DFS College Football: Underdog Fantasy Picks for the College Football Playoff Championship

Find the best Underdog Fantasy plays for the College Football Playoff National Championship between Miami and Indiana.
DFS College Football: Underdog Fantasy Picks for the College Football Playoff Championship

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Each week throughout the season and the postseason I've shared my favorite college player props as part of our DFS College Football series.

I find my edge with RotoWire's Picks & Props tool. Multiple prediction factors help decide if we should lean "higher" or "lower" on all of the player props available across multiple sportsbooks and DFS sites. I use the tool as a starting point to highlight favorable prop lines that I might otherwise miss and to narrow down my options before doing a deeper dive into trends and matchups.

Below are the best picks you can make on Underdog Fantasy for the CFP National Championship on Monday night in Miami.

QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

After recording at least 18 rush yards in nine of the first 10 games this season, Mendoza has only topped the number twice in the past five games. In total, he faced seven matchups against top 40 rush defenses and came up short of 17 yards in four of them, averaging 11.1 yards.

Next up is Miami's sixth-ranked rush defense, allowing just 86.5 rush yards per game. Add in the fact that Miami leads the country in total sacks this season, and the yards lost on two or three sacks should erase any yardage that Mendoza might be able to pick up on designed runs and scrambles.

CFB Underdog Pick: Fernando Mendoza LOWER than 16.5 rush yards

RB Roman Hemby, Indiana

Hemby has been splitting carries evenly with Kaelon Black since Week 10, limiting the upside for both players. Add in some tougher matchups down the stretch, and Hemby has only topped 58 yards in two of the past six games.

In general, Hemby's efficiency has dropped off since Week 7, as he has only had one game in which he averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in that period. Black has been the more explosive player and has earned more touches, as he has reached that mark in six games during the same stretch.

Considering Miami's elite play in the trenches, it's hard to envision either Hemby or Black exceeding 60 yards as long as they are splitting touches.

CFB Underdog Pick: Roman Hemby LOWER than 61.5 rush yards

WR Keelan Marion, Miami

Marion has quietly emerged as a solid weapon since Week 10 alongside Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels, averaging over four receptions and 70 receiving yards per game. More recently, he has 15 catches on 23 targets during this playoff run. That kind of volume has me bullish on his receptions prop in a matchup where his team will likely be playing from behind at some point in this game.

In two dominant playoff wins, Indiana has allowed seven different players to record at least four receptions, and Toney, Daniels and Marion all have a good shot to reach that mark.

CFB Underdog Pick: Keelan Marion HIGHER than 3.5 receptions

WR Joshisa Trader, Miami

Trader hasn't made a huge impact on this championship run, but he has been active and targeted in each of the past eight games, registering at least one catch in seven of the eight and averaging 8.5 yards per target.

Indiana's defense has been great at every level, but there is some room to exploit the middle of the field. I think we'll see Trader operating in that area and pulling in at least a catch or two to easily surpass this number, especially with starting tight end Elija Lofton (lower body) ruled out.

CFB Underdog Pick: Joshisa Trader HIGHER than 4.5 receiving yards

 

College Football Playoff Underdog Fantasy Selections:

Here's a recap of my best college football player prop bets for College Football National Championship:

Last week's results:

Last week's record: 1-3

2025 Season record: 40-30 (57.1%)

For additional recommendations for Underdog, PrizePicks and other similar sites, check out our College Football Picks page or download the RotoWire Picks app.

For more fantasy college football content, be sure to check out features like our college football injury reportcollege football depth charts and latest college football news.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steve has served several roles with RotoWire, starting as an intern working on breaking news and analysis and moving to NBA beat writer. Now a multi-sport contributor, he specializes in college fantasy football, guillotine league strategy and sports betting. He's also the undisputed best bowler at RotoWire and will be thrilled when fantasy bowling becomes a thing someday.
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