THE SLATE (Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook): 

  • 12 pm ET -- Penn State vs. Arkansas (-2.5) -- 48.5 O/U (in Tampa, FL)
  • 1 pm ET -- Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame (-1) -- 44.5 O/U (in Glendale, AZ)
  • 1 pm ET -- Iowa vs. Kentucky (-3) -- 44 O/U (in Orlando, FL)
  • 5 pm ET -- Utah vs. Ohio State (-4) -- 64 O/U (in Pasadena, CA)
  • 8:45 pm ET -- Baylor vs. Ole Miss (-1) -- 57 O/U (in New Orleans, LA)

 

Implied Team Totals

  1. Ohio State -- 34
  2. Utah -- 30
  3. Ole Miss -- 29
  4. Baylor -- 28
  5. Arkansas -- 25.5
  6. Kentucky -- 23.5
  7. Penn State -- 23
  8. Notre Dame -- 22.75
  9. Oklahoma State -- 21.75
  10. Iowa -- 20.5


 

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
C.J. StroudOSUUTAH990029.221150026.95
Stroud has been a top DFS QB option all year and it continues today, even though his top two receivers are sitting out. Ohio State is the slate’s highest-projected scoring team in this Rose Bowl matchup and Stroud should have no issues anchoring your cash lineups. Hopefully he’s motivated enough to build a new chemistry with the younger WRs heading into next season.
Matt CorralMISSBAY910029.411070027.97
If you’re not playing Stroud, then Corral is the top-tier pivot in cash or GPP at likely lower rostership. The Ole Miss dual-threat is choosing to play in this bowl even though he’ll be a first-round Draft pick - so ideally he’ll be ready to close his college career on a high note. He underperformed DFS-wise late in the season, but he has the ceiling to put up 35+ DK points like he was earlier this year.
Spencer SandersOKSTND680020.47770020.18
Anyone want to ride the Spencer Sanders roller coaster one last time this season? It’s always a risk with the OK State dual-threat either giving you a solid 25-30 DK points at value in the Super-Flex or hurting your lineups with less than 20. At least his rushing gives him some floor, though his five-turnover performance from the Big 12 title game is a bleak reminder of the downside.
Cameron RisingUTAHOSU670019.57900020.52
Since the OSU/Utah matchup stands out as the most DFS-friendly of the slate with a few lower-scoring games, Rising may end up as the chalky Super-Flex - especially if you want to game stack with Stroud on the opposite side. Rising has some upside here against a below-average Ohio St pass defense in a possible shootout.

Other QB to Consider: 

  • Will Levis -- Kentucky ($7,100 DK / $8,800 FD)
  • Sean Clifford -- Penn State ($6,000 DK / $8,000 FD)


 

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
TreVeyon HendersonOSUUTAH820024.311050022.60
Ohio State’s lead RB is the clear top rusher on this slate without many high-priced guys in action. Though this matchup vs. Utah is a tougher one, Henderson should see enough work as both a runner and pass-catcher with Olave and Wilson out. Expect the majority of the Buckeyes’ offensive production to land on Stroud, Henderson and Smith-Njigba.
Abram SmithBAYMISS680019.75830016.59
Thankfully for us, it looks like Smith will be playing in this bowl to boost his Draft stock. Baylor’s lead back gets a very favorable matchup against the subpar Ole Miss rush defense that gave up 4.32 ypc, 183 ypg and two TDs per game this season. With Gerry Bohanon possibly till nursing his recent hamstring injury, we could see Smith get heavy volume once again like he did down the stretch of the regular season. He might be the top cash RB of the slate.
Jaylen WarrenOKSTND610019.28820017.17
After being held out of the Big 12 title game, Warren says he’s “100%” coming into this bowl game. Considering the unknown of Warren’s actual health and workload, it’s a boom-or-bust GPP play for this slate in a low-total game. However, the possibility at 100+ yards and multiple TDs is there as the lead back of a run-first offense.
Logan DiggsNDOKST38007.0968006.94
Even though Chris Tyree will likely start in Notre Dame’s backfield with Kyren Williams sitting out, Diggs should see plenty of work as the team looks towards next season. The freshman has been solid when given the opportunity this season, averaging 4.7 ypc with four TDs scored on his 43 carries. The matchup vs. OK State’s rush defense is a tough one, but the opportunity is there for Diggs to show what he’s got in an expanded role.
Gavin WilliamsIOWAUK36003.160002.75
Though Kelly-Martin is now listed as Iowa’s starting RB with Tyler Goodson sitting out, Williams has reportedly been practicing with the first-team offense and he could end up seeing the majority of backfield touches in this bowl game. Williams hasn’t been involved much this season, but he did have season-highs in carries (12) and rush yards (56) in the Big Ten title game vs. Michigan.

Other RB to Consider: 

  • Tavion Thomas -- Utah ($7,500 DK / $9,800 FD)
  • Trestan Ebner -- Baylor ($4,900 DK / $5,700 FD)
  • Chris Tyree -- Notre Dame ($3,100 DK / $6,300 FD)
  • Ivory Kelly-Martin -- Iowa ($3,000 DK / $5,400 FD)


 

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jaxon Smith-NjigbaOSUUTAH770021.661000016.82
With Olave and Wilson both opting out of this game, Smith-Njigba is now Ohio State’s No. 1 WR and he’ll likely be popular in all formats - especially as a pairing with Stroud. The sophomore was actually the Buckeyes’ leader in receptions and receiving yards this season and put up some big DFS performances when Wilson was out previously this year. The chemistry is already there with Stroud and the duo should be motivated to have a good game going into next season.
Tay MartinOKSTND730020.5820016.23
As the top receiving target in OK State’s offense, Martin’s PPR DFS value is pretty safe with a high floor of reception volume. He racked up 70 catches and 942 yards over 11 games this year and could be targeted heavily in this bowl - especially with Blaine Green being out. He’s the top Cowboys’ WR to pair with Spencer Sanders.
Michael MayerNDOKST590016.07740012.62
The Irish tight end is one of the best in the country and somehow still has another year left before he can go pro. Mayer will likely go lower-rostered on this slate, but he’ll provide a solid DFS floor for cash with the GPP upside to break the slate if he scores a couple times.
Parker WashingtonPSUARK530013.2780008.67
With Jahan Dotson sitting out, Washington becomes Penn State’s top WR for this bowl game. Despite playing second-fiddle to Dotson this season, he still racked up 722 receiving yards and 57 catches over 12 games and can easily return value in an expanded role - especially at the cheaper DK price tag.
Julian FlemingOSUUTAH38003.0253002.43
Olave and Wilson sitting out opens up a ton of playing time and targets in the Ohio State offense at the receiver spots. The two guys that should benefit the most from the expanded role are Julian Fleming and Marvin Harrison Jr., both of which were top-ranked WRs in their recruiting classes the last two years. Fleming might be the more popular of the two since he’s been more involved this season and actually started the Big Ten title game a year ago when Olave sat out. Both can return value at some dirt cheap prices.
KeAndre Lambert-SmithPSUARK34007.3167005.13
After being Penn State’s third receiving option all season, he’ll now have a bigger role in the offense for this bowl with Jahan Dotson sitting out. Though we shouldn’t expect a ton of production in a low-total game, the opportunity is there for him to return value - especially if the Arkansas defense focuses on covering Parker Washington more.
De'Vion WarrenARKPSU32004.4155003.73
Since Treylon Burks is sitting this bowl out, we have Warren moving into the starting slot receiver position and likely seeing a bigger role in the Arkansas offense. Burks was extremely productive out of the slot this season and we could easily see Warren smash value at these cheap prices. Warren Thompson is another name worth rostering as he now moves into a starting WR role.

Other WR to Consider: 

  • Wan’Dale Robinson -- Kentucky ($8,200 DK / $9,000 FD)
  • Dontario Drummond -- Ole Miss ($6,800 DK / $8,600 FD)
  • Tyquan Thornton -- Baylor ($5,800 DK / $7,800 FD)
  • Dalton Kincaid -- Utah ($4,200 DK / $5,900 FD)
  • Warren Thompson -- Arkansas ($3,300 DK / $5,800 FD)
  • Marvin Harrison Jr. -- Ohio State ($3,000 DK / $5,100 FD)
     

Core Plays 

  • C.J. Stroud -- Ohio State
  • Abram Smith -- Baylor
  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba -- Ohio State