Teams To Target (By Implied Point Totals):

  1. LSU -- 44.75 Points vs. Oklahoma (76 O/U)

  2. Penn State -- 33.75 Points vs. Memphis (60.5 O/U)

  3. Clemson -- 32.75 Points vs. Ohio State (63.5 O/U)

  4. Oklahoma -- 31.25 Points vs. LSU (76 O/U)

  5. Ohio State -- 30.75 Points vs. Clemson (63.5 O/U)

  6. Notre Dame -- 28.75 Points vs. Iowa State (54.5 O/U)

 

QUARTERBACKS

Joe Burrow - LSU ($8,800 DK / $10,500 FD)

Our DFS lineups today should begin and end with the decision at QB - whether to pay up for the Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts or both in the game with the slate’s largest over/under by far at 76 points. The case for rostering Burrow is an easy one. The Heisman winner has thrown for at least 320 yards and three touchdowns in each of the final five games of the season, averages 35.2 DK points per game in a high-scoring, pass-first LSU offense and has accounted for 51 total touchdowns in 13 games this year (48 passing, three rushing). In this CFP Semifinal matchup, we can definitely expect Burrow to be active as a passer against an Oklahoma defense that’s given up a ton of opposing points all year to Big 12 offenses. Plus, LSU may need to use the passing game more than usual because of the injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire that will at least keep him limited as rusher. 

Jalen Hurts - Oklahoma ($8,100 DK / $11,000 FD)

If you’re not paying up for Burrow, it’s not a bad pivot to go with Jalen Hurts instead. Interestingly, Hurts is $800 cheaper on DraftKings but is $500 more expensive on FanDuel than his counterpart in this CFP Semifinal matchup. Either way, Hurts will be heavily involved as a passer and runner in this game because it will take a career performance from him for Oklahoma to pull off the upset over LSU. The dual-threat QB is averaging a whopping 41 DK points per game this season and his DFS floor and ceiling are relatively high because of his combined volume with passing and running. In the Sooners’ spread offense this year, Hurts racked up 3,634 passing yards and 32 passing touchdowns while adding on 1,255 rushing yards and 18 scores on the ground. In 13 games, he AVERAGED enough stats to be both a QB1 and RB1 with per-game numbers of 280 passing yards, 97 rushing yards and 3.8 total touchdowns. The LSU defense has been forgiving for much of the season and Hurts and Oklahoma should still put up a decent amount of points and yardage - even if they’re 14-point dogs. 

Trevor Lawrence - Clemson ($7,200 DK / $9,500 FD)

Dabo Swinney has been saying all year that his football team gets disrespected - and the same can be said about the Clemson players’ DFS prices. Trevor Lawrence has the talent and fantasy value to be priced similarly to Joe Burrow on this slate - yet the Tigers’ QB is notably cheaper on both sites and presents some very attractive value. Lawrence started the year slow from a stats and DFS perspective because Clemson was blowing teams out and the starters didn’t need to be at his best. However, in the final weeks of the season - and in the ACC title game - the Clemson offense really stepped their game up with remarkable efficiency and big passing/rushing numbers. Lawrence, in particular, was very good to end the year as the threw for at least three touchdowns in each of the final eight games and put up a 20:0 TD:INT ratio in the final six games. Although the Ohio State defense presents the toughest matchup so far for Lawrence and Co., we shouldn’t be worried about his production in this must-win CFP semifinal. 

Also Consider: 

  • Ian Book - Notre Dame ($7,500 DK / $9,700 FD)

  • Brock Purdy - Iowa State ($7,400 DK / $9,000 FD)

 

RUNNING BACKS

LSU Running Backs

The biggest question mark on today’s slate centers around the LSU running backs. Lead back Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a hamstring injury in practice earlier this month and he’ll be a game-time decision for the CFP semifinal as he hasn’t practiced since. Head coach Ed Orgeron said there’s a chance Edwards-Helaire will indeed play despite not practicing this week and if he does, he’s a very solid DFS play as well. Edwards-Helaire ($7,100 DK / $9,100 FD) has been a main part of LSU’s offense over the final stretch of the season as both the lead rusher and a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield. In the final six games of the year, the junior averaged 24 touches and 178 total yards per game with four games of 100+ rushing yards and four games with seven or more receptions. He’s one of the most versatile backs in the whole country and if he’s active and healthy to play, we can bet on LSU using him a ton. However there is a chance Edwards-Helaire’s hamstring keeps him out of this one and if that’s the case, some other LSU back becomes a massive value on this slate. Tyrion Davis-Price ($3,300 DK / $5,900 FD) would likely fill in as the lead back since he’s been used as the No. 2 behind Edwards-Helaire for much of the season. John Emery Jr. ($3,600 DK / $4,900 FD) and Chris Curry ($3,200 DK / $4,300 FD) would also see an increase in touches as well. Definitely keep your eyes peeled for pre-game injury updates regarding LSU’s backfield. 

J.K. Dobbins - Ohio State ($7,700 DK / $9,900 FD)

Dobbins has been one of the best running backs in the country all season, but his workload has really increased in recent games because of the injury to Justin Fields. Ohio State’s dual-threat QB has been limited as a rusher as he deals with a knee injury and Dobbins has thus seen a huge volume of touches with the offense centering more on him. In the final three games of the season, Dobbins received 33 or more touches in each game while racking up 168 or more yards in all three weeks with seven touchdowns. Although the knee injury has yet to keep Fields out of a game so far - and he’s still starting this CFP Semifinal matchup - the OSU QB is clearly hampered by it and it’s affected his ability as a rusher from the pocket. The Buckeyes have been content to give Dobbins the increase in workload and we could see a similar game plan again vs. Clemson today. The Tigers’ rush defense is very good, but Dobbins could still return value because of his huge volume and propensity to score when Ohio State gets into the red zone. 

Kennedy Brooks - Oklahoma ($5,400 DK / $7,400 FD)

While Brooks saw 10 or fewer carries in each of the first nine weeks of the season, he’s being used a lot more in the Oklahoma offense lately and will be needed to handle a huge workload today if the Sooners want to upset LSU. Brooks saw 19 or more touches in each of the final four games of the year as the offense used his rushing prowess to balance out the attack and take pressure off Jalen Hurts to handle such a large running role. In these past four games, Brooks has seen an uptick in usage in large part because of Trey Sermon’s season-ending injury - and he should see an even bigger workload now that his backup, Rhamondre Stevenson, will be suspended for this game. The sophomore rushed for at least 130 yards in three of the last five weeks and was a big part of the Sooners’ offensive game plan in the final stretch to secure a Playoff spot. 

Also Consider:

  • Travis Etienne - Clemson ($7,000 DK / $8,900 FD)

  • Breece Hall - Iowa State ($6,400 DK / $8,100 FD)

  • Noah Cain - Penn State ($4,400 DK / $6,100 FD)

  • T.J. Pledger - Oklahoma ($3,000 DK / $4,500 FD)

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Ja’Marr Chase & Justin Jefferson - LSU

If you’re playing Joe Burrow in DFS lineups today, you’ll likely want to pair him with one of his two top receivers in Chase or Jefferson. Both have been consistent pass-catchers as Burrow’s top targets and choosing between the two may ultimately come down to which type of contest you’re playing. Chase ($7,300 DK / $9,600 FD) is the more expensive of the two, but that’s understandable because he has a much higher ceiling after being the best statistical WR in the SEC this season. The sophomore led the conference in receiving yards (1,498), receiving touchdowns (18) and yards per catch (20.5) and caught eight touchdowns over the final four games. Yet, Chase will sometimes give you a floor game - like he did in the SEC championship vs. Georgia when he had just 13.1 DK points on three catches. This makes him a high-upside, low-floor GPP play on this slate. Meanwhile, Jefferson ($6,000 DK / $8,600 FD) is the better cash game play because of his consistent DFS floor and lower price tag on both sites. The senior led the SEC in receptions this season with 88 and and he had at least six catches in eight of the final seven games. He’s more of a short-yardage, possession receiver than Chase and thus he’s safer for receptions and targets for Burrow, who consistently looks for him in the short-to-medium range. Plus, the touchdown upside is there for Jefferson as he’s now caught one in each of the last four games and had 14 in 13 games this season. Whether you go Chase or Jefferson, you can’t go wrong with either and it’ll come down to how much salary you have to fit one of them. 

Chase Claypool - Notre Dame ($6,200 DK / $8,700 FD)

The Notre Dame offense will likely go lower-owned and overlooked on this slate because the masses will be flocking to stack the four teams in the Playoff matchups - but the Fighting Irish has some guys that have quietly been DFS studs this year. Claypool is the top Irish receiver this season and he’s been the best red-zone target for QB Ian Book recently. The senior caught eight touchdowns over the final four games to give him an even dozen over 12 games. With a possible NFL career ahead, Claypool will look to end his collegiate career on a high note in this bowl game - and he’ll be a huge mismatch compared to Iowa State’s dime defense with a smaller secondary. Claypool will certainly go under-owned compared to the LSU and Clemson receivers - and he’s an interesting cash or GPP pivot if you have the salary. 

Tee Higgins - Clemson ($5,600 DK / $8,500 FD)

Like his quarterback, Tee Higgins is still being underpriced for how talented he is and how good he’s been for DFS lately. Clemson’s receiving corps is led by Higgins and Justyn Ross - two future NFL players who are both viable on today’s slate - but Higgins has the more consistent production and is the best value for his salary. In fact, he’s been having some monster games lately as the Tigers’ offense finished the season strong. The junior has scored eight touchdowns over the last three games with a pair of three-touchdown efforts - including nine catches, 182 yards and three scores in the ACC title game. In this CFP semifinal game, we can bank on QB Trevor Lawrence targeting Higgins plenty in the short and long range in a must-win scenario - just as he as in recent weeks with Clemson trying to prove their national worth for the rankings committee. 

Antonio Gibson - Memphis ($4,800 DK / $7,900 FD)

Similar to the other noon ET bowl matchup, this Memphis-Penn State game will go overlooked for DFS today because it won’t be as high-scoring or popular as the two Playoff semi’s. Still, there are players in this game worth rostering and Antonio Gibson looks like a big value for what his current role is in Memphis’ offense. The Tigers have been using Gibson not only as the No. 2 wideout, but also as a rusher to diversify the offense and give them another weapon. He’s seen three or more carries in five of the last six games and scored a rushing touchdown in three straight. Gordon’s rushing contribution became a central part of the Memphis offense in their final two games vs. Cincinnati when he had six carries for 75 yards and score in Week 14 and then a whopping 11 rushing attempts for 130 yards and a touchdown in the AAC title game. We should expect a slight decrease in rushing usage, but he’s still a bargain for the role he’s being used in lately. 

Also Consider: 

  • CeeDee Lamb - Oklahoma ($6,900 DK / $8,900 FD)

  • KJ Hamler - Penn State ($5,300 DK / $7,800 FD)

  • K.J. Hill - Ohio State ($5,100 DK / $7,200 FD)

  • Braden Lenzy - Notre Dame ($4,100 DK / $6,000 FD)

  • Kameron Wilson - Memphis ($3,000 DK / $4,500 FD)

 

DraftKings Example Lineup:

QB: Joe Burrow - LSU ($8,800)

RB: J.K. Dobbins - OSU ($7,700)

RB: Kennedy Brooks - OU ($5,400)

WR: Tee Higgins - CLEM ($5,600)

WR: Justin Jefferson - LSU ($6,000)

WR: Antonio Gibson - MEM ($4,800)

FLEX: Noah Cain - PSU ($4,400)

S-FLEX: Trevor Lawrence - CLEM ($7,200)

 

FanDuel Example Lineup:

QB: Jalen Hurts - OU ($11,000)

RB: Clyde Edwards-Helaire - LSU ($9,100)

RB: Travis Etienne - CLEM ($8,900)

WR: Braden Lenzy - ND ($6,000)

WR: Antonio Gibson - MEM ($7,900)

WR: K.J. Hill - OSU ($7,200)

S-FLEX: Ian Book - ND ($9,700)