Rose Bowl 2021: Odds, Daily Fantasy Tips for Notre Dame vs. Alabama
Mac Jones, Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith are expected to be involved heavily for the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Rose Bowl.
The offensive trio has not been slowed down by any challengers throughout the 2020 college football season, and they could add the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense to the list of units it has run through.
Given their importance to the Crimson Tide and the team's ability to produce a high total of points, Jones, Harris and Smith should highlight any daily fantasy roster, whether it be for a single game or for a full New Year's Day or national semifinal slate.
To win those contests, you also need to add lower-salaried players to your roster. A search of Alabama's depth chart could help you with that.
As for Notre Dame, there should not be much trust it can keep pace with Alabama at full strength, but if it attempts to do so, it will be through the Ian Book-led passing game.
Rose Bowl Odds
Spread: Alabama (-20)
Over/Under: 65.5
Money Line: Alabama (-1115; bet $1,115 to win $100); Notre Dame (+600; bet $100 to win $600)
Daily Fantasy Tips
Use Depth Around Alabama's Offensive Stars
A majority of daily fantasy players should select at least two, or all three, of Alabama's offensive stars.
The numbers Jones, Harris and Smith put up over 11 games are too hard to pass up from a volume perspective.
Jones threw for 3,739 yards and 32 touchdowns, Harris ran for 1,262 yards and 24 scores and Smith caught 17 touchdown passes.
If you place each player in your lineup, you will need a depth option to differentiate your squad from other competitors.
John Metchie III had four catches for 62 yards in the SEC Championship game, and he produced over 100 yards in two games during the first half of the campaign.
However, Metchie may be too popular a choice as Alabama's No. 2 wideout to separate yourself from the pack.
Slade Bolden and Miller Forristall are probably the best depth options to include alongside the top quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
Bolden picked up six receptions over the last two games, and Forristall recorded 72 yards in the same span.
Neither player will be targeted a lot, but if they take advantage of their targets, they could be lineup difference-makers around the three standouts.
Choose Michael Mayer From Notre Dame's Passing Attack
If Notre Dame keeps up with Alabama, Book needs to be at his best in the aerial attack.
Freshman tight end Michael Mayer has been a consistent target of the senior quarterback, and he may be utilized in the short passing game across the middle.
In four of the last five games, Mayer has averaged over 10 yards per catch. He had five receptions for 51 yards in the ACC Championship game defeat to the Clemson Tigers.
Mayer could be the perfect value piece to play with an Alabama stack since he should not have a high salary compared to his teammates.
The first-year player ranks third on the team in receiving yards and touchdown catches. He is second in receptions to Javon McKinley.
McKinley and Ben Skowronek may be more popular options to pair with Book in a contrarian stack, or as complements to two of Alabama's stars, but Mayer should give you the best value if you make the popular choice of an Alabama stack.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90
Statistics obtained from ESPN.com
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