Welcome back college football fans! We’re back for another weekend of CFB DFS and we get to add another Power 5 conference to the fun with the SEC beginning its season on Saturday. 

This playbook will focus on the DraftKings early 11-game slate, which includes the matchups listed below. Note that the Notre Dame-Wake Forest 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. We’ll have a night playbook out covering the DK late slate. 

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

THE SLATE (betting odds via DK Sportsbook as of 9/25): 

  • 12 pm ET -- Florida (-13.5) @ Ole Miss -- 57 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Kentucky @ Auburn (-7.5) -- 49.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Kansas State @ Oklahoma (-28) -- 60.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Georgia Tech (-8.5) @ Syracuse -- 52.5 o/u

  • 12 pm ET -- Louisville @ Pittsburgh (-3) -- 55 o/u

  • 3:30 pm ET -- Mississippi State @ LSU (-17) -- 57 o/u

  • 3:30 pm ET -- Texas (-18) @ Texas Tech -- 70 o/u

  • 3:30 pm ET -- West Virginia @ Oklahoma State (-6.5) -- 51.5 o/u

  • 3:30 pm ET -- Army @ Cincinnati (-14) -- 45.5 o/u

  • 4 pm ET -- Duke @ Virginia (-5) -- 45.5 o/u

  • 4 pm ET -- Georgia (-27.5) @ Arkansas -- 53 o/u

QUARTERBACKS

 

Quarterbacks
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Sam EhlingerUTTTU890041.241080038.24
The price is high, but Ehlinger will be worth it this week in the best matchup of the slate. Texas Tech’s pass defense was among the worst in the country last year (308 yards allowed per game was 128th of 130 FBS teams) and this season looks to be more of the same after they gave up 572 passing yards and four TDs through the air to lower-level Houston Baptist in the opener. Every Tech game last season was an offensive shootout and it’s likely the same thing in 2020 - with Vegas agreeing by making this game total the highest on the day. Ehlinger is the type of QB who can definitely exploit this matchup. Last year vs. Tech, he threw for 348 yards and two TDs while rushing for 83 yards and a score as well as the Longhorns put up 49 points. In Texas’ first game, Ehlinger threw for 426 yards and five TDs vs. UTEP - and it’s not out of the question to see him replicate those numbers in another favorable matchup. He’s the most expensive QB for a reason - with the highest floor and ceiling of this main slate - and he’s safe for cash if you can afford him.
Spencer RattlerOUKSU820027.71010027.70
There was a lot of hype for Rattler entering this season as he took over the Oklahoma offense behind a string of talented QBs before him (Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield). The redshirt freshman did not disappoint with his 290 passing yards, four TDs and efficient 82% completion rate in a half of football against an easy opponent in Missouri State in his first game. Obviously the competition gets tougher starting this week, but Kansas State actually lost to Arkansas State in their opener and the KSU defense gave up 330 passing yards and five passing scores in the game. Rattler and the OU offense could be in line for a massive statistical day if we consider how much better they should be than the Arkansas State offense. The price discount compared to Ehlinger will likely make Rattler more popular in cash games as your QB1, and the matchup says that would be a safe play to get the most valuable share of one of the highest-scoring teams of the slate.
Alan BowmanTTUUT700029.3900026.30
This Texas-Texas Tech matchup should be the highest-scoring game on the slate by a big margin and the Tech offense will have plenty of possessions to put up stats too. Bowman quarterbacks a pass-happy, uptempo Red Raiders attack that should still have their fair share of points and yardage despite being three-score underdogs to Texas. With the Tech defense being so bad, the offense will almost definitely be playing from behind in this one - and that game flow is more in Bowman’s favor with more passing attempts likely from a team that’s trailing. In the opener, Bowman put up 430 passing yards on 52 attempts in a shootout with Houston Baptist - and he’ll have to duplicate those numbers (and better) if Tech wants any chance at upsetting Texas. At his price, Bowman is a high-priced Super-Flex cash option who should have a high floor because of the passing volume in this game.
Jeff SimsGTSYR630022.22  
We’re finally seeing Sims’ salary increase, but he’s still a decent bargain and a great Super-Flex option for your cash lineups. Georgia Tech no longer runs the triple-option offense and, instead, Sims headlines a spread attack with much more passing upside than we’re used to from Yellow Jackets’ QBs. Over the first two games, the true freshman dual-threat has been given the green light to throw and run as much as he wants as the top playmaker overall in the offense. He’s attempted at least 34 passes with double-digit carries in both of the first two outings - with 64 and 82 rushing yards in the games, respectively. This combined volume of passing and rushing for a dual-threat is hard to come by and it makes Sims pretty attractive for cash games because of the higher floor than most QBs on the slate. Plus, he gets a favorable matchup against a Syracuse defense that’s been terrible against the pass this year and dating back to last season as well.
K.J. CostelloMSSTLSU59000800012.84
Who’s ready for Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense to crash the SEC this season? Every Washington State starting QB under Leach was DFS gold for us in the past, and we have to expect close to the same from Costello as the starter for Mississippi State. Costello transferred from Stanford, which is pretty ironic considering the Cardinal offense leaned heavily on the run game. Still, he was a three-year starter at Stanford with a career 62.6% completion rate and 49:18 TD:INT ratio. Some experts have said Costello is the most talented QB that Leach has ever had - which is saying something when you consider Gardner Minshew played for him. This matchup vs. LSU is a tough one to project because while the defense was so good last year - they lost a ton of talent to the NFL and to players opting out this offseason. The game could end up being more offensive-filled than usual SEC games and Costello would benefit running the pass-first, fast-paced Miss. St. offense. He’s a great Super-Flex option on this slate and has a huge ceiling for GPP’s.

 

Also Consider

  • Micale Cunningham - Louisville ($8,400)

  • Kyle Trask - Florida ($7,200)

  • Skylar Thompson - Kansas State ($5,700)

  • Terry Wilson - Kentucky ($5,300)

RUNNING BACKS

 

Running Backs
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Chuba HubbardOKSTWVU870016.61020015.60
With Notre Dame and Kyren Williams off the slate, Hubbard is now in a tier of his own at the top of the RB position. The price tag may seem too expensive, but he was worth it more often than not last season because of how much volume he sees. The Oklahoma State offense revolves around getting him touches as much as possible and that may be even more evident this week with QB Spencer Sanders banged up and an otherwise uncertain QB situation for the team - especially after they just barely beat Tulsa last game. In that outing, Hubbard “only” had 93 rushing yards and one TD with the offense struggling - but his 29 total touches is certainly encouraging that he’ll continue to see huge volume. Outside of one blowout win over a non-con opponent last year, Hubbard averaged 26 carries and 170 rushing yards per game in 2019 - and he often found the end zone multiple times a game, scoring 21 TDs over 13 outings. Hubbard will face a West Virginia rush defense that was about middle-of-the-pack last year and it was a matchup that saw Hubbard gain 106 yards on 26 rushes with seven receptions and 88 receiving yards added in. Hubbard didn’t live up to his salary last game - which may have some people avoiding in cash games - but he still boasts the highest floor of any RB in college football right now.
Kylin HillMSSTLSU68000880017.76
Did you know that Hill actually led the SEC in rushing last season with a conference-best 1,350 rushing yards? He was Mississippi State’s workhorse back in 2019 and he could be in line for even more total production this year - whether that’s as a rusher or receiver out of the backfield. The Bulldogs will be running Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense which has been very beneficial for RBs as pass-catchers in recent seasons. At Washington State, starters James Williams had 83 receptions for 613 receiving yards in 2018 and Max Borghi had 86 catches for 597 receiving yards in 2019. Plus, both guys had good rushing numbers because opposing defenses were so focused on the passing attack that running lanes opened up more easily in the fast-paced offense. Since we don’t know for sure what the workload will be for Hill in this new offense, he’s just a GPP option at this price tag - but the upside is there for a big statistical performance as a rusher and receiver in a likely high-scoring matchup with LSU.
T.J. PledgerOUKSU5000084000.70
Pledger was a surprise late-scratch in Oklahoma’s opener but he’s expected back this week. He was slated to be the starting RB coming into the season and that should be the case on Saturday - making him a huge bargain at this depressed price tag. Pledger won the Sooners’ lead back role during camp following the absences of Kennedy Brooks (opt out), Trey Sermon (transfer) and Rhamondre Stevenson (suspension) - and the job should be his once he returns. Last week without Pledger, starter Marcus Major barely did anything (11 carries for 31 yards) and backup Seth McGowan had a good fantasy day in a blowout over Missouri State. We should expect Pledger to be back as the main back against Big 12 competition - and the matchup is a favorable one after Kansas State allowed 159 rushing yards to Arkansas State last week. The price is impossible to ignore here - considering Pledger was $7400 before sitting last game - and he should be popular in cash games as the lead back for one of the best offenses on the slate.
Shaun ShiversAUBUK4400082004.16
This value play is the classic case of early-season mispricing before the team’s depth chart comes out. Shivers is listed as the starting RB (and a team captain) for Auburn over D.J. Williams - and it makes him an instant bargain at this sub-5k salary. The matchup is an average one on paper (Kentucky’s defense was middle-of-the-pack in rush yards allowed in 2019), but the value price tag is certainly hard to ignore for a lead back on a top-10 team favored by a touchdown. Last year, Williams actually out-performed Shivers (84 carries & 400 yards for Williams compared to 55 carries & 286 yards for Shivers) - but the latter won the starting job in camp as Auburn tries to replace last year’s stud RB JaTarvious Whitlow. At this price, he looks really attractive for cash games as your RB2 or FLEX as he should easily return value with solid volume.
Malik DavisUFMISS4200075001.00
Florida has named co-starters at RB on the first depth chart of the season with Malik Davis and Dameon Pierce likely splitting the duties this week. The Gators look like they’ll use a true split backfield (for now) as they try to replace last year’s production from NFL draftee La’Mical Perine. The value here is clearly in the cheaper Davis - and the camp hype tells us he could actually have a better season than Pierce. Davis exploded onto the CFB scene as a true freshman in 2017 but injuries have limited him in recent seasons. Pierce entered camp as the presumed starter, but the fact that Davis has earned the co-starter role proves that he’s been more impressive in practice with game-breaking speed when he’s healthy. Since we don’t truly know how many touches he’ll see in this backfield, Davis is only a GPP option this week - but the upside is there as a nice value in a projected high-scoring matchup with Ole Miss.

 

Also Consider

  • Javian Hawkins - Louisville ($6,700)

  • Zamir White - Georgia ($6,300)

  • Wayne Taulapapa - Virginia ($5,600)

  • Jahmyr Gibbs - Georgia Tech ($5,400)

  • Vincent Davis - Pittsburgh ($5,400)

  • Malik Davis - Florida ($4,200)

WIDE RECEIVERS

 

Wide Recievers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Charleston RamboOUKSU780024950022.00
If you’re playing QB Spencer Rattler on this slate, you’ll probably want to pair him with OU’s top receiver in cash games. With CeeDee Lamb gone, Rambo is now the de facto #1 WR in the Sooners’ offense and he proved it in the opener with his two TD and 80 receiving yards on four catches. The first-teamers only played the first half against Missouri State in the blowout win, but it was clear that Rattler was looking Rambo’s way often and in the red zone - as evidenced by his two TDs (one from 53 yards and the other from 15 yards). He’ll be the top wideout in this offense moving forward and Oklahoma gets a great matchup this week vs. a Kansas State defense that gave up a ton of yards and points to Arkansas State in their first outing.
Joshua MooreUTTTU710027.7850021.70
It’s only one game, but Moore looks like he’ll be one of QB Sam Ehlinger’s top receiving targets this season - especially with Jake Smith still questionable to play. With Smith out in the opener, Moore led the way in the Longhorns’ receiving corps with six catches for 127 yards and a TD. He was clearly a favorite for Ehlinger and the two connected on a long 78-yard TD on the first play from scrimmage. Yes, it was easy competition vs. UTEP - but the matchup against Texas Tech is also a favorable one. Tech had one of the bottom five pass defenses in the nation last year and they just got torched by Houston Baptist through the air to begin this season. The Texas offense is built on its passing strength more so than the running game, and Moore will benefit from being one of Ehlinger’s top targets - much like Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson were last season. Even if Smith returns (which is unlikely), Moore is safe for cash and one of the top spend-up options at WR on this slate - especially in a stack with Ehlinger.
Jordan AddisonPITTUL610016.55830013.05
Addison’s price tag has skyrocketed (from $3500 a week ago) as he’s emerged as Pitt’s top pass-catcher over the first two games. The true freshman has racked up seven receptions in both games to begin the year and he looks like the primary passing target for QB Kenny Pickett. Addison has benefited a ton from Taysir Mack sitting out the first two outings, and his reception volume can’t go unnoticed - especially in a Pitt receiving corps that’s mostly unproven outside of Mack. Until Mack returns - and he’s still questionable to play this week - Addison will continue to be the WR1 on this offense and Pickett’s favorite target. DK has noticed the consistent production too, unfortunately, and his increased price tag makes him a little tougher to roster in cash games. Still, Pitt should have success throwing the ball against a below-average Louisville defense and Addison could easily have 7+ receptions yet again if Mack sits for a third game in a row.
Kyle PittsUFMISS5400077009.84
Despite being a tight end, Pitts actually led Florida in receptions last season (54) and he finished second in receiving yards (649) - trailing only NFL-draftee Van Jefferson. With Jefferson and WR Freddie Swain gone, Pitts becomes the default top target for QB Kyle Trask - who consistently looked towards his tight end in the short and intermediate passing game. In 2019, Pitts totaled four or more catches in nine of 13 games as Trask consistently looked his way as a safety outlet in the short and intermediate passing game. Florida is a two-touchdown favorite in a game with one of the higher totals of the slate - and Pitts is really affordable in cash games with a high floor due to his reception volume. The upside isn’t huge because of the usually lower output in yards and TDs - but if you’re looking for 3-5 catches and about 15 DK points in this price range then Pitts is the man.
Dez FitzpatrickULPITT540019.2810014.95
Maybe DraftKings knows something, but it’s really odd to see Fitzpatrick at this price point after he was $6200 last week. All he did in that game was put up seven receptions for 74 yards - and the game before saw him finish with 24 DK points with his 110 yards and a TD. The matchup vs. Pitt is admittedly a tougher one than the first two weeks, but Fitzpatrick is still the #2 WR in this Louisville offense behind Tutu Atwell and a top target for QB Micale Cunningham. The game overall will surely be a competitive one (with Pitt as small favorites) and Fitzpatrick will be needed to make plays for Louisville to win. At this price, he’s a really affordable GPP option who could easily return value - and then be back above 6k next week.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
KeSean CarterTTUUT430021.6720018.60
Again, this Texas-Texas Tech matchup is the one to target this week with the highest total on the board and tons of fantasy-relevant players on both sides. Carter represents a very cheap way to get exposure to a Tech offense that will likely be throwing a ton in this game while trailing early and often to the better Longhorns squad. This is how most Tech games went last year with such a bad defense - an offensive shootout with DFS points abound from both sides - and we should see the same thing against Texas. In the opener, Carter finished with six receptions for 86 yards and a score and also had one carry for 10 yards - good for 21.6 DK points. Those seven touches trailed only T.J. Vasher in the receiving corps and it’s clear the offense and QB Alan Bowman will be looking to get his top playmakers as many touches as possible. That’s Carter and Vasher right now and this may be the cheapest we see Carter all season if he explodes for a second big performance in a row.
Brenden SchoolerUTTTU380014.5630013.50
Outside of Joshua Moore, picking the right secondary Texas receiver could be the key to this slate. We know the Longhorns and QB Sam Ehlinger love to throw the ball and the matchup is the best of the slate against a Texas Tech defense that’s bad vs. the pass. Reports say Schooler will start in the slot this week with Jake Smith out for a second straight game. With Smith out last week, Jordan Whittington got the start - but he will be out too for the next few games. It leaves Schooler as a very cheap way to get exposure to the Texas offense - and at a favorable position since Ehligner loves targeting the slot receivers on passes. In the opening game, Schooler had just two catches for 65 yards - but one of those receptions was a 40-yard TD from Ehlinger to his new slot wideout. The grad transfer from Oregon may end up fairly chalky if people are turned in to the recent report of Smith being out - and he’s a great salary-saver in cash games on this slate.
Tyrell ShaversMSSTLSU3400073003.70
To be honest, this Mississippi State receiving corps is a total guessing game right now until we get a week or two of sample size. For starters, Mike Leach is bringing the Air Raid offense to a Bulldogs team that was more run-heavy last season and has so many unproven WRs. Plus, Leach has already said that he will rotate in eight different receivers this week to see who stands out. As it stands, though, there’s some clear value to be had with these underpriced WRs with how many passing attempts will come from QB KJ Costello. Shavers, JaVonta Payton ($4000) and Austin Williams ($3300) are listed as starters at three WR spots while Halik Heath ($3000) and Cameron Gardner ($3000) are co-starters at the fourth WR spot. Plus, Leach has said that Osirus Mitchell ($5200) could’ve been a co-starter alongside Shavers at his Z-receiver position. So literally any of these guys could end up being Costello’s favorite target and whoever it is will win a GPP somewhere. Shavers is intriguing, though, because he’s a grad transfer from Alabama who sat behind all of the Tide’s talent in recent years - but he’s earned a starting role in camp and will be playing the Z WR role that produced some DFS studs in the past from Washington State. Again, it’s a total guessing game though and we’ll revisit this in a week or two for more sure things for cash games.

 

Also Consider

  • Tutu Atwell - Louisville ($7,500)

  • Terrace Marshall Jr. - LSU ($7,000)

  • Tylan Wallace - Oklahoma State ($6,900)

  • Tarik Black - Texas ($6,200)

  • Marvin Mins - Oklahoma ($4,900)

  • Cade Brewer - Texas ($4,100)

  • Theo Howard - Oklahoma ($3,800)

EXAMPLE LINEUPS
Please note these lineups are not meant for plug and play but examples of lineups created using the playbook content above
DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBSpencer RattlerOUKSU27.7$8,200
PivotSam EhlingerUTTTU41.24$8,900
RBChuba HubbardOKSTWVU16.6$8,700
Pivot     
RBT.J. PledgerOUKSU0$5,000
Pivot     
WRCharleston RamboOUKSU24$7,800
PivotJoshua MooreUTTTU27.7$7,100
WRBrenden SchoolerUTTTU14.5$3,800
Pivot     
WRKyle PittsUFMISS0$5,400
Pivot     
FLEXShaun ShiversAUBUK0$4,400
Pivot     
S-FLEXJeff SimsGTSYR22.22$6,300
Pivot     
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBSam EhlingerUTTTU41.24$8,900
Pivot     
RBKylin HillMSSTLSU0$6,800
Pivot     
RBMalik DavisUFMISS0$4,200
Pivot     
WRJoshua MooreUTTTU27.7$7,100
Pivot     
WRTyrell ShaversMSSTLSU0$3,400
Pivot     
WRJordan AddisonPITTUL16.55$6,100
PivotTylan WallaceOKSTWVU13.4$6,900
FLEXTutu AtwellULPITT24.6$7,500
PivotJavian HawkinsULPITT20.35$6,700
S-FLEXK.J. CostelloMSSTLSU0$5,900
Pivot