CFB DFS Playbook & Example Lineups: December 5
Published: Dec 04, 2020
Don’t worry people...no Thursday Night Football in the NFL? No problem! We have a full day of college football on Saturday with tons of top-tier offenses in action on the main slate. We have *fingers crossed* no COVID cancellations on the slate as of Thursday night - but be sure to stay tuned to the latest news as we could easily see a matchup postponed as late as Saturday morning.
Let’s dive in and take a look at the DraftKings main slate for Saturday Week 14 in CFB. As always, I’ll be in the chat early Saturday morning to provide last-minute injury updates and answer any lineup questions for either site! Good luck!
THE SLATE (betting odds via DK Sportsbook as of 12/3):
12 pm ET -- Ohio State (-24) @ Michigan State -- 59.5 o/u
12 pm ET -- Texas A&M (-6.5) @ Auburn -- 48 o/u
12 pm ET -- Texas (-7) @ Kansas State -- 51.5 o/u
12 pm ET -- Oklahoma State @ TCU (-1) -- 51 o/u
12 pm ET -- Nebraska @ Purdue (-2.5) -- 62.5 o/u
2:30 pm ET -- Syracuse @ Notre Dame (-33.5) -- 51.5 o/u
3:30 pm ET -- Florida (-17.5) @ Tennessee -- 61.5 o/u
3:30 pm ET -- West Virginia @ Iowa State (-6) -- 49.5 o/u
3:30 pm ET -- Iowa (-13.5) @ Illinois -- 51 o/u
3:30 pm ET -- Indiana @ Wisconsin (-14) -- 45.5 o/u
3:30 pm ET -- Boston College @ Virginia (-4) -- 54.5 o/u
4 pm ET -- Vanderbilt @ Georgia (-35.5) -- 53.5 o/u
4 pm ET -- Stanford @ Washington (-12) -- 50.5 o/u
4 pm ET -- Georgia Tech @ NC State (-7) -- 59.5 o/u
Highest Team Totals (per DK Sportsbook Odds)
Georgia -- 44.5 points vs. Vanderbilt
Notre Dame -- 42.5 points vs. Syracuse
Ohio State -- 41.75 points @ Michigan State
Florida -- 39.5 points @ Tennessee
NC State -- 33.25 points vs. Georgia Tech
Iowa -- 32.5 points @ Illinois
Purdue -- 32.5 points vs. Nebraska
Washington -- 31.25 points vs. Stanford
QUARTERBACKS
| Quarterbacks | |||||||
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
| Justin Fields | OSU | MSU | 10000 | 34.46 | |||
| The price tag is hefty, but Justin Fields always needs to be in consideration for DFS as one of the most talented QBs in the country and likely a top five NFL Draft pick. The Buckeyes’ dual-threat has been very efficient in limited action and has shown his rushing upside when needed as well. Before he tossed three picks vs. Indiana last week, Fields did have a 11:0 TD:INT ratio and 86% completion rate through the first three games. Plus, he has two games of 50+ rushing yards and a TD. Assuming Ohio State is able to play this one (and not have another game cancelled by COVID), Fields should easily provide 30 DK points as a floor with upside for 40+ against a Michigan State defense that allowed Iowa and Indiana’s offenses to have big days earlier this season. He’ll likely be less popular in all formats because of the price jump, but you know what you’re getting with Fields if you have the salary to fit him in for cash. Look elsewhere in GPP’s though. | |||||||
| Kyle Trask | UF | TENN | 9600 | 33.9 | |||
| Although Trask had three passing TDs, a 77% completion rate and 22.5 DK points last week, it was actually a “down” game for the Heisman contender. We’ve gotten used to penciling him in for 30 or more DK points every week - and you’ll need that if you’re paying this much for Trask as your QB1. There’s some definite DFS floor with him, though, because of how pass-heavy the Florida offense is. No matter the opponent or matchup, we can bank on Trask putting up numbers in a high-scoring Gators’ attack that leans on his passing ability. He’s thrown for at least three passing scores in every game thus far and we’ve seen no reason to expect otherwise vs. Tennessee this week - a defense that’s in a tailspin and getting worse with every passing week. He’s more a GPP play at this expensive price, but a high floor option nonetheless. | |||||||
| Brennan Armstrong | UV | BC | 8200 | 25.88 | |||
| Without many strong options in the 8k range this week, Brennan Armstrong may end up being pretty popular in cash games because of his rushing floor, decent matchup and consistent production lately. Over the last three games, he’s put 29+ DK points with 50+ rushing yards each time. He’s basically the top rushing option on the Virginia offense without any trustworthy RBs emerging and Armstrong choosing to hold the ball and run more often than not in the run-pass option plays. He’ll face a Boston College defense that’s allowed 17 rush TDs through 10 games while also being vulnerable through the air at times this year. Although he’s seen a price increase, Armstrong is a solid cash play in all formats. | |||||||
| Bailey Hockman | NCST | GT | 7400 | 16.49 | |||
| Outside of a bust outing vs. Liberty a couple weeks ago, Bailey Hockman has been a fantastic source of value at QB and he’s still cheap enough to make a solid Super-Flex option. Outside of that aforementioned bad performance, Hockman has put up 27+ DK points in his last three games vs. ACC opponents with a 9:3 TD:INT ratio in that span. He’s taken advantage of favorable matchups vs. Syracuse and Florida State - and will have a similar opportunity this week vs. Georgia Tech’s pass defense that’s among the worst on this slate and in the country overall. Hockman will likely be popular in cash games and GPP as a QB2 and may be hard to ignore. | |||||||
| Phil Jurkovec | BC | UV | 6600 | 21.72 | |||
| While we may like Virginia’s QB this week, looking on the other side of the matchup presents some great value. Jurkovec will face a UVA pass defense that’s among the worst on this slate - allowing nearly 300 passing yards per game. The Boston College signal-caller definitely has the talent to put up numbers in this matchup. Jurkovec has at least 20+ DK points in nearly every game this year and last week’s dud is because he left early with a knee injury. Reports indicate he will be fine and active on Saturday after practicing this week, but something to monitor ahead of this 3:30 pm ET kickoff. If he doesn’t play, you can easily pivot down to BC backup Dennis Grosel. | |||||||
Also Consider:
Sam Ehlinger - Texas ($9,100) - GPP
JT Daniels - Georgia ($9,000) - GPP
Jack Plummer - Purdue ($7,900) - Cash
Kellen Mond - Texas A&M ($7,700) - GPP
Jeff Sims - Georgia Tech ($7,300) - Cash
Spencer Sanders - Oklahoma State ($6,800) - GPP
Jarret Doege - West Virginia ($6,200) - Cash
Ricky Lombardi - Michigan State ($5,100) - GPP
RUNNING BACKS
| Running Backs | |||||||
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
| Kyren Williams | ND | SYR | 9200 | 24.96 | |||
| We’ve been targeting against the Syracuse rush defense all season and this week’s lucky opponent is the Irish and their stud back. The price tag is at a season-high for Williams - and will be tough to roster in cash - but the tournament-winning upside is there for any RB in this matchup. The ‘Cuse defense is allowing over 200 rushing yards per game and has given up 21 rushing scores through 10 games. Nearly every opposing lead back facing the Orange has had good DFS performances and there’s no reason to expect otherwise from Williams. He’s coming off a 39 DK point outing last week vs. UNC when he rushed for 124 yards and three total TDs. There’s a slight risk that Notre Dame doesn’t give Williams a full workload in an easy win, but he could also have a big statistical day before that time comes anyway. | |||||||
| Zander Horvath | PUR | NEB | 8400 | 23.4 | |||
| It feels a bit weird locking in Horvath as the top cash game RB this week, but that’s where we’re at on a slate without many trustworthy options in the top-tier. Purdue’s lead back will have a phenomenal matchup vs. a Nebraska defense that’s allowing over 200 rushing yards per week and 12 rush TDs through five games. Plus, the Huskers have allowed three different 100-yard rushers over the last two games - with two coming from the same Illinois backfield. Yeah, Horvath should eat in this matchup. He already has three 100-yard outings in five weeks and has been involved a lot in the passing game as well with 26 catches for 271 yards thus far. Lock him into cash lineups with GPP upside as well. | |||||||
| Tyler Goodson | IOWA | IL | 7400 | 20.7 | |||
| Is anyone else frustrated by the Iowa backfield right now? Although Goodson is the proven #1 back in the offense, backup Sargent is still being used a decent amount in the red zone and has vultured seven TDs already in six games. It’s not like Goodson’s been bad, though, with a consistent workload of carries in a run-heavy Iowa offense and three 100-yard outings in the last four games. However, the ceiling could be even better as his six rushing TDs trails Sargent right now. On the bright side, this trend has kept Goodson very affordable and he’s in a smash spot against an Illinois defense that’s allowing nearly 194 rushing yards and nearly two rush TDs per game. Goodson is great for cash or GPP this week in a favorable matchup with an attractive volume of touches. | |||||||
| Zamir White | UGA | VAND | 6800 | 16.2 | |||
| Anyone facing the Vanderbilt defense needs to be strongly considered at this point - and it’s the Georgia offense this week with Zamir White appearing as a big value. Although he’s only rushed for 100+ yards in two games this year, the weekly upside is there for White to put up 20-25 DK points or more - something he’s done four times this season, including three in the last four games. The Vandy defense is horrendous - allowing 188 rushing yards per game and 18 rush TDs through eight games - and Smith can easily take advantage with a GPP-winning performance. There are a couple risks in rostering him, though, which is why he’s better suited for tournaments. Georgia may throw more with the Vandy pass defense also being bad, and backup James Cook could get more run as well - both things would take away from Smith’s DFS value obviously. You can also look at Cook ($5500) as a value option in GPP’s. | |||||||
| Kamari Pleasant | UW | STAN | 5000 | 13.67 | |||
| Continuing the theme of easy matchups, the Washington backfield is one to target with some value against a porous Stanford rush defense. The Cardinal D is the worst on the slate when it comes to defending the run - allowing 229 rushing yards and multiple rush TDs per game through three weeks. As for the Huskies’ RBs, it’s been a mostly split backfield but Kamari Pleasant might finally be separating himself. Pleasant had been splitting carries with Richard Newton - but the latter didn’t even touch the ball last week while Pleasant had a team-high 12 carries and found the end zone. The senior has now scored in all three games and even had four catches last game. With Sean McGrew being the change-of-pace back and Newton being phased out, the path should be clear for Pleasant to see double-digit carries against a soft run defense. At this price, he’s an excellent cash game option. | |||||||
Also Consider:
Breece Hall - Iowa State ($8,700) - GPP
Master Teague - Ohio State ($8,300) - GPP
Isaiah Spiller - Texas A&M ($7,600) - Cash
Eric Gray - Tennessee ($7,100) - GPP
Zonovan Knight - NC State ($6,300) - GPP/Cash
James Cook - Georgia ($5,500) - GPP
Mekhi Sargent - Iowa ($4,800) - GPP
Jordan Mason - Georgia Tech ($4,200) - Cash
WIDE RECEIVERS
| Wide Recievers | |||||||
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
| Kyle Pitts | UF | TENN | 7800 | 24.88 | |||
| After missing two games with a concussion, Pitts showed everyone why he’s the best tight end in the country and likely a first round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft when he snagged three receiving TDs last week. He’s very clearly the top receiving target for QB Kyle Trask and the two have a connection that might be the best QB-receiver combo in all of college football. Pitts now has 11 TDs in just six games and has legit slate-breaking upside if he’s scoring multiple times in a game - something he’s done three times already this year. With the increased price tag, he’s more a GPP play on this slate - but can’t blame you for playing in cash too. | |||||||
| Tylan Wallace | OKST | TCU | 7300 | 20.52 | |||
| It’s amazing how much better Tylan Wallace is when Spencer Sanders is healthy and under center for a full game. With Sanders back last week, Wallace went off for seven receptions, 129 yards and a TD. In the beginning of the season when Sanders was entrenched as the starter, Wallace was also fantastic and a legit threat to be the top WR on any slate he was on. We should expect another good game from the duo this week with Sanders and the offense clicking on all cylinders. The matchup vs. TCU isn’t a great one on paper, but Wallace is the clear-cut top receiving option in this offense and Sanders will force the ball to him in this close game. With a price tag that's still ver affordable compared to his real upside, he's a solid play in all formats. | |||||||
| Rondale Moore | PUR | NEB | 6800 | 26.35 | |||
| As long as Rondale Moore is priced this low, he needs to be considered in cash or GPP because of his pure talent and clear value to the Purdue offense. After sitting out the beginning of the season, Moore has returned to play a big role for the Boilermakers over the last two games. In his season debut, he totaled 38 DK points with an impressive 15 receptions, 136 total yards and a rushing score - and then followed that up with seven grabs for 76 yards last week with two rushing attempts added in. His floor is safe because of the total touch volume as a top playmaker in the offense - and he’s got GPP upside in a potentially high-scoring game against a Nebraska defense that’s been shaky this season. | |||||||
| Thayer Thomas | NCST | GT | 5900 | 12.77 | |||
| We mentioned above how Wolfpack QB Bailey Hockman is a great play this week - so why not look at his top receivers as well? The NC State offense should find success through the air against a bad Georgia Tech pass defense. Both Emeka Emezie ($4900) and Cary Angeline ($4100) are cheaper avenues to this passing attack, but Thayer Thomas stands out as a possible slate-breaker at an affordable price tag. Last week vs. Syracuse, he exploded for 40 DK points with his three TDs on nine catches and 102 yards - which came two weeks after he went for 39.5 DK points vs. Florida State with 11 catches for 135 yards and two scores. Oddly, though, he had a goose egg in the game in between vs. Liberty and didn’t do a whole this year outside of those two outbursts. The price increase is probably warranted for the upside he’s shown recently as he and Hockman clearly have a connection - especially in the red zone. | |||||||
| Zay Flowers | BC | UV | 5200 | 17.66 | |||
| If we like Boston College QB Phil Jurkovec against this bad Virginia pass defense, let’s look at his top receivers as well. Flowers’ 712 receiving yards and seven receiving TDs lead the BC pass-catchers this season and his 48 catches are just one behind Hunter Long for the team lead. Flowers has put up double-digit DK points nearly every week with a usually high floor of receptions with a rushing attempt or two added in as well. He’s a fantastic bargain at this price tag with a good chance of giving you 15-20 DK points with potential for more in a great matchup. | |||||||
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
| Winston Wright Jr. | WVU | ISU | 5000 | 13.72 | |||
| There’s a bunch of mid-range WRs in play and Winston Wright can provide a solid floor for cash games. Although his per-game yardage isn’t really high - eclipsing 100 yards just twice so far - Wright’s reception floor in any given game is really good for someone in this price range. He’s caught at least four passes in all but one game this year and is almost a lock to give you double-digit DK points with his PPR value. West Virginia will likely be throwing it more this week against a tough OK State rush defense, so look for Wright to rack up the receptions once again and provide a solid cash floor. | |||||||
| Jalen Nailor | MSU | OSU | 4500 | 13.8 | |||
| Would you believe that Ohio State is actually among the worst statistical pass defenses on this slate? Yep! The Buckeyes are allowing nearly 300 passing yards per game with nine passing scores allowed through four games. While some of that passing production may come in garbage time - and some even in closer games - we’ll take the value any way we can get it in DFS. It’s clear, though, that the OSU defense isn’t as scary as it’s been in recent years and it’s one we can definitely target against right now. Michigan State’s receivers present a ton of value and Nailor seems like the best option per-dollar. Through five games, his 379 receiving yards leads the Spartans by more than 100 for the next-highest - and he’s put up 19 DK points in three different outings so far. He’s an attractive cheap flier for all formats. | |||||||
Also Consider:
David Bell - Purdue ($7,500) - GPP
Chris Olave - Ohio State ($7,100) - Cash/GPP
Wan’Dale Robinson - Nebraska ($6,900) - GPP
Jalen Wydermyer - Texas A&M ($5,600) - GPP
Jake Smith - Texas ($4,900) - Cash
Charlie Kolar - Iowa State ($4,800) - Cash
Hunter Long - Boston College ($4,700) - GPP/Cash
Jayden Reed - Michigan State ($4,300) - GPP
Michael Mayer - Notre Dame ($3,900) - Cash
Example Lineups
Please note these lineups are not meant to be plug and play but examples of lineups you can make using playbook above.