WE ARE SO BACK. This is Pick ‘Em & Rip ‘EM sponsored by PrizePicks, where we just pick them, and you’d better believe we absolutely rip them. With games starting as early as Thursday, I have to get my feet wet now. I probably have more money pending in lineups right now than David Nuño’s monthly protein powder budget. While I won’t give you all of my plays, I have quite a few to keep you satisfied.
*Numbers are subject to change*
Aggie of the Week
TE Theo Melin Öhrström
MORE THAN 0.5 Rec + Rush TD
This is a big-time market play. The rest of the market has a payout anywhere between 5x to 5.5x, but PrizePicks is throwing us a gem, giving us a 6x play to bolster any lineup. Öhrström scored two big-time touchdowns early in the season last year, and I anticipate him getting that chance again this weekend.
Lineup of the Week
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
MORE THAN 0.5 Passing Yard
If PrizePicks is going to give us a free square for the first week of the NFL season, you better believe that we’re using that.
Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
MORE THAN 54.5 Receiving Yards
I don’t think people really understand how effective this Baylor passing attack was in the back half of the season in 2024. Sawyer Robertson returns at QB with his favorite target, Cameron, and an offensive line that has a lot of snaps on it. Baylor may be a scary team — not just for Auburn, but for everyone on their schedule.
DeSean Bishop, RB, Tennessee
MORE THAN 57.5 Rushing Yards
Dylan Sampson was the feature back a season ago and earned himself first-team all-SEC honors in the process. With a potential downgrade at QB, the Vols may need to continue relying on their ground game. I like Bishop to be the guy here. Syracuse also loses plenty of talent from their 10-win team last season, and the Orange may not be able to handle what Tennessee brings up front. Give me Bishop to look sharp in week one.
Maalik Murphy, QB, Oregon State
MORE THAN 219.5 Passing Yards
Murphy is coming off a season at Duke where he threw the ball more than 219 yards most of the time. He is also playing against the Cal Bears, who lost NFL DBs Nohl Williams, Craig Woodson and Marcus Harris this offseason. As a home favorite against a team with a depleted secondary, give me Murphy to light up these Bears.
Eric McAlister, WR, TCU
MORE THAN 75.5 Receiving Yards
Jack Bech and Savion Williams are off to the NFL. With Josh Hoover being one of the most effective passers in the entire country, the receiving yards have to be distributed somewhere. Enter the hometown hero, Eric McAlister, who transferred in from Boise State just a year ago. He is primed to take over this room and possibly the country by storm.
Other Dawson Selections
Drake Lindsey, QB, Minnesota - LESS THAN 26.5 Passing Attempts
Billy Edwards Jr., QB, Wisconsin - MORE THAN 20.5 Rushing Yards
Damari Alston, RB, Auburn - LESS THAN 1.5 Receptions
James Peoples, RB, Ohio State - MORE THAN 8.5 Receiving Yards
Carson Beck, QB, Miami - MORE THAN 0.5 INT
