Duke @ Virginia Tech (-3) - 52

San Jose State @ Air Force (-19) - 56 ½ 

Penn State (-6 ½) @ Maryland - 60

Arizona State @ Cal (-4 ½) - 40
 

Quarterback

Sean Clifford - Penn State - FD $10,000 DK $7,900

Vegas is expecting this bout between Maryland and Penn State to be the highest scoring on the slate, and Penn State is favored by seven. They’ve come out as a pass-first offense this season and haven’t disappointed. They certainly struggled against Pittsburgh, but so did a potent UCF offense a week later. This Maryland defense is a clear step down in competition and we should see Clifford get back to the end zone and over 250 yards this week. There are no high-powered offenses on this slate, so we’re looking for a few guys that get over 200 yards and score a touchdown or two. Clifford has plenty of weapons on the outside to utilize that you can pair him with in both cash games and tournaments. There isn’t too much to pay up for on this slate and Clifford is easily the safest option on the board. 

Ryan Willis - Virginia Tech - FD $9,500 DK $7,400

Willis hasn’t been great this season, but he did throw for 344 yards and four touchdowns in the one game that VT was challenged. Virginia Tech is at home as three point favorites against a Duke defense that isn’t great. Don’t expect the ball to be moved up and down the field all game long, as we’re only looking at a 52 total. However, when it’s all said and done, Willis should end up around 250 yards and it will just come down to how many touchdowns he can throw for. He has some upside on the ground as well and that’s invaluable on a slate like this.  Willis isn’t as safe as Clifford, but he has a similar ceiling. 

Donald Hammond III - Air Force - FD $9,000 DK $6,900

Air Force is the biggest favorite on this slate and Vegas expects them to put up close to 40 points. Hammond doesn’t throw the ball much, but he’s been efficient when he does. That’s just icing on the cake. His real value is on the ground, where he’s the third running back and primary goal line threat. He’s run for five scores in just three games and it’s hard to see Air Force putting up 40+ and Hammond not getting in on the action. He’s a bit cheaper than the rest of the field and he has as much upside as anyone. With that being said, I have a ton of exposure to these Air Force running backs, so most of my QB ownership is on Clifford and Willis. 

Running Back

Taven Birdow & Kadin Remsberg - Air Force - FD $6,600 - $8,700 DK $4,500 - $6,400

With Air Force favored by 19 and their implied total sitting close to 40, both of these guys are phenomenal options. Remsberg should be seeing more carries, and it very well may go that way this week. He’s the top back on the team and I can see him pounding it in for two scores here with ease. Birdow is the fullback and he’s seen more carries than expected. He’s still cheap on both sites and I don’t see any reason to avoid him. This Air Force offense is extremely predictable as we know exactly who it’s going through. I don’t even think it’s crazy to play both of these guys in the same lineup. 

Journey Brown - Penn State - FD $5,200 DK $5,200

Journey Brown has taken over the Penn State backfield and looks to be the next superstar Nittany Lion back. He ran for 109 yards on just 10 carries last week against a good Pitt defense, and it will only get easier this week. Maryland is decent on defense, but they really haven’t been tested yet. This Penn State offensive line will do just that and Brown will have a big night if Penn State can get the lead early. Cain, Slade, and Ford will compliment him, but I think Penn State focuses on feeding Brown if the game is tight. He’s extremely affordable on both sites and makes for a great play in cash games. The issue I’m running into is running Clifford and Brown in the same lineup. I’ve come to the conclusion that you can play both, as this game has the highest total on the board and you should get 100% of touchdowns with those two guys. 

Eno Benjamin - Arizona State - FD $9,100 DK $7,600

If you like a lot of value, you have to spend your money somewhere on this slate.Eno Benjamin has a tough match-up with Cal, but he already had some success against an even tougher defense in Michigan State. If Arizona State is going to do anything on offense, it will be started through Benjamin. He likely won’t have a ton of yards on the ground, but if he can just get to 60-70 and find the end zone he should do enough through the air to exceed value. With Cal throwing one of the best defensive backfields out there, Daniels should be checking down a ton and Benjamin is an excellent pass-catcher. This is certainly a tournament play as this game will be slow and Benjamin could have a letdown.  

Wide Receiver

K.J Hamler - Penn State - FD $8,600 DK $6,100

Hamler is one of the more electric weapons in college football. His numbers haven’t been crazy, but take a look at high highlights when he was catching passes from Trace McSorley. When used correctly, Hamler is seeing double digit targets and being peppered in the red zone. Clifford hasn’t forced the ball to Hamler too much in the first three weeks, but I think that changes here against Maryland. If you’re playing Clifford in your cash games, Hamler is the guy to pair him with. His price is fair on both sites and you won’t find a lineup of mine without K.J. Hamler. Freiermuth is the other guy you can target if Maryland tries to phase out Hamler.

Tayvion Robinson - Virginia Tech - FD $7,700 DK $5,200

It remains to be seen whether Damon Hazelton will return this week, and he will take some of my love away from Robinson if he does play. Tayvion Robinson has been the Hokies’ leading receiver through the first three games, catching 14 balls for 165 yards and a score. Willis should be back to 250+ yards and Robinson will be targeted at least five to six times. The Duke secondary isn’t terrible, but they don’t have any standout corners that we need to worry about. If you like Ryan Willis, Robinson is far too cheap and a great play in both cash games and tournaments. 

Aaron Young - Duke - FD $8,300 DK $6,500

The six-foot-four Aaron Young has been a comfortable luxury for Quentin Harris, who threw him two touchdowns and targeted him five times in the red zone last week. It seems like Harris has found where the ball should have been going all along. I think Jalon Calhoun is interesting as well, but Jake Bobo is listed as his backup and he may return this week. Anyways, Aaron Young has pro talent and Quentin Harris is throwing the ball a ton. As three point underdogs, it’s fair to expect Duke to be playing from behind and have to throw to catch up. The price isn’t high enough on Young on either site and he’s a great play across the board. 

Tre Walker - San Jose State - FD $9,200 DK $5,900

This is one of the more intriguing situations on this slate. Tre Walker returned last week and caught 12 balls for 161 yards against Arkansas. This Air Force defense is a lot tougher than that of Arkansas, but Love is going to rely on Walker a ton and we know how talented of a wide receiver he is. If you don’t, just check out his highlights against Utah State last year. If San Jose State fallas behind like we expect, we may get a huge volume day out of Walker. It’s definitely more of a tournament play, but I may have some exposure in cash games as well as I really think Walker has a great shot of catching 10 balls for a consecutive week. 

Justin Shorter - Penn State - FD $6,500 DK $3,800

This is a bit of a dart throw. Justin Shorter has started all three games, but he hasn’t made all that much noise up to this point. He has all the tools to be a superstar, and the offense is just waiting for him to come around. He’s a six-foot-four former four-star recruit that is a deadly weapon in the red zone and could easily score two touchdowns in any given game. He’s extremely cheap on both sites and could be the tournament play you need that is under 5% owned. 

Example Lineups

FanDuel

Cash

GPP

DraftKings

Cash 

GPP