 

Let’s look at the key players and CFB DFS projections that could be crucial for your lineups at FanDuel Sportsbook in the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame showdown!

 

 

 

College Football DFS Showdown: 2025 National Championship CFP

Quarterbacks

Will Howard has played relatively well throughout the CFP, although his numbers dipped from a CFB DFS picks perspective their last time out against Texas. This marked the second time in his last 4 games where he’s had less than 15 fantasy points, but in the other two, he put up 23+ in each. 

On the other side, Riley Leonard has been the epitome of consistency. He’s logged between 15 and 24 fantasy points in each of his last 6 games. Howard is certainly more lethal through the air, while Leonard is more inclined to use his legs. 

Both defenses are tough, so neither matchup is necessarily more preferred. If you’re looking for a higher ceiling, I’d roll with Howard. If you’re looking for a higher floor, I’d roll with Leonard. Whichever you choose, my recommendation would be to put them in the MVP/Captain spot.

 

 

 

Running Backs

We’ll start with the Buckeyes first. The tandem of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins has been lethal during these playoffs, as both have put up efficient numbers. 

Henderson has been getting into the end zone more, however, and is my preferred pick of the two. If you’re looking to save though, Judkins is still great for CFB DFS picks. 

For ND, Jeremiah Love will get the bulk of their carries with Jadarian Price sprinkled in as well. Love should be a lock from strictly a workload standpoint, but Price has yet to really do all that much since the regular season ended. 

Outside of those 4 players, the Irish’s Aneyas Williams seemingly came out of nowhere to put up a very respectable 10.8 points against Penn State. He’s a dart throw, at best.

 

 

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Here’s where it gets fun, at least on the Buckeye side of things. 

Jeremiah Smith is at the tippy top of the “elite college football WRs” list, but other teams know that, too. While his performances against Tennessee and Oregon were outstanding, when teams put the bulk of their defensive attention on him, like Michigan and Texas both did, his numbers take a substantial hit (12 and 0.8 fantasy points, respectively). 

Call me crazy, but I think the Irish do the same here, or at least try to. Which, in turn, opens things up for Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate. I love Egbuka this week, as he’s been constantly involved in their passing game; a touchdown is all he needs to really have a good outing regarding CFB DFS picks 

Tate is more boom-or-bust, but with how cheap he is, it’s hard to turn him down. The Buckeyes have seldom used their tight ends this season. 

Things are much simpler on the other side in that Notre Dame doesn’t have a go-to guy, or a receiver who seems to produce week in and week out. TE Mitchell Evans may be the best bang for your buck, or WR Jordan Faison.

Outside of them though, it’s rather bare. Jaden Greathouse popped off against the Nittany Lions, but that seems like more of an anomaly. Tread lightly on ND pass catchers.

 

 

 

CFB DFS Example Lineup For Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Showdown