College Football CFB DFS Playbook for Friday, December 29 Bowls: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Friday's college football bowl schedule gives us some intriguing matchups going on all day long as you build those CFB DFS lineups. Clemson vs Kentucky in the Gator Bowl gets us going at 12 pm ET. We also have Oregon State vs Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl, Memphis vs Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl, and then Missouri vs Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. You can build college football DFS lineups for these bowls on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Let's dive into the top CFB DFS picks and value plays for the Friday, December 29th CFB bowl slate. All odds are via DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of this publishing.
College Football Schedule for
Friday, December 29
CFB DFS Main Slate
- 12 pm ET – Clemson (-4.5) vs Kentucky – 45 O/U
- 2 pm ET – Oregon State vs Notre Dame (-6) – 41.5 O/U
- 3:30 pm ET – Memphis vs Iowa State (-10.5) – 57 O/U
- 8 pm ET – Missouri vs Ohio State (-4.5) – 49 O/U
College Football CFB DFS Picks for December 29 Bowls
Top CFB DFS Quarterbacks
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
| Seth Henigan | MEM | ISU | 8500 | 26.36 | 11000 | 24.53 |
| Seth Henigan has been a pretty consistent DFS QB the whole season for cash lineups and that should continue in this bowl. He has at least 21 DK in 11 of 12 games this year and 25+ DK in six of the past nine. Of course, Henigan was facing AAC defenses and now gets a tougher matchup vs Iowa State. Still, he should be perfectly fine in cash with his passing volume stats alone. | ||||||
| Cade Klubnik | CLEM | UK | 7300 | 17.97 | 8200 | 16.33 |
| Cade Klubnik had a very up-and-down season for DFS and in real life as Clemson’s offense went through its own highs and lows. His ceiling is about 25-30 DK points at his best, though his floor is in the single digits. It’s possible we get a good statistical game from him today against Kentucky’s 89th-ranked pass defense. Limit to GPP lineups. | ||||||
| Devin Brown | OSU | MIZZ | 6900 | 4.68 | 9000 | 4.48 |
| Devin Brown will start at QB for Ohio State with Kyle McCord transferring away. Brown played in a handful of games as McCord’s backup this year and looks to have the inside track at the Buckeyes’ starting job next season. Brown never got meaningful playing time in a game this year to get a good sense of what to expect in this bowl. We do know he’ll have Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson suiting up in the OSU offense, so that’s helpful. He’s a risky DFS play but still viable in GPPs. | ||||||
| Rocco Becht | ISU | MEM | 6800 | 17.47 | 11200 | 16.74 |
| In terms of matchups on this slate, Rocco Becht gets the best one. Memphis ranked 115th in the FBS in passing yards allowed per game this year as the defense struggled against both the run and pass. Becht isn’t a flashy DFS play, but he can certainly have success in this spot. The Iowa State QB ended the year strong with 21 DK in both of the final two games vs Texas and Kansas State. The cheap QBs aren’t great today, but Becht is a solid cash Super-Flex option. | ||||||
| Devin Leary | UK | CLEM | 6200 | 15.5 | 6800 | 14.85 |
| On paper, Clemson was a top-5 pass defense this season and we normally wouldn’t look to play opposing QBs in this matchup. However, the Tigers are also without multiple starting cornerbacks and a number of defensive starters. That’s definitely something to know here and it gives Leary a bit more GPP upside if he’s facing a watered down defense. Leary had a 25+ DK ceiling at his best this year, but also is risky for cash. | ||||||
Top CFB DFS Running Backs
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
| Cody Schrader | MIZZ | OSU | 7700 | 24.67 | 9600 | 21.31 |
| Cody Schrader was an absolute beast for Mizzou in the final stretch of the regular season. He averaged 196 total yards, 29 touches, and 33 DK over the last five games in a workhorse role. Schrader was a DFS stud even in some tougher matchups, so he can get his numbers despite facing Ohio State’s strong defense here. Schrader won’t be returning to college next year, so he should be very motivated to put on a performance. | ||||||
| Ray Davis | UK | CLEM | 7600 | 24.69 | 8800 | 22.73 |
| Ray Davis announced he’ll play in the bowl despite declaring for the NFL Draft. On the one hand, we have to wonder how much he’ll play with a pro future to get ready for. Yet, Davis was a stud for Kentucky this year and could also easily post 25-30 DFS points with a huge stat line. The expensive prices put him in GPP territory, but the upside is definitely there for the All-SEC talent. | ||||||
| TreVeyon Henderson | OSU | MIZZ | 7000 | 22.81 | 9400 | 20.42 |
| TreVeyon Henderson says he will play in this bowl despite his future being up in the air for next year. If he does play, we should see Henderson take on the lion’s share of carries for Ohio State with Miyan Williams opting out and Chip Trayanum transferring. The OSU offense could lean on him more with Devin Brown now at QB too. We know what Henderson is capable of when he does get 20+ touches and another 30+ DK effort could be coming. | ||||||
| Will Shipley | CLEM | UK | 6000 | 16.21 | 7500 | 14.48 |
| Despite some speculation that Will Shipley might leave Clemson for the NFL, he is expected to play in this bowl. The Tigers backfield should continue to be split with both Shipley and Phil Mafah seeing heavy combined touches. Shipley had over 1,000 scrimmage yards and 7 TDs in his 11 games this season. There’s a good chance he sees 20+ touches for 100+ total yards and a TD or two in what could be his final college game. It’s risky, though, because we also don’t know much he’ll definitely play – but there’s GPP upside. | ||||||
| Abu Sama III | ISU | MEM | 5700 | 11.31 | 8500 | 10.80 |
| Abu Sama should be Iowa State’s lead back for this bowl with Eli Sanders and Cartevious Norton in transfer portal. Samu exploded for 276 yards and 3 TDs on 16 carries in the regular season finale while in the lead back role. He averaged a ridiculous 8.5 ypc this year and should easily exceed value with a heavy volume of touches here. Samu also gets a favorable matchup against Memphis’ 99th-ranked rush defense. He’s a top cash RB on both sites. | ||||||
| Jeremiyah Love | ND | ORST | 4400 | 4.5 | 6500 | 3.55 |
| With Audric Estime opting out, Jeremiyah Love is one Notre Dame RB expected to take on the bulk of carries in this bowl. The freshman showed flashes this season when given the opportunities but was stuck behind Estime, who was in a workhorse role. Love averaged 6.2 ypc this year and is a top candidate to be Notre Dame’s lead RB next year, so this is a potential audition game for him as the main guy. Jadarian Price and Gi’Bran Payne will also likely mix in. Overall, the Irish offense could lean on the run more with Sam Hartman not playing. | ||||||
| Deshaun Fenwick | ORST | ND | 4000 | 9.13 | 7000 | 8.34 |
| Deshaun Fenwick is expected to be Oregon State’s lead back with Damien Martinez likely out following his recent DUI. Fenwick was a change-of-pace RB behind Martinez this year, though he still ran for 500 yards with 7 TDs. If we pencil him in for 15-20 touches in the lead back role, then Fenwick should easily return value. Plus, Oregon State’s offense could run it more often with third-string QB Ben Gulbranson starting. | ||||||
Top CFB DFS Wide Receivers
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
| Luther Burden III | MIZZ | OSU | 7900 | 22.57 | 9800 | 17.50 |
| After an elite first half of the season, Luther Burden slowed down in the final stretch with only one 100+ yard game in the last six contests. Even so, he’s the clear top wideout in Mizzou’s offense and should see plenty of targets in this bowl matchup vs Ohio State. Since he’s so expensive on both sites, limit exposure to GPP lineups because the Buckeyes likely will gameplan to shut him down. Still, the ceiling to break the slate is there if he takes over. | ||||||
| Jaylin Noel | ISU | MEM | 6400 | 16.15 | 9500 | 13.91 |
| The Memphis pass defense has been one to target against for DFS all season and we get to do it again here with Iowa State’s WR corps. Jaylin Noel is the headliner as his 60 receptions led the team and his 741 yards barely trailed Jayden Higgins’ 769. On that note, Higgins is also a fine play in cash or GPP. Noel, though, brings more upside and a slightly safer floor as Rocco Becht’s No. 1 target. | ||||||
| Roc Taylor | MEM | ISU | 6300 | 16.52 | 8300 | 12.73 |
| Roc Taylor and Demeer Blankumsee are the headliners in Memphis’ receiving corps and both are firmly in play. Taylor had 981 yards, 61 catches, and 4 TDs this year while Blankumsee had 825 yards, 51 catches, and 6 TDs. Both usually have a strong cash floor with how much Memphis throws it, but either one can go off to smash in GPPs. Both guys are solid cash or GPP plays on this slate. | ||||||
| Silas Bolden | ORST | ND | 6100 | 15.1 | 8000 | 12.64 |
| Oregon State is without multiple top offensive skill players for this bowl and it leaves Silas Bolden as one of the only proven guys remaining. He should be locked into targets as the top weapon for the Beavers and likely a favorite receiver for third-string QB Ben Gulbranson. The two played together last year, so there is some familiarity there. Bolden should provide a solid cash floor with likely heavy involvement. | ||||||
| Emeka Egbuka | OSU | MIZZ | 6000 | 11.86 | 7100 | 9.91 |
| Emeka Egbuka is expected to play in this bowl despite potentially entering the NFL Draft. That’s pretty notable because we likely won’t see Marvin Harrison Jr. play. So Egbuka moves up to the WR1 role in this Ohio State offense and he could see a ton of targets as the top weapon for Devin Brown. After being second fiddle to Harrison all season, Egbuka can easily be a top scoring WR on the slate if Brown is looking his way often and in the red zone. His cheaper prices are very attractive in cash or GPP. | ||||||
| Dane Key | UK | CLEM | 5200 | 12.53 | 6500 | 10.23 |
| As mentioned above, the Clemson pass defense was elite this season but the Tigers are also down multiple cornerbacks for this bowl. Normally, we’d fade opposing WRs in this matchup – but the CB absences could actually be a positive for Kentucky’s receivers. Dane Key, Barion Brown, and Tayvion Robinson are all intriguing and worth a look in GPP. Key has a slightly higher ceiling if deciding between them. | ||||||
| Cade Stover | OSU | MIZZ | 5000 | 12.86 | 7500 | 12.01 |
| Keep an eye out for news regarding Cade Stover’s status for this bowl. It’s unclear on whether the Buckeyes’ tight end will play or not as he potentially heads off to the NFL. If he does play, then Stover could be a safety valve and top target for Devin Brown. He’s already been a great DFS play as one of OSU’s best pass-catchers, but the QB change has to be considered. On the surface, Stover is a solid cash value. Just check that he is definitely playing. | ||||||
| Jordan Faison | ND | ORST | 4000 | 9.15 | 5400 | 7.98 |
| First off, Notre Dame is down multiple WRs for this bowl due to opt-outs, transfers, or injury. So, we likely have Jaden Greathouse, Jayden Thomas, and Jordan Faison stepping into bigger starting roles in the ND offense. Thomas is intriguing because he’s expected to be healthy to play after dealing with injuries late in the season. Faison, though, is a speedy wideout who could break off a long TD or two. He came on late in the year with a TD and double-digit DK points in both of the final two regular season games. Faison is expected to be a bigger part of the gameplan and might even be a favorite target for backup QB Steve Angeli. | ||||||
| Carnell Tate | OSU | MIZZ | 3500 | 4.9 | 4900 | 4.05 |
| With Marvin Harrison Jr. unlikely to play, Carnell Tate should move into a starting WR role for this bowl game. Ohio State also has to replace Julian Felming (transfer) in the WR corps too. Tate only had 17 catches this year in a backup role, but the freshman has a ton of talent. Plus, he may already have a rapport with Devin Brown and the two could connect often and/or for a TD or two. He’s worth a look in cash or GPP. Brandon Inniss and Xavier Johnson are two other cheap Ohio St receivers to consider too. | ||||||
CFB DFS Core Plays
DraftKings Cash
- Abu Sama – Iowa State
- Emeka Ebguka – Ohio State
- Seth Henigan – Memphis
DraftKings GPP
- Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame
- Ray Davis – Kentucky
- Carnell Tate – Ohio State
FanDuel Cash
- Emeka Egbuka – Ohio State
- Abu Sama – Iowa State
- Seth Henigan – Memphis
FanDuel GPP
- TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State
- Luther Burden – Missouri
- Jordan Faison – Notre Dame
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