THE SLATE (Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook): 

  • 2:15 pm ET -- Maryland (-3.5) vs. Virginia Tech -- 54.5 O/U (in Bronx, NY)
  • 5:45 pm ET -- Clemson (-2.5) vs. Iowa State -- 44 O/U (in Orlando, FL)
  • 9:15 pm ET -- Oregon vs. Oklahoma (-6.5) -- 60 O/U (in San Antonio, TX) 

 

Implied Team Totals

  1. Oklahoma -- 33.25
  2. Maryland -- 29
  3. Oregon -- 26.75
  4. Virginia Tech -- 25.5
  5. Clemson -- 23.25
  6. Iowa State -- 20.75


 

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Caleb WilliamsOUORE820021.371200022.26
Williams is far and away the best QB option on this short slate and the freshman should be motivated to have a good performance in his first bowl action. By now you know about the high-upside rushing ability Williams brings to the table, which gives him a safe floor as well. The Oregon defense is missing tons of players and will likely struggle to contain Williams and the Sooner offense despite Lincoln Riley now at USC.
Anthony BrownOREOU710021.69940021.74
Many cash rosters will likely have either Brown or Tagovailoa as the Super-Flex with Williams as the QB1. For me, Brown gets the slight edge on both sites with a favorable matchup against the 108th-ranked OU pass defense and in a high total game. Brown will have to throw and run a lot in this one to keep the Oregon offense on pace with the Sooners.
Brock PurdyISUCLEM590018.06800017.73
With Breece Hall sitting out, a lot more offensive responsibility now falls on Purdy as both a passer and runner. Though this matchup vs. Clemson is definitely tough on paper, there’s the GPP upside for Purdy to smash value if he racks up the yardage and is responsible for 2-3 TDs in a bigger dual-threat role than usual. Plus, who knows how good the Clemson defense will be with the defensive coordinator no longer there.
Connor BlumrickVTUMD55009.3675009.10
Blumrick is expected to start under center for Virginia Tech with Braxton Burmeister in the transfer portal. While he hasn’t seen much action this season, the former Texas A&M transfer has shown some dual-threat ability when given the playing time - like his 132 rushing yards vs. Miami back in Week 12. He could end up being popular against a subpar Maryland defense at some cheap price tags.

Other QB to Consider: 

  • Taulia Tagovailoa -- Maryland ($6,700 DK / $10,200 FD)


 

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Travis DyeOREOU720022.861050021.18
Ever since Dye took over lead back duties with Verdell out, he’s been a DFS stud nearly every week. The guy has at least 28 DK points in six of eight games in the lead role with 20 DK in another. He’s the Ducks’ top red-zone weapon, is plenty involved as a pass-catcher and gets a healthy amount of carries. With tons of Oregon receivers out, we should see Dye heavily involved.
Kennedy BrooksOUORE620016.25940015.34
Brooks has been public about playing in this bowl game instead of opting out, which is a lot more than can be said about other OU offensive players. The Sooners’ lead back is coming off a 1,000+ yard season with 10 TDs over 12 games. It’s hard to say how many carries he sees with Lincoln Riley no longer calling plays, but Brooks is a strong play in cash or GPP on this slate as the lead RB for the highest-scoring team.
Raheem BlackshearVTUMD590013.9780013.05
Blackshear has declared for the NFL Draft but still intends to play in this game. That’s a good sign if you were thinking about playing him because this is a good opportunity for Blackshear to showcase his talents one more time to scouts. He gets a favorable matchup vs. Maryland’s below-average rush defense and can easily pay off the value in cash.
Byron CardwellOREOU40006.4149006.43
While Dye is the headliner in Oregon’s backfield, Cardwell could see more work than usual in this bowl game with the coaching staff looking towards next season. The freshman has been impressive running the ball when given the chance, averaging 7.3 ypc in a backup role to Dye once Verdell got hurt. Cardwell is worth a shot in GPPs as a salary-saver who could return 4x value if he’s given enough touches.
Colby McDonaldUMDVT31005.7354005.07
You can consider Tayon Fleet-Davis from Maryland’s backfield on this slate, but McDonald is also worth a look at some cheap price tags against the shaky Virginia Tech rush defense. The freshman was more involved late in the season when he had 18 carries for 68 yards and then 15 carries for 99 yards in the final two games. That’s really encouraging going into this bowl game and we’ll take double-digit carries with the potential to score all day to save salary.

Other RB to Consider: 

  • Will Shipley -- Clemson ($6,900 DK / $8,400 FD)
  • Jirehl Brock -- Iowa State ($5,700 DK / $7,000 FD)
  • Tayon Fleet-Davis -- Maryland ($5,300 DK / $8,700 FD)
  • Kobe Pace -- Clemson ($4,800 DK / $6,400 FD)


 

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Xavier HutchinsonISUCLEM720018.84850014.52
It’s always risky rostering any opposing player vs. Clemson, but Hutchinson shouldn’t go overlooked on this slate without many top-tier pass-catchers. Pairing Iowa State’s top wideout with Brock Purdy makes for an interesting contrarian stack with people likely avoiding the offense altogether. Charlie Kolar is also in play for the same reason.
Rakim JarrettUMDVT580014.34800010.85
Jarrett benefited DFS-wise later in the season with Maryland dealing with tons of injuries at receiver, and that should continue in this bowl game. He’s a clear favorite target of Taulia Tagovailoa and will have a solid floor of receptions with the upside to get into the end zone. Considering the lack of top-end WRs, Jarrett might be popular as a pairing with Taulia or just a one-off.
Kris HutsonOREOU48005.3858004.45
By default, Hutson is one of the only Oregon pass-catchers available for this bowl game that actually saw meaningful playing time during the regular season. With Devon Williams, Jaylon Redd, Johnny Johnson and Mycah Pittman all out, it’s basically Hutson and Troy Franklin as the top two targets for the Ducks. The freshman Hutson had a couple good games at the end of the regular season and has at least built a rapport with Anthony Brown.
Chigoziem OkonkwoUMDVT470011.5766009.31
The Terps’ tight end declared for the Draft but will play in this bowl as he looks to boost his pro stock. Good for us, since he’d become a favorite target for Taulia Tagovailoa in the final stretch of the regular season with Maryland dealing with injuries in the receiving corps. Okonkwo can easily return value with upside for more with his reception volume.
Mario WilliamsOUORE43009.5254006.98
Williams had been hard to trust DFS-wise all season on a crowded Sooners offense that spread the ball around to multiple playmakers. For this bowl game, though, the true freshman should be a top target for Caleb Williams as both look towards next season’s chemistry. With Jadon Haselwood, Austin Stogner and Drake Stoops all transferring, Williams should step into more targets.
Joseph NgataCLEMISU41009.8560007.66
Despite not playing since early November with a foot injury, Ngata is expected to play in this bowl game after practicing this past week. He could step right into a sizable role for Clemson’s passing attack with Justyn Ross and E.J. Williams both missing from the receiving corps. It’s likely a GPP play due to the Tigers being run-heavy, but he could easily return value and more.
Trevon WestOUORE30003.2651002.86
West is now listed as the starting X receiver for OU with Jadon Haselwood transferring. Though West only totaled four receptions for 45 yards with 78 rushing yards added in across the whole regular season, there’s something to be said about a guy that isn’t transferring away or opting out and instead stepping into an increased opportunity in a high-scoring Sooners offense. Another name to look at is Theo Wease, who’s listed as a backup on the depth chart despite being out all year.
Jaylen JonesVTUMD30002.550002.00
Jones is now listed as a starter on Virginia Tech’s depth chart for this bowl game with Tre Turner going pro and Tayvion Robinson transferring. While he only has one catch all season, Jones could see plenty of targets with both Kaleb Smith and Da’Wain Lofton (VT’s other starting WRs) reportedly dealing with injuries. It won’t take much for him to return value at these dirt cheap prices.

Other WR to Consider: 

  • Charlie Kolar -- Iowa State ($6,400 DK / $7,000 FD)
  • Marvin Mims -- Oklahoma ($5,300 DK / $7,400 FD)
  • Troy Franklin -- Oregon ($4,200 DK / $5,300 FD)
  • Kaleb Smith -- Virginia Tech ($3,500 DK / $6,100 FD)
  • Theo Wease -- Oklahoma ($3,000 DK / $4,500 FD)

 

Core Plays:

  • QB Caleb Williams -- Oklahoma 
  • RB Travis Dye -- Oregon
  • WR Jaylen Jones -- Virginia Tech