THE SLATE (Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook): 

  • 11:30 am ET (FD Only) -- North Carolina (-9.5) vs. South Carolina -- 57.5 O/U (in Charlotte, NC)
  • 3 pm ET -- Tennessee (-6) vs. Purdue -- 65.5 O/U (in Nashville, TN)
  • 7 pm ET -- Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State (-3) -- 55.5 O/U (in Atlanta, GA)
  • 10:30 pm ET -- Wisconsin (-6) vs. Arizona State -- 41 O/U (in Las Vegas, NV)


Implied Team Totals

  1. Tennessee -- 35.75
  2. North Carolina -- 33.5
  3. Purdue -- 29.75
  4. Michigan State -- 29.25
  5. Pittsburgh -- 26.25
  6. South Carolina -- 24
  7. Wisconsin -- 23.5
  8. Arizona State -- 17.5


 

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Sam HowellUNCSCAR  1150030.87
If playing on FanDuel, then Howell is the top QB on that slate for cash. Even though he’s heading to the NFL, the Tar Heels’ dual-threat is choosing to play in this bowl and that means he should be motivated to have a good performance. He can get it done both through the air and on the ground like he’s done all season.
Hendon HookerTENNPUR810024.321080023.48
Unfortunately there aren’t any slam-dunk QB plays on the DK slate, so Hooker is the top choice by default. He should provide a safe cash floor with his rushing and anchor cash lineups while headlining the top offense in the highest total of the slate. You can easily pair him with one of the top two Vols WRs and feel good about it.
Payton ThorneMSUPITT740021.55950021.01
Since Kenneth Walker is skipping this bowl, the Spartans’ offense should rely more on the passing attack here. That puts Thorne in a good spot DFS-wise against Pitt’s 105th-ranked pass defense. He ended the year strong with 26+ DK in three of the last four games and can easily do the same in this matchup.
Nick PattiPITTMSU60002.585002.73
Patti is now starting this bowl with Kenny Pickett out, and he could be a popular Super-Flex in a favorable matchup. Michigan State’s woeful pass defense ranked dead-last in the country in passing yards allowed per game with opposing QBs having success on a weekly basis. Patti should be the next even if he’s inexperienced. He’ll be motivated to play well with Kedon Slovis transferring over for next season.

Other QB to Consider: 

  • Jayden Daniels -- Arizona State ($8,300 DK / $7,600 FD)
  • Aidan O’Connell -- Purdue ($7,800 DK / $10,200 FD)


 

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Braelon AllenWISCASU850021.16980018.56
Even against an above-average Arizona St rush defense, Allen is in a tier of his own at RB on this slate because of how much volume he sees in a run-heavy offense. The freshman can easily rack up 100-200 rushing yards with multiple TDs with his healthy amount of touches as the Badgers’ lead back. Might be hard to fade him in cash just because not many RBs can match his floor/ceiling combo.
Jabari SmallTENNPUR630013.07840012.07
With Tiyon Evans transferring, Small is now the main guy in the Vols’ backfield and faces a middle-of-the-pack Purdue rush defense. In a timeshare with Evans this season, Small averaged 5.4 ypc and ended the year strong with 103 yards and two TDs last game vs. Vandy. Even though Tennessee rotates multiple backs in, he’s still the lead back for the favorite in the highest total of the slate - so he’s in play in all formats.
Daniyel NgataASUWISC58005.8360005.50
Ngata is expected to be Arizona State’s lead back in this bowl game with Rachaad White going pro and DeaMonte Trayanum transferring. Though this matchup vs. Wisconsin’s stout run defense is a tough one, the opportunity and volume should be there for Ngata as the lead guy in ASU’s run-heavy offense. He might be better suited for GPPs, but the chance at a big performance is there.
Jaylen WrightTENNPUR42008.8459008.09
Wright is the Vols’ No. 2 RB with Tiyon Evans transferring and he should get enough carries to return value in a run-focused offense that utilizes multiple backs. Wright was plenty involved in the final two games of the season with Evans sidelined, including double-digit carries and a TD in both while putting up rushing totals of 83 and 112 yards. He could easily smash value with a similar performance in this game.
Jordon SimmonsMSUPITT30004.1975003.49
It remains to be seen how and if Michigan State replaces Kenneth Walker’s rushing production, but at least we know it’s Simmons and/or Elijah Collins as the next men up. Simmons has been the main backup to Walker all season, totaling 255 rushing yards on 54 carries while adding six receptions for 24 yards and a TD. Whether you want to play Collins or Simmons, both are GPP-only plays against Pitt’s top 10 rush defense.

Other RB to Consider: 

  • Ty Chandler -- North Carolina ($9,000 FD Only)
  • Zander Horvath -- Purdue ($5,200 DK / $6,200 FD)
  • Connor Heyward -- Michigan State ($3,700 DK / $5,100 FD)


 

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jordan AddisonPITTMSU900028.67960022.19
Even though Pickett isn’t playing, Addison remains a top WR option on this slate against arguably the worst secondary in the country. He’s been one of the best DFS wideouts all year and the sophomore should be motivated to have a good bowl performance heading into next season. All we have to worry about is if new QB Nick Patti can get him the ball enough.
Josh DownsUNCSCAR  950019.53
On the FD slate, Downs is the top UNC pass-catcher to pair with Sam Howell if you want to go that route. The duo has lit it up all season and even a tougher South Carolina pass defense likely won’t slow them down here. The Heels’ receiving production is usually top-heavy with Downs headlining, so the cash floor is definitely there.
Cedric TillmanTENNPUR720019.64900015.96
Tillman developed a strong connection with Hooker in the second half of this season and it should carry over into this bowl game. He’s scored in six straight games coming into this one with impressive performances of 200 receiving yards vs. Georgia and 152 yards vs. Alabama. Though he’s a bit expensive, Tillman is the top pairing option with Hooker in lineups.
Jalen NailorMSUPITT550016.42750013.74
Nailor is now healthy after missing the last few games of the season and he should step right back into his previous role of being a top target in the MSU offense. As mentioned above with Thorne, the Sparty passing attack has a favorable matchup vs. Pitt’s secondary and we should see plenty of Nailor and Jayden Reed as the top playmakers with Kenneth Walker out.
Jackson AnthropPURTENN500011.2274009.14
With David Bell off to the NFL and Milton Wright sidelined, it’s Anthrop who’s now the most accomplished WR for Purdue in this bowl game. Even though he was usually the third option in the passing game, Anthrop was more involved in the final stretch of the regular season and put up 16+ DK in four of the last five games. He’s a notable bargain on this slate and should be popular in cash as O’Connell’s top target now.
Velus Jones Jr.TENNPUR480014.64800011.64
Not sure what DK was thinking here, but Jones Jr. is way too cheap on that slate. Though he hasn’t been as consistent as Tillman in terms of big stat lines or DFS performances, Jones Jr. is still a top target for Hooker and has the real potential to 5x his DK price tag here. He’s a TD or big gain waiting to happen any time he catches the ball and he should return value easily in this high total matchup.
TJ SheffieldPURTENN45007.4652006.45
Sheffield now moves into more playing time and a bigger role in the Purdue receiving corps with Bell and Wright both out. There’s a chance that this is the best value on the slate if we assume Sheffield steps into the same DFS production that Bell and Wright were usually responsible for. Still, he was involved enough previously to put up double-digits even when those guys were there.

Other WR to Consider: 

  • Jayden Reed -- Michigan State ($6,900 DK / $8,600 FD)
  • Jared Wayne -- Pittsburgh ($5,400 DK / $6,500 FD)
  • Ricky Pearsall -- Arizona State ($5,100 DK / $6,400 FD)
  • Lucas Krull -- Pittsburgh ($4,400 DK / $6,000 FD)
  • Jake Ferguson -- Wisconsin ($4,000 DK / $5,700 FD)
  • Broc Thompson -- Purdue ($3,600 DK / $6,000 FD)


 

DraftKings Core Plays 

  • Hendon Hooker -- Tennessee
  • Jackson Anthrop -- Purdue
  • Velus Jones Jr. -- Tennessee

 

FanDuel Core Plays 

  • Sam Howell -- North Carolina
  • Josh Downs -- North Carolina
  • Jackson Anthrop -- Purdue