Rose Bowl 2022: Odds, Daily Fantasy Tips for Utah vs. Ohio State

It's already been a season of firsts for Utah. After winning the first Pac-12 championship in program history, the Utes were invited to the Rose Bowl for the first time. On Saturday, they will look to do something else they have never done before.

Utah is going to try to earn its first win over Ohio State, which will be making its 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl after falling short of reaching the College Football Playoff this season. The Buckeyes beat the Utes in the only previous meeting between the programs on Sept. 27, 1986.

It should be an exciting matchup. Even though Ohio State will be missing some key players who chose to opt out, it still has a strong roster. But Utah will be looking to capitalize on the absences to end its season with a big victory.

Here's a look at the key info for the Rose Bowl, along with several players you should consider starting in your daily fantasy lineup Saturday.

Rose Bowl Info

Date: Saturday, Jan. 1

Start Time: 5 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN app

Game Odds

Spread: Ohio State -4

Over/Under: 64 total points

Moneyline: Ohio State -170 (bet $170 to win $100); Utah +150 (bet $100 to win $150)

Via DraftKings Sportsbook.

When you have an opportunity to start a Heisman Trophy finalist in your DFS lineup, you do so and then figure out how to fit the rest of the pieces around him. Ohio State redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud will be the best player on the field Saturday, and he should have another big game.

Stroud has passed for more than 300 yards in five straight games and in seven of his past eight contests. Over the Buckeyes' final three games of the regular season, he had 13 touchdowns and no interceptions, capping an impressive year for him and the offense.

Not many teams have been able to slow Stroud this season, and Utah likely won't, either. Even though Ohio State will be missing some key offensive players, the quarterback has the skills and abilities to excel without them, which he will show Saturday.

Stroud should be one of the top New Year's Six DFS performers, making it a necessity to put him in lineups.

There's a good chance that Utah's Tavion Thomas is going to score a touchdown in the Rose Bowl. The sophomore running back has gotten into the end zone in each of his past eight games, and he's shown no signs of slowing down.

Thomas had an impressive first season with the Utes, as he's rushed for 1,041 yards and 20 touchdowns, 18 of which have come during his eight-game TD streak. He rushed for more than 100 yards in three of his past five games, and he ran for 63 yards and two touchdowns in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

The Rose Bowl has the potential to be a high-scoring game, with Ohio State and Utah trading scores back and forth. If that's what happens, then Thomas should put up some impressive numbers again.

As one of the best running backs in action Saturday, Thomas should be among the safer DFS plays.

Ohio State is going to need some of its young, inexperienced wide receivers to step up in the Rose Bowl. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave both opted out of the game, leaving Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the only starter in the Buckeyes receiving corps.

It's possible that Utah is going to try to nullify Smith-Njigba, who was Ohio State's leading receiver this season. The Utes rank 24th in the country in pass defense, and they will likely put one of their top cornerbacks on the Buckeyes' clear top option.

That makes Julian Fleming an intriguing sleeper DFS play, as the Ohio State sophomore receiver should get more opportunities than he did throughout most of the regular season, when he had only seven catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. But he was blocked on the depth chart.

If you want to take a chance on a low-price player with breakout potential, put Fleming in your DFS lineup.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.