Welcome back college football fans! We’re back for another weekend of CFB DFS with Saturday’s 12-game DraftKings main slate kicking off at 12 pm ET. Note that this playbook focuses on the early main slate of DK, but FanDuel has a few different slates that include just the early games, just the afternoon ones and an all-day slate with night games. We’ll have a night playbook out too that covers the DK 6-game night slate. The plays included here also apply to the FD slates, but just keep in mind this playbook focuses on DK strategy. 

Hit me up in the CFB FA chat and I’ll answer any lineup questions for either site! Good luck! 

THE SLATE (betting odds via DK Sportsbook as of 10/9): 

  • 12 pm ET -- Florida (-6.5) @ Texas A&M -- 58.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Texas @ Oklahoma (-2) -- 72.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Virginia Tech @ North Carolina (-4) -- 59 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- South Carolina (-13.5) @ Vanderbilt -- 41.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- NC State @ Virginia (-8) -- 59.5 o/u

  • 12:30 pm ET -- Duke @ Syracuse (-1) -- 52 o/u

  • 3:30 pm ET -- Tennessee @ Georgia (-12.5) -- 42.5 o/u

  • 3:30 pm ET -- Texas Tech @ Iowa State (-12.5) -- 64.5 o/u

  • 3:30 pm ET -- UTSA @ BYU (-35) -- 63 o/u

  • 4 pm ET -- Arkansas @ Auburn (-13.5) -- 46.5 o/u

  • 4 pm ET -- Pittsburgh (-6) @ Boston College -- 44 o/u

  • 4 pm ET -- Kansas State @ TCU (-8.5) -- 50.5 o/u

Highest Team Totals (per DK Sportsbook Odds)

  1. BYU -- 49 points vs. UTSA

  2. Iowa State -- 38.5 points vs. Texas Tech

  3. Oklahoma -- 37.25 points vs. Texas

  4. Texas -- 35.25 points @ Oklahoma

  5. Virginia -- 33.75 points vs. NC State

  6. Florida -- 32.5 points @ Texas A&M

  7. North Carolina -- 31.5 points vs. Virginia Tech

  8. Auburn -- 30 points vs. Arkansas

Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Zach WilsonBYUUTSA950033.69  
BYU has been blowing out opponents every game this season and its dominant offense led by Wilson is a big reason why. Vegas is expecting more of the same this week with BYU projected to be the slate’s highest-scoring team as big favorites over UTSA. It’s crazy to see Wilson be the most expensive QB this week - but he’s proven it over the last two games when he put up 38 and 46 DK points, respectively. In those last two outings, he accounted for nine total TDs with four through the air and five on the ground. That rushing TD upside makes him extremely valuable for DFS as he’s been BYU’s go-to runner in the red-zone and on the goal-line - in addition to his 300+ passing yards in both games as well. It may seem insane to pay this much for him in cash, but history is telling us that Wilson and this Cougars offense will continue to roll until they face tougher competition. UTSA is definitely not tougher competition as the defense has allowed 300 passing yards per game through four games. He may go lower-owned in cash with Sam Ehlinger and Spencer Rattler right below him in price point, but he has the highest upside for GPP’s on this slate and could be more popular in tournaments than cash actually.
Sam EhlingerUTOU920038.32  
We should be strongly considering any offensive piece from Texas and Oklahoma as this Red River Rivalry owns the highest projected point total of the slate without much defense expected from either side. Ehlinger, in particular, will face a porous OU defense that’s allowed 38 and 37 points in back-to-back games with big DFS performances from opposing QBs. It’s a perfect situation for the Texas QB, who’s been a stud thus far himself. Ehlinger has thrown 14 TDs through the first three games and has put up 40+ DK points in two of those. Plus, he’ll provide some rushing upside as he’s ran for 118 yards and a score over the last two conference games combined. We can bank on Ehlinger doing everything for Texas on offense this week in a must-win game if the team wishes to stay in Playoff contention down the line. He’s a great cash game QB and might even be more owned than BYU QB Zach Wilson.
Brock PurdyISUTTU740013.1  
Iowa State’s signal-caller has mostly underperformed this season from a statistical standpoint, but Purdy has the best matchup of any QB on this slate and could easily smash value. Texas Tech’s pass defense was terrible last year and they’re still among the worst in the country - allowing 346 passing yards per game over the first three weeks. That’s fourth-worst in the nation so far and their 11 passing TDs allowed is tied for the most. Again, Purdy hasn’t been great this year but the talent is there and he’s coming off an upset win over Oklahoma (maybe something to kickstart him?) Purdy threw for 378 yards and three TDs against Texas Tech a year ago so we know he can take advantage of this matchup - it’s just a matter of if he can. This is the typical bounce-back week for him and he could put up 30+ DK points.
Brennan ArmstrongUVNCST680028.58  
Armstrong is no Bryce Perkins, but he’s playing the part pretty nicely this season for Virginia. Perkins was UVA’s dual-threat QB who was a great Super-Flex option all last year for us because of his rushing and passing combo at the helm of a good offense. Armstrong has picked up right where Perkins left off as a dual-threat in his own right. Over two games, he’s racked up 136 rushing yards and a TD on 32 carries with 89 of those yards coming last week against Clemson’s tough defense. Plus, he’s still throwing it a decent amount with five passing TDs thus far and 40+ pass attempts in both outings. Even in a hard matchup vs. Clemson last game, Armstrong still finished with 29.7 DK points - a great sign for how good he can be in favorable scenarios. That’s the case this week vs. an NC State defense that’s allowed 38.7 points and 461 total yards per game through three games. He’s a great cash game QB for your Super-Flex.
Frank HarrisUTSABYU510026.84  
Harris is really interesting on this slate because of his extremely cheap price tag - but the potential high payoff comes with some risk. We’ll start with the bad. Harris and UTSA will face a stalwart BYU defense that’s allowing only eight points per game and has been flat-out dominant in all three games thus far. Plus, Harris will be game-time decision for this 3:30 pm ET kickoff after he missed last week with a knee injury - with the later game time making it tough to fully trust him. If he does play, though, he could provide a ton of upside because of his dual-threat ability at this affordable salary. Over the first two games this season, Harris totaled 155 rushing yards and five rushing TDs to help him put up 34 and 39 DK points respectively. That rushing upside is DFS gold when it comes to cheaper QBs in your Super-Flex spot. Yet, the two big questions remain - will he definitely play and how well can he perform against this BYU defense?

Also Consider: 

  • Spencer Rattler - Oklahoma ($8,900) - Cash/GPP

  • Kyle Trask - Florida ($8,500) - GPP

  • Max Duggan - TCU ($7,300) - Cash/GPP

  • Sam Howell - North Carolina ($7,000) - Fringe Cash

  • Bo Nix - Auburn ($6,500) - GPP

Running Backs

Running Backs
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Breece HallISUTTU860030.47  
Without any other high-priced RBs with consistent volume on this slate, Breece Hall is in a tier of his own at the top and should be a cash game staple. Iowa State’s bellcow back has picked up right where he left off last year with his high volume of touches in this offense allowing him to be one of the best DFS RBs so far. He’s had at least 18 carries and 100+ rushing yards in all three games so far - including his 139 yards and two scores on 28 rushes last week in an upset win over Oklahoma. Hall is benefiting not only from his workhorse volume, but also from facing soft Big 12 defenses - a trend that will continue this week vs. a Texas Tech defense that’s giving up 146 rush yards per game. Also with ISU favored by nearly two touchdowns in this game, we could see Hall get more carries and rack up the production in the second half if the game script flows in his direction. Lock him into cash lineups.
Zamir WhiteUGATENN720019.4  
Georgia’s backfield was supposed to be a time-share coming into this season, but Zamir White has emerged as UGA’s lead back and he should see a healthy amount of touches this week. Fellow back James Cook will be a game-time decision with an arm injury, and that should result in more carries for White. Last week vs. Auburn, White saw 20 touches for 98 total yards and two TDs with Cook leaving the game early. This Bulldogs offense is still working with a relatively new QB in Stetson Bennett and we can bank on White and the running game to be utilized a good amount in a tight SEC matchup vs. Tennessee. Also, the Vols rush defense has been decent this season but it has allowed three rushing scores through two games. White is a GPP-only play on this slate, but he could easily see 100+ total yards and multiple TDs as UGA’s lead back without much competition behind him.
Kevin HarrisSCARVAND670022.55  
Entering this season, South Carolina’s backfield was presumed to be a committee situation after MarShawn Lloyd went down for the year with a torn ACL. Harris, though, has emerged as a bellcow back in this offense after his 127 total yards and two TDs on 26 touches last week vs. Florida. Fellow RB Deshawn Fenwick still saw 11 touches as a complement to Harris, but the former is more of a pass-catcher in the offense while Harris should see the bulk of carries moving forward. Plus, it’s Harris who’s scored all three TDs from the Gamecock backfield through two games while Fenwick has yet to find the end zone. SC will likely lean on Harris and the running game again as two-touchdown favorites over Vandy this week - especially with grad transfer QB Collin Hill being more of a game-manager in the offense. He’s a great cash game RB with his newfound volume and he should be plenty productive against a Vanderbilt rush defense that’s allowed 172 rush yards per game with two different opposing RBs seeing 100-yard efforts against them through two games.
Wayne TaulapapaUVNCST620016.75  
If you’re not going Kevin Harris as your RB2 in cash, then Virginia’s lead back is the next best option. Taualapapa was impressive in UVA’s first game with his 24 DK points, 95 rushing yards and two scores on 16 carries in a win over Duke. Against Clemson last week, it was unsurprisingly a bit tougher as he had only 47 rush yards on 13 carries with Virginia playing catch-up for most of the contest. We should see a performance more like the Duke outing for Taulapapa this time around as he’ll face a weak NC State defense. The Wolfpack rush D is allowing 185 rushing yards per game and have given up nine rushing TDs through three games. Plus, UVA is two-score favorites in this game with 60+ projected points. It’s a great matchup and game flow for Taulapapa to have 20-25 DK points yet again and be a safe cash game play.
Jeremiah HallOUUT410011.67  
There aren’t many cheap RBs worth rostering on this slate, but DraftKings has given us a gift with the Oklahoma offense. Both Jeremiah Hall and Austin Stogner ($4500) are H-backs on Oklahoma’s depth chart and DK took that literally by putting them in the RB player pool this weekend. They are both really affordable to use in the FLEX spot of cash or GPP lineups because of their pass-catching ability in a high-scoring matchup with Texas. Both Hall and Stogner have seen an increase in receptions and involvement in the passing game with Brayden Willis out. Hall plays more of a fullback role for the Sooners, but he’s used as a pass-catcher out of the backfield/slot and he has three TD receptions over the last two games - including two last week. QB Spencer Rattler is clearly looking for him in the red zone and that could easily continue this week with OU caught up in a back-and-forth offensive game. Stogner, meanwhile, is more of a tight end in this offense and he’s now notched five receptions and 70+ receiving yards in both of the last two games as he has a legit pass-catching role in this offense.
Zach EvansTCUKSU32001.9  
Welcome to the biggest high-upside dart throw of the slate. Evans is a true freshman who was a five-star RB recruit for TCU and it’s clear the offense wants to start getting him involved more moving forward. Evans got a late start in training camp and this season because he was away from the team for about a month due to COVID contact tracing. He was finally active last week and saw just two touches in his first collegiate action. However, coach Gary Patterson has said Evans will see more carries in the coming weeks and that could happen as soon as this weekend. Fellow TCU back Emari Demercado is questionable to play with an injury and no other RB has been very productive this season yet. Evans is the most talented back on the team and it’s only a matter of time until he sees a featured role as the starter. The matchup is definitely a good one as the Kansas State rush defense wasn’t great last year and isn’t much better this season. At this near-min-price salary, he’s worth a look in GPP’s with the potential to smash value if he sees double-digit touches. The breakout game is on the way and it could happen this week.

Also Consider: 

  • Deuce Vaughn - Kansas State ($7,500) - GPP

  • Javonte Williams - North Carolina ($7,000) - GPP

  • Kadarius Toney - Florida ($6,900) - Cash/GPP

  • Tyler Allgeier - BYU ($6,600) - Fringe Cash/GPP

  • Michael Carter - North Carolina ($6,300) - Cash/GPP

  • Tank Bigsby - Auburn ($5,600) - Fringe Cash/GPP

  • Vincent Davis - Pittsburgh ($4,800) - Cash

Wide Receivers

Wide Recievers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Gunner RomneyBYUUTSA820024.8  
DraftKings has really priced up all the main playmakers from this BYU offense and their top wideout comes in as the slate’s most expensive WR. However, the upside is definitely there for Romney as the top pass-catcher for the Cougars who’s been a stud in the early stages of the season with BYU blowing out every team in its way. Romney has put up 100+ receiving yards and 21+ DK points in all three games thus far, and he’ll likely repeat those numbers once again against a below-average UTSA pass defense. BYU loves to run the ball, but Romney has emerged as QB Zach Wilson’s favorite target when they do throw it. Dax Milne ($6800) is a close second behind Romney and is actually the better cash game play for the savings. But Romney is the better GPP option in the BYU receiving corps and could be a tournament-winner with people likely paying down at the position. With so much value at WR on this slate, it’s tough to pay his price tag in cash games (more on that later).
Shi SmithSCARVAND760029.55  
The price tag is a hefty one, but Shi Smith might have the safest floor of any receiver on the slate. South Carolina’s top wideout has double-digit receptions in both of his first two games and that high reception volume is DFS gold in cash games with so much unpredictability at the WR position this season. Plus, he basically has a monopoly on targets and receptions in this Gamecock offense as his 22 total catches thus far are miles ahead of the next closest pass-catcher (RB Deshaun Fenwick has nine). Smith is clearly the safety blanket for SC’s grad transfer QB Collin Hill as most of his receptions are shorter completions - he’s averaging 10.3 yards per catch. Smith and Co. have a fairly easy matchup vs. Vanderbilt’s below-average defense this week and we should see him have another stellar game. At the price, though, he’s tough to pay for in cash games - but you know what you’re getting from him and there aren’t as many safe options out there.
Kyle PittsUFTA&M720036.85  
What more can be said about the best tight end in college football? Pitts followed up his four-TD performance from the opener with two more scores last week as he continues to be a touchdown machine in this high-scoring Florida offense. Although he’s a tight end, he’s built like a wide receiver and he’s the clear top target through the air for QB Kyle Trask - especially in the red zone where the Gators are calling plays specifically to get him open near the goal-line. That tells us this TD production isn’t an outlier and we can expect him to be a DFS stud all season barring injury. Texas A&M’s defense is a tougher matchup this week for Florida, but they did just get lit up by Alabama for 435 passing yards and four passing TDs last time out. Pitts remains a high-upside play with how good he’s been in the red zone for a Florida offense that has had no problem moving the ball this season. Stick to GPP’s with him, though, because he should be priced more in the 6k range and some regression is likely coming in one of these next few games.
Billy Kemp IVUVNCST600016.8  
Who remembers Joe Reed? He was Virginia’s best WR a year ago and the offense made a concerted effort to get him the ball as much as possible. It was a necessary playmaking position in the receiving corps to complement the run-heavy scheme and a dual-threat QB. All the training camp talk was that Virginia wanted to find a direct replacement for Reed and it looks like they’ve found it in Billy Kemp. The junior only had 35 receptions all of last season but he’s already totaled 17 catches over the first two games this year - including a 10-catch, 96-yard performance last week vs. Clemson. He’s a definite favorite target of QB Brennan Armstrong as his 17 grabs are notably more than any other Cavalier pass-catcher. It’s wild to think this guy was only 4k a week ago on DK and this huge price jump makes it tough to fully trust him in cash on this slate. However, he could be a great pairing with Armstrong in GPP.
Dyami BrownUNCVT560012.7  
The North Carolina passing offense has largely underperformed this season and it’s made the Heels’ WRs very underpriced right now. Brown and Dazz Newsome ($5400) are both great buy-low opportunities because we have to assume an offensive explosion is incoming soon from the UNC passing attack. This is an offense that produced 3,600 passing yards and 38 passing TDs a year ago with both Brown and Newsome posting 1,000-yard receiving seasons. This year, though, neither has had a good game through two outings. Brown has been the better of the two with his team-leading 10 receptions and 154 yards over two games. Newsome oddly only has three catches for 31 yards thus far. Virginia Tech is an average pass defense this year and last, but Howell and his duo of WRs are ready for a big game. It’s only a matter of time until Brown or Newsome smash value at their cheap price tags and both are worth shots in cash or GPP.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jake SmithUTOU520016.9  
Maybe the worst kept secret in DFS college football right now is the value in Texas’ slot WR position. QB Sam Ehlinger LOVES throwing to his slot receivers and anyone who starts there is a near slam dunk for fantasy production. Last year, it was Devin Duvernay who manned the slot for the Longhorns and he totaled 106 receptions for 1,386 yards and nine TDs over 13 games. In the opener of this year, Brendan Schooler/Jordan Whittington/Kai Money combined for eight catches for 136 yards and two scores. Then it was Schooler/Money totaling 11 grabs for 97 yards and a TD in the second game. Now that Jake Smith is healthy, though, it’s his job to lose as the starting slot WR. In his first game back last week, Smith had six catches for 49 yards and a score. He’ll only get better once he regains a connection with Ehlinger and this high-scoring affair with Oklahoma could be a slate-breaking performance for him. He’s way too cheap right now for what his role is in the Longhorns offense - and there’s no reason for his price reduction from last week. Smith is close to a lock in cash games and he’ll probably be very popular as well so don’t think twice.
Erik EzukanmaTTUISU490017.13  
There are a number of WRs on this slate who are oddly way cheaper than they should be - and Ezukanma is at the top of that list. There’s absolutely no reason he should be under 5k after he had five catches for 77 yards at $6000 a week ago and seven grabs for 91 yards and a TD at $6800 the game before. That second performance was good enough for 22 DK points - which would make him a smash value play at his current salary. Texas Tech has a trio of WRs who share the receiving volume, but it’s Ezukanma who leads the team in receiving yards through three games - and it’s Ezukanma who led the team in receiving yards a year ago. Again, he should not be this cheap and we should gladly pounce on it in cash games with Tech playing in another offensive-filled game with Iowa State. It’s worth noting that T.J. Vasher ($4600) is also way too cheap and in play for cash while KeSean Carter ($6400) has jumped up a lot in salary and he’s solid in both cash and GPP.
Jalen WydermyerTA&MUF420010.05  
Wydermyer had a quiet first game, but then bounced back for eight receptions for 82 yards vs. Alabama last week. Yet again, we have a mispricing from DK as he should not be this cheap. Although he’s a tight end, Wydermyer is basically the #1 receiver in this offense after A&M lost Jhamon Ausbon (opt out), Camron Buckley (injury) & Quartney Davis (NFL) from last year’s pass-catching corps. As a freshman in 2019, Wydermyer led the team in receiving TDs and was third in both receptions and receiving yards. He’s going to be a top target for QB Kellen Mond all year and last week’s eight-catch performance was just the start of a big year that has him in the discussion of being the best college tight end in the nation. The matchup vs. Florida may seem like a tough one, but the Gators D has allowed 327 passing yards per game and five passing TDs through the first two outings. It’s a game that A&M will likely be playing from behind and we should see a ton of targets for Wydermyer for him to be a safe cash play at this cheap salary.
Anthony SchwartzAUBARK410010.15  
Continuing the trend of mispriced receivers, Anthony Schwartz is another notable mistake from DK and his salary is very tempting in both cash and GPP. Schwartz is coming off a performance last week where he had eight catches for 57 yards as one of Auburn’s few bright spots in a loss to Georgia. The junior was the Tigers’ second-leading receiver a year ago and he’s a definite favorite of QB Bo Nix in the passing game. This will definitely be the cheapest he is all season long as he was routinely in the 5-6k range throughout 2019. This week, Schwartz will likely see an uptick in usage and receptions with Auburn dealing with injuries to Seth Williams and Eli Stove - the other two top wideouts in the offense. So we may get a de facto #1 WR at $4100 against a below-average Arkansas pass defense? Sounds like an ideal salary-saver in all formats.
Charlie KolarISUTTU40009.15  
Anyone up for another mispriced pass-catcher on this slate? Kolar is the tight end in Iowa State’s offense and he should be a favorite target of QB Brock Purdy’s all season in the passing attack. Last week, Kolar had four catches for 66 yards and DK responded by discounting his price tag (down from $4200). Over the first two games, he’s already totaled nine receptions and 93 yards - and it’s only a matter of time until he finds the end zone. Kolar led ISU in TD receptions last season as Purdy consistently looked his way in the red zone. The Cyclones get a very favorable matchup vs. a terrible Texas Tech pass defense and Kolar should smash value at this price tag in a high-scoring game. He’s very safe for cash and a welcome salary-saver to get in more studs.

Also Consider: 

  • Dax Milne - BYU ($6,800) - Cash/GPP

  • Taye Barber - TCU ($6,500) - GPP

  • KeSean Carter - Texas Tech ($6,400) - Cash/GPP

  • Hunter Long - Boston College ($5,900) - Cash

  • Kearis Jackson - Georgia ($5,700) - GPP

  • Taj Harris - Syracuse ($5,500) - Cash

  • Emeka Emezie - NC State ($5,100) - Cash/GPP

  • DJ Turner - Pittsburgh ($4,700) - GPP

  • Briley Moore - Kansas State ($4,200) - Cash

Below are example lineups, they are not meant to use for plug and play but examples of what you can do with the players listed above. 

 

DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBSam EhlingerUTOU38.3$9,200
PivotZach WilsonBYUUTSA33.7$9,500
RBBreece HallISUTTU30.5$8,600
Pivot     
RBKevin HarrisSCARVAND22.6$6,700
PivotWayne TaulapapaUVNCST16.8$6,200
WRJake SmithUTOU16.9$5,200
PivotDyami BrownUNCVT12.7$5,600
WRErik EzukanmaTTUISU17.1$4,900
Pivot     
WRCharlie KolarISUTTU9.2$4,000
PivotAnthony SchwartzAUBARK10.2$4,100
FLEXJalen WydermyerTA&MUF10.1$4,200
Pivot     
S-FLEXBrennan ArmstrongUVNCST28.6$6,800
Pivot     
      
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBZach WilsonBYUUTSA33.7$9,500
PivotKyle TraskUFTA&M35.4$8,500
RBZamir WhiteUGATENN19.4$7,200
PivotDeuce VaughnKSUTCU27.3$7,500
RBJeremiah HallOUUT11.7$4,100
PivotTank BigsbyAUBARK9.2$5,600
WRShi SmithSCARVAND29.6$7,600
Pivot     
WRKyle PittsUFTA&M36.9$7,200
Pivot     
WRBilly Kemp IVUVNCST16.8$6,000
PivotJake SmithUTOU16.9$5,200
FLEXZach EvansTCUKSU1.9$3,200
Pivot     
S-FLEXFrank HarrisUTSABYU26.8$5,100
Pivot