The Indiana Hoosiers have the chance to etch their names in history and become the first team to go 16-0 since 1894, but the Miami Hurricanes have proven they slay giants already, setting the stage for one of the most highly anticipated National Championship games in recent memory.
For this College Football Playoff National Championship matchup, our top player props feature Indiana running back Kaelon Black, Miami quarterback Carson Beck, and Indiana kicker Nico Radicic.
Here are my top three Miami vs Indiana player props and college football picks for the National Championship game on Monday, Jan. 19.
Miami vs Indiana Player Props
- Kaelon Black Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+115 · BetRivers)
- Carson Beck Over 19.5 Pass Completions (+100 · Hard Rock)
- Nico Radicic Over 6.5 Kicking Points (+105 · Hard Rock)
Kaelon Black Antyime Touchdown Scorer
We know by now that this Indiana offense is methodical when entering the red zone, and the efficiency of their running back duo is a big part of their success.
Throughout the College Football Playoff, we've seen Roman Hemby lead the way in terms of touches in the red zone, but Kaelon Black has done damage with less than half the volume.
Black has found paydirt three times in the past two games, proving he's the bigger back around the goal line, but he also has the vision and speed to break off bigger runs.
So, yes, Black is the No. 2 option in the backfield, but he will get his share of high-value touches, and at this price, there's too much value to be had considering he's scored in eight of 15 games this season.
Pick: Kaelon Black Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+115 · BetRivers)
Carson Beck Over 19.5 Pass Completions
Miami is a sizable underdog in this matchup and is projected to be trailing by multiple scores.
That game script likely means that Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck will need to make things happen through the air if they want to hang with the Hoosiers.
While Fernando Mendoza gets the spotlight in this matchup, Beck has been excellent in his own right this season. He ranked third nationally in completion percentage and 24th in yards per pass.
He faces an Indiana defense that creates pressure and forces turnovers, but does allow its fair share of completions. Look for Beck to get the ball to his playmakers in the short-to-intermediate range against the Hoosiers as he takes what they allow.
Beck has gone over this total in 11 of 15 games this season, including all three of their losses.
He should go down slinging on Monday.
Pick: Carson Beck Over 19.5 Pass Completions (+100 · Hard Rock)
Nico Radicic Over 6.5 Kicking Points
Perhaps the most overlooked player on a Hoosiers team that averaged 40.4 points per game this season is kicker Nico Radicic.
Radicic is as automatic as they come at the collegiate level, having made 92% of his field goal attempts without missing a single extra point.
He had averaged only 1.2 field goal attempts per game, so he's greatly benefited from the offense punching in scores and converting on nearly five extra points per game.
With Indiana's team total sitting right around 28, we should expect at least three to four touchdowns.
However, the Hurricanes are great at getting off the field, ranking 11th nationally in third-down conversion rate allowed and 32nd in red zone scoring rate allowed.
Although they are also 57th in opponent field goal conversion rate. Those numbers point to the Hurricanes getting stops well within their own territory on multiple occasions.
This opens the door for multiple field goal attempts from Radicic, who's given us no reason to doubt his ability as he's eclipsed this prop line in every game this season.
Pick: Nico Radicic Over 6.5 Kicking Points (+105 · Hard Rock)
