NOTE: The UCLA/NC State game has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

 

THE SLATE (Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook): 

  • 12 pm ET (FD Only) -- Houston vs. Auburn (-2) -- 51 O/U (in Birmingham, AL) 
  • 3:15 pm ET -- Air Force vs. Louisville (-1.5) -- 54.5 O/U (in Dallas, TX)
  • 6:45 pm ET -- Mississippi State (-10) vs. Texas Tech -- 58.5 O/U (in Memphis, TN)
  • 8 pm ET -- UCLA vs. NC State (-2) -- 60 O/U (in San Diego, CA)
  • 10:15 pm ET -- West Virginia vs. Minnesota (-5) -- 45 O/U (in Phoenix, AZ)
     

**NOTE: The Houston/Auburn game is only on the FanDuel slate and specific players/write-ups from that game aren’t included in this playbook. Check out the “Also Consider” section for players from that game or hit me up in the CFB Discord channel.
 

Implied Team Totals (per DK Sportsbook Odds)

  1. Mississippi State -- 34.25
  2. NC State -- 31 
  3. UCLA -- 29
  4. Louisville -- 28
  5. Air Force -- 26.5
  6. Auburn -- 26.5 (FD)
  7. Minnesota -- 25
  8. Houston -- 24.5 (FD)
  9. Texas Tech -- 24.25
  10. West Virginia -- 20


 

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Will RogersMSSTTTU880028.31120024.49
The Texas Tech pass defense was one of the worst in the country this season, ranking 118th nationally in passing yards allowed per game. It makes for a very favorable matchup for Rogers and the pass-heavy, Air Raid attack of Mississippi State. Expect Rogers to be popular in cash because of the high DFS floor he has in this matchup and the likelihood he tosses 300+ yards and multiple TDs.
Dorian Thompson-RobinsonUCLANCST850026.971040026.31
At his best, DTR was one of the best DFS QBs in college football this season with his dual-threat upside in the uptempo, high-scoring UCLA offense. He ended the year on a high note with 47 and 33 DK in the last two games and hopefully that carries over into this high total matchup vs. NC State before he possibly goes pro. If you’re fading Rogers, then DTR is the top-tier pivot - though you can jam in both.
Devin LearyNCSTUCLA780024.661000023.08
Leary gets a good matchup here vs. UCLA’s subpar pass defense that ranked 110th nationally in passing yards allowed per game this year. This game should feature plenty of offense on both ends and Leary is the catalyst in NC State’s pass-centric attack. He makes for a solid Super-Flex in cash at an affordable price point after posting a 35:5 TD:INT ratio over 12 games.
Haaziq DanielsAFUL560016.19820014.69
If you’re going cheap for your QB2 Super-Flex, then it comes down to Daniels or Texas Tech’s Donovan Smith. For me, Daniels has the slight edge if we get official word he’s playing. The Air Force dual-threat missed the regular season finale with an illness but is expected to play. He’s facing the shaky Louisville defense and can gash them both through the air and on the ground for the realistic possibility at 20 DK at such an affordable price.

Also Consider: 

  • Malik Cunningham -- Louisville ($8,600 DK / $10,800 FD)
  • Donovan Smith -- Texas Tech ($5,400 DK / $7,500 FD)


 

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Brad RobertsAFUL750018.91950017.71
Though he’s expensive, we know Roberts will have the volume in the run-heavy, triple-option Air Force offense. He’s been a workhorse back all season and should be plenty busy in this favorable matchup vs. Louisville’s below-average rush defense. Over the last three games, he’s averaging 25 carries for 122 yards with at least 20 DK and a TD in each. It’s not unreasonable to expect a similar stat line here as a solid cash play.
Zach CharbonnetUCLANCST740021.53900018.78
While Roberts provides a safe floor among the high-end RBs, Charbonnet is the upside play with a solid floor of his own as UCLA’s lead back. He ended the year with 26+ DK in each of the last three games while seeing heavy volume in the Bruins backfield with Brittain Brown out. Though Brown is expected to play, Charbonnet could easily be the slate’s highest-scoring player with a proven ceiling of 30+ DK multiple times this season.
Dillon JohnsonMSSTTTU530014.41690011.47
Even though Miss St rolls with a pass-heavy offense, the backs still have a solid DFS cash floor because of their involvement as receivers out of the backfield. This puts both Jo’quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson in play in this high total game. Johnson gets the slight nod because of the savings for similar production and workload as the 1B to Marks.
Ricky Person Jr.NCSTUCLA510013.22630011.72
The NC State backfield is basically split right down the middle between Person Jr. and Zonovan Knight. Both are in play as GPP options in this high total game, but Person is the better per-dollar play for the savings and pretty equal production game-to-game compared to Knight. Either has the potential to score multiple times in this bowl though.
Tony Mathis Jr.WVUMINN35003.8962003.59
With Leddie Brown opting out, Mathis is expected to take on the lead back role for West Virginia. While this is a tough matchup vs. Minnesota’s strong rush defense, at least the volume should be there for a guy that’s dirt cheap in the RB player pool. Mathis rushed for 118 yards last game vs. Kansas and has shown the ability to perform when given extended touches. If looking for a value RB, Mathis is basically the only one worth it in cash.

Also Consider: 

  • Ky Thomas -- Minnesota ($6,600 DK / $8,500 FD)
  • Jo’quavious Marks -- Mississippi State ($6,200 DK / $8,400 FD)
  • Tahj Brooks -- Texas Tech ($3,600 DK / $5,900 FD)


 

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Makai PolkMSSTTTU790021.991000016.58
In Mississippi State’s Air Raid offense, Polk ended up leading the SEC in receptions (98) as he’s been a favorite receiver for Will Rogers all season. His DFS floor is thus higher than most pass-catchers on this slate and could be a popular pairing with Rogers in cash despite the expensive salary. If you can presumably lock in 20-30 DK with Polk, then he’s worth it on this slate without many trustworthy receivers.
Emeka EmezieNCSTUCLA630015.6800012.35
Emezie is better suited for GPPs because he’s been boom-or-bust all season. The boom, though, has been slate-breaking at times with 40 and 33 DK in two of the last three games. Still, he’s been held to one or two catches for less than 10 DFS points in other weeks. Thayer Thomas offers the better cash floor among NC State’s receivers, but Emezie has the higher upside.
DeAndre HughesAFUL62008.8751008.59
Though he’s listed as a receiver, Hughes is DFS-viable because of his role as a ball-carrier in Air Force’s triple option offense. Though he’s only had a few good games this season, those performances include a whopping 221 rushing yards, two TD and 39 DK in Week 12 as a focal point of the offense. After sitting out the regular season finale, Hughes is expected back for this bowl game - but check pre-game news to see if he’s playing for sure.
Winston Wright Jr.WVUMINN550014.03710010.73
Wright Jr. is one of the only West Virginia players worth rostering on this slate, but just be wary of this tough matchup vs. Minnesota’s defense. Even still, Wright Jr. could see enough target volume to return value because he’s the clear top WR with Ford-Wheaton likely sitting this game out.
Greg DulcichUCLANCST510013.68730011.23
If you want a UCLA pass-catcher to pair with DTR, then it’s either Kyle Phillips or Dulcich. Both are great plays on this slate in a high-scoring game, but Dulcich is the better play for the savings because he really shouldn’t be this much cheaper than Phillips. The Bruins’ tight end was one of the best in the country at his position and should be motivated to have a big game with a possible NFL Draft stock increase.
Jaden WalleyMSSTTTU490012.42780010.63
While Polk is the headliner in Miss St’s receiving corps, Walley is also a solid play considering how much this offense will be throwing it in a favorable matchup. He has 15+ DK points in six of 12 games this season and usually provides a safe cash floor with his reception volume. For significantly cheaper, you can pair Walley with Rogers instead of Polk and still feel good about it.
Marshon FordULAF45009.5864007.38
The Louisville tight end should be a top target for Malik Cunningham in this bowl game with the Cardinals dealing with a ton of injuries/transfers in the receiving corps. Jordan Watkins and Justin Marshall are transferring and Braden Smith remains sidelined. So it’s basically Huggins-Bruce and Ford as the only consistent holdovers from the regular season with some young faces stepping into bigger roles. You can also look at Tyler Harrell or Josh Johnson as cheap plays.
Trey ClevelandTTUMSST30004.0448003.88
With Erik Ezukanma opting out and heading to the NFL, a ton of younger WRs will need to step up for Tech. Myles Price is a good value if we get official word he’s playing following an ankle injury. Two dirt cheap names to look at, though, are Trey Cleveland and Jerand Bradley as both have been mentioned by the interim coach as guys who’ll fill Ezukanma’s spot in the offense. It’s obviously a gamble as neither has done much of anything this season, but a few catches and 40 yards would return value.

Also Consider: 

  • Nathaniel Dell -- Houston ($8,700 FD Only)
  • Kyle Phillips -- UCLA ($6,800 DK / $8,400 FD)
  • Thayer Thomas -- NC State ($6,000 DK / $7,400 FD)
  • Ahmari Huggins-Bruce -- Louisville ($5,400 DK / $7,000 FD)
  • Chris Autman-Bell -- Minnesota ($4,600 DK / $6,700 FD)
  • Brandon Lewis -- Air Force ($4,200 DK / $5,600 FD)
  • Myles Price -- Texas Tech ($4,100 DK / $5,800 FD)
  • Tyler Harrell -- Louisville ($3,700 DK / $6,400 FD)


 

DraftKings Core Plays 

  • Devin Leary -- NC State ($7,800)
  • Jaden Walley -- Mississippi State ($4,900)
  • Tony Mathis Jr. -- West Virginia ($3,500)
     

FanDuel Core Plays 

  • Will Rogers -- Mississippi State ($11,200)
  • DeAndre Hughes -- Air Force ($5,100) if he’s playing
  • Greg Dulcich -- UCLA ($7,300)