Pick 'Em & Rip 'Em sponsored by PrizePicks: Week 20
PrizePicks is your go-to stop for daily fantasy sports, and before you set your lineup for Week 20 of the college football season, our DFS expert Matthew Dawson offers you his insight on the best picks and plays from the CFP, the NBA and beyond! We pick 'em, you rip 'em!
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Championship Monday is almost upon us. The Will Howard-led Ohio State Buckeyes, as heavy favorites, are taking on the Riley Leonard led-Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the pinnacle of the first 12-team College Football Playoff. You’d better believe I’ve got plenty of plays for you on this one. It’s the last game of the season and our last chance to make generational wealth on college football until August. Let’s lock in.
*Numbers are subject to change*
Aggie of the Week
F Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
MORE THAN 11.5 Points
With the elimination of the Buccaneers from the playoffs, there are no more Aggies to pick on PrizePicks in the NFL. I guess it’s time to turn to the NBA. January has not been kind to Middleton so far. He’s only averaging 9.8 points in his games this month. However, in December, he averaged over 13.0 points per game, including scoring 14 or more in six straight to close out the 2024 calendar year. I believe that Middleton gets back to his scoring ways and brings us home a win.
Lineup of the Week
(Flex Play - 9x | Power Play - 16x)
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
MORE THAN 0.5 Passing Yard
If PrizePicks is going to give us a free square on championship Monday, you’d better believe I’m playing it.
Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
MORE THAN 27.5 Passing Attempts
Leonard hasn’t been forced to throw the ball many times in the playoffs. However, in a game where the Irish are 8.5-point underdogs, some negative game script could change that really fast. The only way I see that losing is if Ohio State gets TOO MUCH pressure on Leonard, forcing him to leave the pocket. However, a cleaner pocket may be on its way if injured OT Charles Jagusah returns to left tackle to play over true freshman Anthonie Knapp. Jagusah injured his shoulder in the preseason and has missed the entire season, but he saw some action at guard against Penn State in the semifinals. Indeed, Jagusah shined against a good defensive line.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
MORE THAN 10.5 Longest Reception
This one is very simple. Henderson is the most utilized running back in the passing game for the Buckeyes. And as explosive as he is on the ground, he’s even more explosive when he catches the ball. He has had a reception greater than 10 yards in seven of his last eight games, and I don’t believe he stops here.
Mitch Jeter, K, Notre Dame
MORE THAN 5.5 Kicking Points
One of the forgotten stories of this Notre Dame team is Jeter’s ability to rise to the occasion in these playoffs after having a regular season where he struggled greatly. He was just 6-of-12 on field goals in the regular season but has been 7-of-8 since the Irish’s bout with the Hoosiers in December. Ohio State has not only one of the best defenses in the country but also a fantastic red zone defense. Notre Dame has been able to manufacture a lot of points during these playoffs, and a lot of it is thanks to Jeter.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
MORE THAN 0.5 Rush + Rec TD (Demon)
Love didn’t look very injured to me last weekend, and Marcus Freeman has declared him a “full go.” Love scored a touchdown in every game this season except vs. Georgia, where he left early due to injury. If I get a Love rushing or receiving touchdown as a demon, I’m taking that every time.
Other Dawson Selections
(Flex Play - 14x | Power Play - 24x)
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State - LESS THAN 11.5 Rushing Yards
Gee Scott Jr., TE, Ohio State - MORE THAN 17.5 Receiving Yards
Jordan Faison, WR, Notre Dame - LESS THAN 18.5 Longest Reception
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State - MORE THAN 0.5 Rush + Rec TD (Demon)
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State - MORE THAN 76.5 Rush + Rec Yards
