CFB DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups & Stacks: National Championship Playbook

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
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.