We have six total games today, though, only five of them are “in play” here in our DraftKings CFB DFS main slate. Here is a quick look at them:
1:00 PM - Stanford vs. Pittsburgh
2:00 PM - Michigan State vs. Oregon
2:45 PM - Mizzou vs. Oklahoma State
6:00 PM - Northwestern vs. Utah
6:30 PM - North Carolina State vs. Texas A&M
This lineup construction article will take on a backwards approach. Sometimes, it is best to eliminate some options based on matchups and limit your pool of available players before going forward. With this slate, it can be easier to do that most.
Pittsburgh passing game vs. Stanford...CB Paulson Adebo is a top talent and a shut-down type cornerback. The Panthers will need to do it on the ground with their duo of running backs, so we are avoiding Kenny Pickett and any of the PITT receivers.
Northwestern, Oregon, NC State and Texas A&M running games….Yeah, that means we will be eliminating some top players from the slate, but all three of these opponents are stingy against the run. A&M is ranked 2nd in the country (despite missing a couple of starters), while their opponent NC State is right up there in the top 15. Utah can shut down anybody and that makes intriguing freshman Isaiah Bowser a fade play today. Yes, even that Ducks duo of CJ Verdell and Travis Dye are going to find it tough sledding against Michigan State.
Essentially, if we focus on loading up on the highest total of the day (by far) in Mizzou vs. Oklahoma State, we should be in good shape. There are will be a lot of throws in the passing games today due to some really shut-down type defenses on the run. That means there are plenty of solid options at quarterback and receiver. So, the key will be finding the runners to get us over the top.
Mizzou’s Drew Lock and the Pokes Taylor Cornelius are the top options price-wise. I think both of those running backs are going to be a bit more intriguing and we can pay less at QB, getting plenty of production to make up for it. So, let’s throw both Larry Rountree III ($6,900) and Chuba Hubbard ($6,200) in our lineup to start. Now, we have some flexibility to load up on receivers. Both Tylan Wallace and Stanford’s J.J. Arcega-Whiteside are so intriguing in this one and while you’ll have to pay up for Wallace ($8,400), I’m a bit surprised at the low-cost of Whiteside - who is one of the top receivers in the country when healthy and playing right. At quarterback, let’s go with K.J. Costello against PITT. This Stanford offense should find some room and he’s very reasonably priced at just $6,500.
The key to this lineup though, is Michigan State running back LJ Scott, who is returning from injury and after deciding to not pursue a fifth year and enter the NFL Draft, his motivation will be high. He’s just $4,000 and he can find some running room against the Ducks defense. He’s in the FLEX spot and we are good to go there.
A&M QB Kellen Mond can chuck it and/or run it. He’s an intriguing dual-threat option against a solid, but not great NC State defense. If the Wolfpack sell out to stop RB Trayveon Williams, Mond can open it up against them. I like him in the S-FLEX and leaves us with $4,100 for our third wide receiver. This is the perfect spot for Mizzou freshman Jalen Knox to make a statement in the final game of the season. Knox has disappeared the last three weeks and that has caused that price to drop significantly, but don’t forget, he had five grabs for 104 yards and a touchdown week eight against Memphis and five for 110 and another score against Purdue. This game follows those high volume scripts and he should see more targets as they try to stop Emanuel Hall and we aren’t sure if big tight end Albert Okwuebugnam is playing in this one.
Other options:
No Bryce Love for the Cardinal today, so it would be intriguing to see more of Cameron Scarlett, especially on the goalline. He’s also reasonably priced at $6,200.
Mizzou’s WR Emanuel Hall is a big play waiting to happen and you know Drew Lock will be looking his way early and often. He’s been banged up recently and that is enough to give some pause and avoid him in this particular lineup - however, don’t be shy to get him in a tournament lineup.