Welcome back college football fans! We’ve got a small but fun slate of games this Friday night & it’s time to build some winning lineups to kickoff Week 4. This playbook will only focus on the DraftKings slate in terms of pricing, but feel free to play on FanDuel with the same players as well. If you have any questions on specific players or lineup builds, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @dan_servodidio or on the Discord and I’ll try to help out! Without further ado, let’s dive into the Friday night DFS CFB slate for September 24th! 
 

THE SLATE (Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook): 

6:30 pm ET -- Middle Tennessee at Charlotte (-3) -- 56 O/U

7 pm ET -- Wake Forest at Virginia (-4) -- 68.5 O/U

8 pm ET -- Liberty (-6.5) at Syracuse -- 54 O/U

10 pm ET -- UNLV at Fresno State (-30) -- 58.5 O/U

 

Highest Implied Team Totals (per DK Sportsbook Odds)

Fresno State -- 44.25 points vs. UNLV

Virginia -- 36.25 points vs. Wake Forest

Wake Forest -- 32.25 points vs. Virginia

Liberty -- 30.25 points vs. Syracuse

Charlotte -- 29.5 points vs. Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee -- 26.5 points vs. Charlotte
 

QUARTERBACKS

Quarterbacks
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Brennan ArmstrongUVWAKE870040.07  
Virginia boasts one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country right now and Brennan Armstrong is benefiting from the pass-heavy tendency. Last week vs. UNC, he threw for a program-record 554 yards and four TDs - which came a week after he tossed 405 yards and five TDs vs. Illinois. This matchup vs. Wake will likely turn into a back-and-forth scoring contest like that previous game vs. North Carolina. If that’s the case, Armstrong should be in line for another big statistical game and it will make him popular on this short slate.
Malik WillisLIBSYR850033.01  
Since Willis plays at lesser-known Liberty in a lower-scoring matchup overall vs. ‘Cuse, he may get overlooked this week - especially with Brennan Armstrong not much more expensive. However, Willis is one of the best QB talents in the country and brings along some legit dual-threat floor/upside. Last season, he ran for a team-high 944 yards and 14 TDs across 10 games with at least 44 rushing yards every week - and usually pushing 100 yards on the ground. This year through three games, Willis already has four rush TDs and 225 rushing yards - not to mention a stellar 7:0 TD:INT ratio and 71% completion rate. With Liberty favored on the road vs. Syracuse, expect the ball to be in Willis’ hands a ton whether he’s throwing or running it. He might even have a higher floor than Armstrong and makes for an excellent cash play.
Jake HaenerFRESUNLV790030.42  
Fresno State is projected to score the most on this slate and Jake Haener is the headliner of a high-scoring offense. Last week’s matchup vs. UCLA was supposed to be a tougher one for Haener, but he still threw for 455 yards and multiple TDs on a whopping 53 pass attempts. It gets much easier this time around with Fresno favored by four-plus scores against a soft UNLV defense. Though we can’t expect another 50 attempts from Hener this time around, he can easily return value with Fresno scoring early and often - like when he was responsible for six TDs vs. Cal Poly two weeks ago. On this short slate, he’s a great Super-Flex option.
Chris ReynoldsCHARMTSU570022.5  
Considering the slightly high total and tight spread, there should be plenty of DFS points for Charlotte’s offense as minimal favorites over Middle Tennessee. Although Reynolds’ passing game logs aren’t pretty so far, it’s encouraging to see him provide a little rushing value as he’s racked up 111 yards and two scores on the ground through three games. Plus, let’s not forget that Reynolds went for 324 passing yards and four total TDs against Duke back in Week 1 - so that upside is definitely there to smash this price tag. He’s not bad as a cheap Super-Flex if you want to fit in all the stud WRs.
Keytaon ThompsonUVWAKE450015.82  
It’s worth mentioning Thompson because of how cheap he is and the upside he brings on a shorter slate. The senior may be listed at quarterback on DK, but he’s officially a “football player” on UVA’s depth chart. Thompson lines up at QB, RB and WR throughout the game as a multi-dimensional playmaker for the offense and can easily post stats in passing, rushing and receiving categories in any given game. Over the first three games, the former Mississippi State QB has racked up 78 rushing yards and a rush TD on 12 carries for a healthy 6.5 ypc average and 14 receptions for 197 receiving yards - ranking second and third on the team in rushing and receiving yards, respectively. Though he won’t be passing much (he’s only 1-for-3 this season so far), Thompson is always a TD candidate in Virginia’s high-scoring offense - he scored six times last year in a similar role. Considering the Super-Flex format, you can definitely roster Thompson alongside Brennan Armstrong in the same lineups to stack up the Cavaliers.

Also Consider: 

Sam Hartman -- Wake Forest ($7,700)

Chase Cunningham -- Middle Tennessee ($5,300)

 

RUNNING BACKS

Running Backs
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Sean TuckerSYRLIB640036.5  
Tucker is the top tournament RB on this slate and may go more lower-owned than his final stats prove to be. Not only is he the most expensive at the position with some solid cheaper options below him, but Tucker also has the toughest matchup on the slate. Liberty’s rush defense is allowing a slate-low 58 rushing yards per game through three weeks and Syracuse may end up throwing more than usual as underdogs in this game. Even so, Tucker just racked up 250+ total yards and five TDs a week ago. While it was a soft matchup, it’s hard to ignore a massive stat line like that. The RB remains the top playmaker in this ‘Cuse offense and he could be leaned on to keep the ball moving - so expect a solid workload and potential for multiple scores and 100+ total yards.
Ronnie RiversFRESUNLV560020.8  
Frankly, Rivers is way too cheap for how talented a RB he is in real life - and it should result in him being very popular in cash on this slate. Last week in a “tough” matchup vs. UCLA, he finished with 136 rush yards and two rush TDs while adding in three catches for 26 yards. It’s good to see Rivers get involved in the passing game every week thus far, even though his rushing game logs haven’t been the best. This is still a guy who had 771 total yards and nine TDs over five games last year before getting hurt. The UNLV rush defense is allowing nearly 200 rushing yards per game this season and has already given up seven rush TDs through three games. Rivers should be in line for a big game and is very easy to fit into lineups.
Christian Beal-SmithWAKEUV530016.67  
We told y’all to play Beal-Smith last week vs. Florida State and he responded with 100+ total yards and 17 DK to return enough value. Somehow he’s even cheaper than last week and now in another high-scoring matchup against a questionable UVA defense that’s allowing 200 rushing yards per game. With Kenneth Walker gone, this formerly split backfield is now all Beal-Smith getting the lion’s share of touches - as evidenced by his 20 touches last week in Wake’s first conference game. Expect him to get plenty of work in this game that should be a back-and-forth offensive battle. He’s basically a cash lock on this slate.
Calvin CampCHARMTSU34008.13  
The Charlotte backfield is a pretty even split between Camp and Shadrick Byrd this season, and there’s no reason why Byrd should be $1300 more expensive. That makes Camp the better value if you want to roster a RB from this offense - and he could easily smash value with 15 DK or so if he finds the end zone. Camp’s 160 rushing yards actually bests Byrd’s 126 through three games and the carries are pretty split down the middle with Camp at 30 and Byrd at 35. In cash, there’s no reason to roster Byrd over Camp considering the price differential and similar workload.
Amir RasulMTSUCHAR30002.67  
The Charlotte rush defense is the worst on this slate - allowing 271 rushing yards per game this season - that’s the good news. The bad news is that the Middle Tennessee backfield is a complete guessing game with a RB-by-committee and multiple guys getting carries every week. You can make an argument for any of them, but Rasul is very interesting at min price. He actually leads the team in carries and rushing yards through three games and has been getting the most consistent workload among the MTSU ball-carriers. There’s a chance the offense leans on the run game more in this favorable matchup while also having a new starting QB. It’s worth a shot in GPP if it means you fit in one more stud.

Also Consider: 

Joshua Mack -- Liberty ($5,900)

Shadrick Byrd -- Charlotte ($4,700)

Chaton Mobley -- Middle Tennessee ($4,200)

Jordan Mims -- Fresno State ($3,600)

Justice Ellison -- Wake Forest ($3,000)

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Wide Receivers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Billy Kemp IVUVWAKE870020.2  
The price tag is hefty, but Kemp has the ability to break any slate he’s on because he can take it to the house whenever he touches the ball. Against UNC last week, he put up eight receptions for 106 yards, two scores and 33 DK - and he can feasibly do that again this week in another high-scoring matchup vs. Wake. He led the Cavs in receptions and yardage last year as Armstrong’s favorite target and the biggest playmaker on this offense. They’ll get the ball in Kemp’s hands as much as possible and his DFS floor is pretty safe as he’s totaled 18 receptions through three games already.
Jalen CropperFRESUNLV740026.46  
We all knew Jalen Cropper had big games in him, but last week’s performance vs. UCLA was slate-breaking. He put up 14 receptions for 141 yards and two total TDs (one receiving, one rushing) against a solid UCLA defense. Through three games, Cropper now has 29 catches for 347 yards and five total scores - and he’ll be posting impressive stat lines on a weekly basis. He’s QB Jake Haener’s favorite target two years running now and should have no problem dominating a weak UNLV defense. There’s enough value where you can fit Cropper in the same lineups with high-priced UVA receivers.
Dontayvion WicksUVWAKE710023.44  
Though the prices don’t reflect it, Wicks is actually Virginia’s leading receiver this season in terms of yardage (346) through three games. While Kemp is the offense’s top playmaker, Wicks is a big-play weapon for Brennan Armstrong - as evidenced by his 183 yards on seven receptions last week. He’s got three TDs and 250+ receiving yards over the last two games combined and is having a better season than Ra’Shaun Henry thus far - though the latter is much more expensive on this slate. Wicks will probably go overlooked for those of us locking in Kemp, but he could easily outproduce his teammate in a high-scoring game.
A.T. PerryWAKEUV610017.83  
While Jaquarii Roberson is the headliner in Wake’s receiving corps, A.T. Perry actually leads the team in receptions (13) and receiving yards (255) through three games and his two TDs are tied with Roberson. Though Perry had a quiet season a year ago, he’s clearly a much bigger part of the offense and QB Sam Hartman is looking his way very often. The seven receptions for 155 yards last week gives you a good idea of the slate-breaking ceiling Perry can have - and the price tag is very affordable.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Taj HarrisSYRLIB500015.55  
This is a situation to monitor ahead of kickoff, but Taj Harris is simply too cheap if he’s indeed playing this week. He sat out last weekend for an undisclosed reason but is expected to be back in there against Liberty. Even though he missed the last game, Harris’ 14 receptions for 151 yards still lead the team and he should see plenty of target volume if ‘Cuse wants to pull off the win at home. He’s a PPR machine and will provide a safe floor to pay off this 5k price tag - just make sure he’s playing before this 8 pm ET kickoff.
Grant DuBoseCHARMTSU490015.97  
If you compare Charlotte’s top two receivers, DuBose sticks out as the better per-dollar play than Victor Tucker. There’s the slight savings, which is definitely notable because DuBose’s 209 receiving yards is more than Tucker’s 177 so far. Plus, DuBose has two receiving scores compared to none for Tucker. Yet the wrong one is nearly $1000 more expensive on this slate - go figure! If you’re playing QB Chris Reynolds, then DuBose makes for a pretty affordable mini-stack to get exposure to the Charlotte offense.
Demario DouglasLIBSYR440015.17  
Though DJ Stubbs and Kevin Shaa were the top two targets for QB Malik Willis last year, Demario Douglas leads the team in receptions and receiving yards through three games this season. He’s been the more consistent pass-catcher compared to Stubbs and Shaa so far and doesn’t deserve to be significantly cheaper than the other two on this slate. If you’re looking to pair a Liberty receiver with Willis in lineups, Douglas is the best value.
Jelani WoodsUVWAKE400015.47  
Considering all the prices for the UVA pass-catchers, there’s no way Woods should be this cheap. The tight end is a legit weapon for QB Brennan Armstrong and his stat lines the past two games show just that. Woods had five catches for 122 yards and a TD vs. Illinois two weeks ago and then six for 47 and a score last week vs. UNC. We can throw out his dud in Week 1 as he departed early with an injury in a blowout win. The last two weeks vs. tougher competition is a good representation of the solid role Woods has in this offense - but his price tag doesn’t reflect that here. Expect Woods to be popular in cash as cheap exposure to the UVA offense.
Jimmy MarshallMTSUCHAR350012.9  
As is the case with MTSU’s backfield, the workload among the receivers is very spread out this season and it’s hard to pinpoint which one is the best DFS play. Plus, the offense will have a new QB under center in Chase Cunningham - and he could end up having favorite targets. Last week when Cunningham relieved Bailey Hockman, though, he threw two TDs - one to Jarrin Pierce and one to Jimmy Marshall. So maybe that’s something. Considering all the price tags among these Middle Tennessee pass-catchers, Marshall is the best value. He actually leads the team in receptions and receiving yards through three games and could easily do so this week.

Also Consider: 

Ra’Shaun Henry -- Virginia ($7,900)

Kevin Shaa -- Liberty ($7,300)

Jaquarii Roberson -- Wake Forest ($7,000)

Josh Kelly -- Fresno State ($6,500)

Victor Tucker -- Charlotte ($5,700)

Jarrin Pierce -- Middle Tennessee ($3,200)

 

EXAMPLE LINEUPS

DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBBrennan ArmstrongUVWAKE40.1$8,700
Pivot     
RBRonnie RiversFRESUNLV20.8$5,600
Pivot     
RBChristian Beal-SmithWAKEUV16.7$5,300
Pivot     
WRTaj HarrisSYRLIB15.6$5,000
PivotJimmy MarshallMTSUCHAR12.9$3,500
WRJelani WoodsUVWAKE15.5$4,000
Pivot     
WRJalen CropperFRESUNLV26.5$7,400
PivotBilly Kemp IVUVWAKE20.2$8,700
FLEXA.T. PerryWAKEUV17.8$6,100
Pivot     
S-FLEXJake HaenerFRESUNLV30.4$7,900
Pivot     
      
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBMalik WillisLIBSYR33$8,500
Pivot     
RBSean TuckerSYRLIB36.5$6,400
Pivot     
RBRonnie RiversFRESUNLV20.8$5,600
Pivot     
WRDontayvion WicksUVWAKE23.4$7,100
PivotJaquarii RobersonWAKEUV12.8$7,000
WRDemario DouglasLIBSYR15.2$4,400
Pivot     
WRJalen CropperFRESUNLV26.5$7,400
Pivot     
FLEXGrant DuBoseCHARMTSU16$4,900
PivotJoshua MackLIBSYR7$5,900
S-FLEXChris ReynoldsCHARMTSU22.5$5,700
PivotKeytaon ThomsponUVWAKE15.8$4,500