Big Ten action is just a few weeks away, so it’s a good time to take a look at the DFS slate and see if there’s any value currently on the board.

PrizePicks has released yardage projections for numerous Big Ten quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. This story will look at each category individually, but you can mix and match your selections in PrizePicks contests.

Here’s a breakdown of all the passing, rushing and receiving yardage projections currently on PrizePicks:

Big Ten passing yardage DFS projections

Here are PrizePicks’ passing yardage projections for 4 Big Ten quarterbacks:

  • Dillon Gabriel, Oregon: 3,399.5 passing yards
  • Tyler Van Dyke, Wisconsin: 2,400.5 passing yards
  • Hudson Card, Purdue: 2,274.5 passing yards
  • Drew Allar, Penn State: 2,424.5 passing yards

Other Big Ten quarterbacks such as Ohio State’s Will Howard and Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola were not available for selection on PrizePicks as of this writing. Given the players who are listed, Gabriel makes sense as the clear favorite to lead the Big Ten in passing — he threw for 3,660 yards at Oklahoma in 2023 and figures to have an even stronger supporting cast in Eugene.

Pick: Drew Allar more than 2,424.5 passing yards

Last season in his first campaign as a starter, Allar threw for 2,336 yards during the regular season — just a little lower than this number here from PrizePicks. Public perception has been that Allar had a disappointing 2023 campaign, and in some ways that’s true. He struggled mightily in Penn State’s 2 biggest games (at Ohio State and vs. Michigan).

But a few things have changed in Penn State’s favor. For one, Allar is a year older and has more experience. Second, Penn State doesn’t have to face Michigan this season (or Oregon or Iowa, for that matter). Lastly, and arguably most importantly, Penn State hired one of the best most underrated offensive coordinators in the country in Andy Kotelnicki. While working at Kansas last season, Kotelnicki guided the Jayhawks to a top-20 offense (per SP+ ratings) despite playing with a backup quarterback for most of the season.

Allar’s pedigree, Penn State’s schedule and the upgrade at offensive coordinator indicate that Allar should be in for a breakout season.

RELATED: SEC passing yardage DFS picks

Big Ten rushing yardage DFS projections

Here are PrizePicks’ rushing yardage projections for 7 Big Ten running backs:

  • Kyle Monangai, Rutgers: 1,025.5 rushing yards
  • Darius Taylor, Minnesota: 1,025.5 rushing yards
  • Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State: 849.5 rushing yards
  • TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State: 724.5 rushing yards
  • Roman Hemby, Maryland: 700.5 rushing yards
  • Nicholas Singleton, Penn State: 774.5 rushing yards
  • Kaytron Allen, Penn State: 699.5 rushing yards

Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai and Minnesota’s Darius Taylor share the top spot. While neither player is necessarily a household name nationally, both Managai and Taylor had big seasons a year ago. Manangai went for over 1,000 yards during the regular season and Taylor hit 799 in just 6 games as a true freshman.

Ohio State and Penn State each have dynamic running back duos who have strong track records of success in the Big Ten.

Pick: Darius Taylor more than 1,025.5 rushing yards

With a full season’s workload, Taylor should fly past this number. Taylor averaged 5.8 yards per attempt last season, which would have ranked 3rd amongst Big Ten running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts.

He was very adept at picking up yards after contact last season, which should suit him well against physical Big Ten defenses. Even in a short sample, Taylor proved himself as one of the most talented young running backs in the nation last season.

Minnesota also has a history of producing 1,000-yard rushers under PJ Fleck. Mohamed Ibrahim cleared that threshold in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Rodney Smith got there in 2019 with room to spare as well. This is an offense that’s not afraid to rely on a featured back if the talent is there, and it certainly is with Taylor. As long as he stays healthy, he should have no issues clearing this projection.

Big Ten receiving yardage DFS projections

Here are PrizePicks’ receiving yardage projections for 5 Big Ten pass-catchers:

  • Tez Johnson, Oregon: 924.5 receiving yards
  • Evan Stewart, Oregon: 799.5 receiving yards
  • Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State: 749.5 receiving yards
  • Zachariah Branch, USC: 649.5 receiving yards
  • Tyler Warren, Penn State: 440.5 receiving yards

Tez Johnson leads this group after going for 942 receiving yards during the regular season a year ago. Teammate Evan Stewart, a former 5-star recruit, is also high up on the list after transferring from Texas A&M this past offseason.

Emeka Egbuka and Zachariah Branch are a couple more former blue-chip prospects who are hoping to have big seasons for their teams in 2024. Tyler Warren is a veteran tight end who was a reliable target for Drew Allar last season.

Pick: Tez Johnson less than 924.5 receiving yards

Tez Johnson had a remarkable 2023 campaign. He led all Power-5 receivers in yards after the catch with 724, per PFF. Johnson was so efficient with his touches that I’m not sure he can replicate that performance in 2024 with Bo Nix no longer in Eugene.

Dillon Gabriel is an excellent college quarterback who very well could lead Oregon to the College Football Playoff, but he’s not likely to complete over 77% of his passes like Nix did last season. That’s not the type of passer Gabriel is. The former Oklahoma gunslinger has a great deep ball but he isn’t as proficient as Nix was in the short-and-intermediate areas of the field. That’s a big reason why I’m skeptical of Johnson getting above this number.

Another reason is the arrival of Stewart, who is going to provide strong competition for targets in the Oregon wide receiver room. Traeshon Holden is also back for his senior season after catching 37 passes a year ago.

RELATED: SEC receiving yardage DFS picks

How does PrizePicks work?

With PrizePicks, you can combined 2 or more selections and earn money based on how your picks perform.

PrizePicks allows users to group selections into 1 of 2 categories: Flex Play or Power Play. In a Flex Play, you can still win money even if you don’t hit on all your picks. On Power Play, all picks have to be correct in order to cash — but the rewards are greater.

For example: if you selected the 3 picks mentioned above as a Power Play, you would earn 5x your money if they all are deemed winners at the end of the season. If you added a 4th pick to your Power Play, you would potentially earn a return of 10x on your money.

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