We’re back for another weekend of college football! We’re now a week-plus into the season and Saturday gives another full day of games - thankfully with more Power 5 programs in action. 

This playbook will focus on the DraftKings early 11-game slate, which includes the matchups listed below. Note that the UNC-Charlotte game has been postponed so obviously don’t play any of the players in that one. Also note that FanDuel has an all-day slate containing night games - which are not on this early DK slate. 

Hit me up in the CFB FA chat on Saturday before 12 pm ET and I’ll answer any lineup questions! Good luck! 

THE SLATE (betting odds via DK Sportsbook as of 9/18): 

  • 12 pm ET -- Tulsa @ Oklahoma State (-23) -- 66 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Syracuse @ Pittsburgh (-21.5) -- 50 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Austin Peay @ Cincinnati (-34.5) -- 52.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Navy @ Tulane (-7) -- 49.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Louisiana (-15) @ Georgia State -- 58.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Houston @ Baylor (-4.5) -- 63 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Boston College @ Duke (-6) -- 52 o/u

  • 1:30 pm ET -- Appalachian State (-4.5) @ Marshall -- 59.5 o/u

  • 2:30 pm ET -- South Florida @ Notre Dame (-25) -- 50.5 o/u

  • 3:30 pm ET -- UCF (-7.5) @ Georgia Tech -- 60 o/u

  • 4 pm ET -- The Citadel @ Clemson (-45.5) -- 57.5 o/u

QUARTERBACKS

Quarterbacks
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Desmond RidderCINCY 87000  
With UNC & Sam Howell no longer on the slate, the top-end of the QB position is tough to navigate in GPP’s - but Desmond Ridder could end being the highest scorer this week in an easy matchup. Cincinnati has one of the more favorable opponents of the day as Austin Peay was just blown out by Pittsburgh 55-0 last week while also losing to Central Arkansas in the opener. Ridder is a dual-threat QB who could have a big statistical performance in this tune-up before Cincy faces tougher competition. He’s coming off a season where he threw for over 2,000 yards and added 650 rushing yards with five rushing scores. Ridder had three games of 100-plus rushing yards in 2019 and the ceiling is definitely there for him to get there in this easy matchup. The risk, though, is that he doesn’t play the whole game in a blowout and thus his stats could be capped. His price makes him a GPP only play.
Charlie BrewerBAYUH80000930021.82
Welcome to the likely most popular cash QB of the slate - and we will gladly eat the chalk in a dream scenario for the Baylor offense. Houston’s pass defense allowed 288 yards per game last year (124th of 130 FBS teams) and this game has one of the highest point totals of the day (63) with Baylor only a one-score favorite. This will be an offensive-filled game on both sides and Brewer will headline the Bears’ offense that throws a ton, plays uptempo and has the best passing matchup on the docket. Brewer totaled 3,162 passing yards last season with a 21:7 TD:INT ratio - and he also provides some rushing upside after scoring 11 rushing TDs with five games of 40+ rush yards a year ago. Because of the potential back-and-forth game flow with a high total, we definitely want exposure to the Baylor and Houston offenses - and Brewer is actually fairly affordable compared to other high-priced QBs on the slate. Playing him in cash is likely the best strategy with high ownership and upside for a big stat line.
Spencer SandersOKST 76000960019.22
We had to wait an extra week to see this high-scoring Oklahoma State offense, but it’s a welcome sight to see their matchup with Tulsa get moved up to 12 pm ET from the previously-scheduled Saturday evening kickoff. For starters, we definitely want exposure to this OK ST offense with them favored by 23 points in the highest total of the slate - putting the starting QB squarely in play, especially at this price tag. Sanders is entrenched as the starter this season after battling with Dru Brown a year ago. He’s a dual-threat QB who totaled 2,065 passing yards and 628 rushing yards in 2019. Although he does have some accuracy issues (16:11 TD:INT ratio last year), Sanders has the weekly upside to put up 30 DK points because of his rushing production. He’s more of a GPP play on this slate, but the tournament-winning potential is certainly there.
Grant WellsMRSHL 630034.28900031.28
This Marshall-App St matchup may go overlooked on this slate for the simple reason that a lot more Power 5 teams are in action this weekend. However, this game has the 5th-highest point total of the slate (59.5) and Marshall is only a four-point dog - meaning Vegas expects a back-and-forth, high-scoring game that comes down to the last possession with both teams projected to score four TDs apiece. Coincidentally, Wells is coming off a monster game two weeks ago where he threw for four scores with 307 passing yards on only 23 attempts - and added 30 rushing yards. Yes, that performance came against easy competition in FCS-level Eastern Kentucky - but it was the redshirt freshman’s first ever collegiate game and it’s hard to ignore stats like those. We can expect a little regression vs. a tougher defense in App State, but we could easily see another 25+ DK points from him in a high-scoring matchup where he’s likely throwing more often than he did in the blowout win over EKU. Could be the ideal Super-Flex to win GPP’s if you pair him with one of the stud QBs on the slate.
Jeff SimsGT 530019.48810019.48
We didn’t know Sims would start for Georgia Tech until the night before their game last week, but he certainly came through for those that took the chance. Against Florida State, Sims finished with nearly 20 DK points thanks to his 277 passing yards, 64 rushing yards and one TD. The production could’ve been even better if not for his two picks thrown. The price tag remains unchanged for this Week 3 tilt against UCF - and there’s definitely an opportunity for Sims to repeat his performance from a week ago. This game has a high point total (60) and Georgia Tech are 7.5-point dogs - meaning Sims will have the ball in his hands a ton late in the game trying to play catch-up, with tons of passing attempts and scrambles incoming. His price tag and expected production makes him an ideal Super-Flex option in cash games.

Also Consider: 

  • Trevor Lawrence - Clemson ($9,700) 

  • Dillon Gabriel - UCF ($7,400)

  • Clayton Tune - Houston ($7,000)

  • Kenny Pickett - Pittsburgh ($6,600) 

RUNNING BACKS

Running Backs
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Chuba HubbardOKST 850001040030.91
Arguably the best DFS college RB from 2019 is finally back in action this weekend after he chose to forgo the NFL Draft this offseason. Hubbard was basically a weekly lineup lock last year with his 2,094 rushing yards and 21 rushing TDs. Outside a blowout win over McNeese State, the workhorse back averaged 26 carries and 170 rushing yards per game in this high-scoring, uptempo Oklahoma State offense. The Cowboys have Playoff aspirations in 2020 and they’ll get there by leaning on Hubbard and the ground game once again. It begins on Saturday with OK St as three-touchdown favorites over Tulsa, whose defense allowed 185 rush yards per game a year ago. Last year vs. Tulsa, Hubbard racked up a whopping 256 yards and three scores on 32 carries. He was well worth the expensive price tag on every slate in 2019 - and we have no reason to expect otherwise this season. In cash games, lock him in and figure the rest out.
Kyren WilliamsND 840037.51000033.50
 
Otis AndersonUCF 61000780012.93
The high-powered UCF offense is finally back on the slate and the production begins and ends with Otis Anderson as the team’s best playmaker. He can literally do it all as the team’s best rusher, a talented receiver out of the bafield and a touchdown-waiting-to-happen in the return game. Last year, Anderson led the offense in carries (113) and rushing yards (726) even with touches being taken away by the NFL-bound Adrian Killins and two other talented RBs in Greg McCrae and Bentavious Thompson. Both McCrae and Thompson are back, but it’s Anderson who is the unquestioned #1 back for UCF. Plus, Anderson was fourth on the team in receptions last year - making it clear the offense wants to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. He led the team in all-purpose yards per game (107) and the coaching staff has already said they will look to use him even more this time around. This may be the cheapest we see Anderson all year if he starts putting up 100-yard games with multiple scores - and it likely starts this week vs. a Georgia Tech defense that allowed a ton of rushing yards last year (215 per game was 117th of 130 FBS teams in 2019).
Daetrich HarringtonAPPST 510018830018.00
Daetrich Harrington is the name highlighted here, but all three Appalachian State RB’s are in play at their affordable price tags. Harrington, Marcus WIlliams Jr. and Camerun Peoples make up the three-headed App St backfield that’s trying to replace the departed Darrynton Evans. Against Charlotte last week, Williams Jr. ($4,800) ran for a team-high 117 yards and a score on 14 carries while Peoples ($4,600) finished with 102 yards and a score on 13 carries. Even alongside those stat lines, Harrington scored twice and rushed for 60 yards while leading the team in carries (15) a week ago. This backfield is legit a split workload in the run-heavy App St offense and it may be a case of who has the hot hand on a weekly basis. All three could be productive yet again this week in a high-scoring, back-and-forth matchup with Marshall. Harrington gets the slight edge for me, though, because both Williams and Peoples have nagging injuries they are playing through. Plus, both of Harrington’s TDs last game came in the fourth quarter - which says a lot that he was the one to get the work in crunch time.
Cameron CarrollTUL 400014.6770014.60
It’s only one game, but we simply can’t ignore how bad the Navy defense was in the opener. The Midshipmen got trounced by BYU, 55-3, and allowed 301 rushing yards and five rushing TDs in the game. We don’t want to completely overreact, but it’s telling that the Navy defense played that bad and their head coach openly admitted the team hasn’t practiced tackling drills in practice due to COVID concerns. If history repeats itself, the Tulane RBs should have a monster day on the ground and Cameron Carroll is too cheap for what his upside is in this matchup. Tulane basically has a three-headed backfield - as they try to replace last year’s duo of Darius Bradwell and Corey Dauphine - and all three had big games last week. Tyjae Spears had the 105 rushing yards and Amare Jones had a TD - but it was Carroll who scored twice in what was a close three-point win. Last year, Carroll finished with more carries than both Jones and Spears and he could end up with better overall stats this season. At 4k on DK, he’s too cheap for the damage he can do this week.

Also Consider: 

  • Travis Etienne - Clemson ($9,200)

  • Gerrid Doaks - Cincinnati ($7,600)

  • David Bailey - Boston College ($6,900)

  • Marcus Williams Jr. - Appalachian State ($4,800) 

  • Camerun Peoples - Appalachian State ($4,600)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Wide Recievers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Tylan WallaceOKST 77000970018.04
Before his season-ending injury in October last year, Wallace was a DFS stud at the WR position on a weekly basis - and we should fully expect him to return to that level in 2020 as Oklahoma State’s #1 pass-catcher. Over eight games in 2019, Wallace racked up 53 catches for 903 yards and eight TDs - that’s a per-game average of 6.6 receptions, 113 yards and one score. We’ll take that type of production all day, especially when he has the upside to do even more damage. Last year vs. Tulsa, Wallace was right around those averages with a stat line of five catches for 118 yards and a TD. He and the whole Oklahoma St offense should take a step forward with Spencer Sanders in his second season as the starter and Chuba Hubbard back to anchor the running game. This Cowboys offense scores so much and runs enough plays that both Wallace and Hubbard can have big statistical games without taking away from each other - making both safe for cash games and enough upside for GPP.
Tyquan ThorntonBAY 69000820010.41
We mentioned earlier with Charlie Brewer that this Baylor offense is definitely one to target on this slate with the showdown vs. Houston projected for the second-highest total (63) with the Bears only being one score favorites. The matchup for Baylor’s passing attack could not be better as Houston’s pass defense was the seventh-worst of 130 FBS teams last season. It’s a smash-spot for Brewer and his receiving corps - which begins with Tyquan Thornton as the top returning WR from a pass-happy offense that lost its best playmaker (Denzel Mims) to the NFL. Thornton should be Brewer’s #1 target in the passing game as his 45 receptions, 782 yards and five TD are the top returning stats from this Baylor receiving unit. He makes for an ideal pairing with Brewer in cash games - and the combo is actually fairly affordable compared to other top offenses on the slate.
Marquez StevensonUH 65000920017.05
Since the UNC wideouts are off the board, Marquez Stevenson looks a lot better as a pay-up WR on this slate. This Houston-Baylor game will be one to target on both sides of the ball with tons of scoring and offensive possessions expected. Stevenson returns as Houston’s #1 pass-catcher in Dana Holgerson’s Air Raid offense that should take another step forward with QB Clayton Tune entering his first full season as the starter after he took over for the injured D’Eriq King last year. Stevenson has led the Cougars in receptions and receiving yards in both of the last two seasons with 52 catches for 907 yards and nine TDs in 2019 and 75 catches for 1,019 yards and nine scores in 2018. He should also benefit from having deep-threat Keith Corbin back healthy - which will allow Stevenson to see better matchups in the short to intermediate range, making him a PPR beast in this type of high-scoring game. He’s safe for cash and owns a big ceiling for GPP as well.
Taj HarrisSYR 590011.475008.90
Can you imagine if Taj Harris had a decent QB throwing to him? Syracuse’s #1 WR saw a whopping 15 targets in last week’s opener vs. UNC - but he only finished with five receptions for 64 yards. It was still a decent stat line, but there was so much production left on the table considering how often Tommy DeVito looked his way. The high target volume is certainly a good sign - and we could easily see similar opportunities this week with ‘Cuse a big underdog to Pittsburgh. The Orange offense will likely have to pass a ton in the second half - as was the case vs. UNC - and Harris is the main beneficiary of that game flow with DeVito first looking his way. The 10-reception game is coming soon for Harris and he’ll break the slate open when it happens. Could it happen this Saturday? Maybe, that’s why he’s a GPP-only play for now - especially a price tag that’s a little too high for cash.
Gavin HolmesBAYUH5200063000.00
Although Tyquan Thornton (mentioned above) and R.J. Sneed are the top two returning receivers in Baylor’s offense, the third starter at WR is Gavin Holmes - who could be a cheaper way to get exposure to this passing attack. Holmes has lost the past two years due to multiple knee injuries, but he’s reportedly back healthy enough to earn a starting role and take over some extra targets up for grabs with Denzel Mims now gone. Baylor coach Dave Aranda recently touted Holmes in his press conference, by saying that Holmes’ starting role is due to his work ethic, energy level and confidence that’s helped him make enough plays in practice. It’s notable that Holmes was awarded the No. 6 as single-digit uniforms are usually reserved for the team’s top playmakers. It’s tough to fully trust in cash, but he could easily catch a touchdown and rack up the receptions from the inside receiver spot to pay off.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Keith CorbinUHBAY4900071007.50
On the other side of this Baylor-Houston game, we have a few different receivers who are worth paying attention to. Marquez Stevenson ($6,500) is Houston’s #1 WR and he’s definitely in play in what should be a high-scoring, offensive-filled matchup. However, Corbin is a much cheaper avenue to the Cougars’ pass-catchers and he’s a big play waiting to happen. Corbin played in just four games last year before suffering a season-ending injury - but when healthy, he’s a deep threat who can stretch the field with the best in the country. In his full season in 2018, the senior led the team in receiving scores (10) while his 40 receptions and 691 yards were second only to Stevenson. He won’t get the reception volume that Stevenson will see, but Corbin possesses the game-changing speed for QB Clayton Tune to throw downfield and add another dimension to this Houston offense. He’s too cheap right now for what his role will be as the No. 2 receiver and he should easily return value in cash and GPP.
Malachi CarterGT 470018.6810015.60
If we like Jeff Sims as a QB on this slate, we have to look at his receivers as well - and Carter is just too cheap for the stats he is capable of. In last week’s opener, Carter was Tech’s top pass-catcher with his six receptions for 66 yards and a TD. Usually this offense is a run-heavy one with fewer pass attempts than average teams - but Sims looks like he’s more willing to throw the ball than we’re used to. Against Florida State, Sims threw it 35 times compared to 13 rush attempts - this is much different than we’re used to from Tech QB’s. It puts Sims’ pass-catchers squarely in play and especially at these price tags. Carter is very affordable as is the #2 WR Jalen Camp ($4,000). In a game where the Yellow Jackets are 7.5-point dogs to UCF, we’ll likely see more passing attempts than normal with the offense playing catch-up to match the fast-paced offense of Central Florida. Carter (and Camp) should see plenty of targets to return value in cash games.
Braden LenzyND 3800065009.06
Lenzy dressed but was ultimately held out of Notre Dame’s opener last week due to a hamstring injury. All reports indicate he’s good to go this Saturday and the depth chart backs that up with Lenzy listed as a starting WR now that Ben Skowronek is doubtful with his own hamstring injury. These two pieces of news make Lenzy a really attractive cheap WR on this slate and a much more affordable way to get exposure to the Fighting Irish offense. ND is projected to win easily over South Florida this week, but even if it is a blowout we should expect Lenzy to get a decent amount of run alongside QB Ian Book to get him some playing time and prepare for much tougher matchups in the ACC. Notre Dame “only” won by 14 over Duke in the opener, so we have to expect the starters to play longer than usual to ensure some comfortability going forward. There are a ton of targets up for grabs in this offense with both Chase Claypool and Cole Kmet off to the NFL and Chris Finke graduated - so Lenzy returns as the second-leading receiver from last year’s team behind only Javon McKinley. He should be a top target for Book this season and his price is way too cheap right now - probably the cheapest he’ll be all season.
JuanCarlos SantanaTLSA 3000063005.54
Time for our min-price flier of the week (let’s not make this a weekly thing, though). Santana is Tulsa’s third starting WR alongside the two leading returning receivers from last year, Keylon Stokes and Sam Crawford Jr. Both Stoke and Crawford will usually be the first and second passing targets, respectively, for Tulsa QB Zach Smith. However, the third-best WR in the offense still finished with 46 receptions for 568 yards and three TDs in 2019. That’s presumably Santana’s role now that Johnson graduated. In this matchup with Oklahoma State, Santana’s team will be playing from behind nearly the whole game and there should be plenty of passing attempts in the second half for him to return enough value as a starting wideout at this minimum price tag. Tough to trust in cash, but could provide the savings you need in GPP to fit in enough studs.

Also Consider: 

  • Taysir Mack - Pittsburgh ($6,300)

  • R.J. Sneed - Baylor ($6,200)

  • Thomas Hennigan - Appalachian State ($6,000)

  • Broc Thompson - Marshall ($4,900)

  • Jalen Camp - Georgia Tech ($4,000)

EXAMPLE LINEUPS

PLEASE NOTE THESE LINEUPS ARE NOT MEANT FOR PLUG AND PLAY BUT EXAMPLES OF LINEUPS MADE USING THE PLAYBOOK ABOVE

 

DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBCharlie BrewerBAYUH0$8,000
Pivot     
RBChuba HubbardOKSTTLSA0$8,500
Pivot     
RBOtis AndersonUCFGT0$6,100
Pivot     
WRTyquan ThorntonBAYUH0$6,900
Pivot     
WRMarquez StevensonUHBAY0$6,500
PivotR.J. SneedBAYUH0$6,200
WRMalachi CarterGTUCF18.6$4,700
PivotBraden LenzyNDUSF0$3,800
FLEXCameron CarrollTULNAVY14.6$4,000
PivotDaetrich HarringtonAPPSTMRSHL18$5,100
S-FLEXJeff SimsGTUCF19.48$5,300
Pivot    
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBDesmond RidderCINCYAPSU0$8,700
PivotSpencer SandersOKSTTLSA0$7,600
RBKyren WilliamsNDUSF37.5$8,400
Pivot     
RBMarcus Williams Jr.APPSTMRSHL21$4,800
PivotCamerun PeoplesAPPSTMRSHL18.2$4,600
WRTylan WallaceOKSTTLSA0$7,700
Pivot     
WRTaj HarrisSYRPITT11.4$5,900
Pivot     
WRJuanCarlos SantanaTLSAOKST0$3,000
Pivot     
FLEXGavin HolmesBAYUH0$5,200
PivotTaysir MackPITTSYR0$6,300
S-FLEXGrant WellsMRSHLAPPST34.28$6,300
Pivot