Welcome back college football fans! We’re back for another weekend of CFB DFS with Saturday’s 13-game DraftKings main slate kicking off at 12 pm ET. Note that this playbook focuses on the early main slate of DK, but FanDuel has a few different slates that include just the early games, just the afternoon ones and an all-day slate with night games. We’ll have a night playbook out too that covers the DK 6-game night slate. The plays included here also apply to the FD slates, but just keep in mind this playbook focuses on DK strategy. 

 

Hit me up in the CFB FA chat and I’ll answer any lineup questions for either site! Good luck! 

 

THE SLATE (betting odds via DK Sportsbook as of 10/2): 

12 pm ET -- South Carolina @ Florida (-18) -- 57.5 o/u

12 pm ET -- TCU @ Texas (-12) -- 63 o/u

12 pm ET -- Missouri @ Tennessee (-12.5) -- 48.5 o/u

12 pm ET -- NC State @ Pittsburgh (-14) -- 47 o/u

12 pm ET -- Baylor (-2.5) @ West Virginia -- 53.5 o/u

3:30 pm ET -- Texas A&M @ Alabama (-17.5) -- 52.5 o/u

3:30 pm ET -- North Carolina (-13.5) @ Boston College -- 54 o/u

3:30 pm ET -- Oklahoma State (-21.5) @ Kansas -- 54 o/u

3:30 pm ET -- Texas Tech @ Kansas State (-2.5) -- 64 o/u

3:30 pm ET -- South Florida @ Cincinnati (-21) -- 46 o/u

3:30 pm ET -- Memphis (-2) @ SMU -- 74.5 o/u

4 pm ET -- Virginia Tech (-12) @ Duke -- 54 o/u

4 pm ET -- Ole Miss @ Kentucky (-6) -- 61.5 o/u

 

Highest Team Totals (per DK Sportsbook Odds)

Memphis -- 38.25 points @ SMU

Florida -- 37.75 points vs. South Carolina

Oklahoma State -- 37.75 points @ Kansas

Texas -- 37.5 points vs. TCU

SMU -- 36.25 points vs. Memphis

Alabama -- 35 points vs. Texas A&M

North Carolina -- 33.75 points @ Boston College

Kentucky -- 33.75 points vs. Ole Miss

Cincinnati -- 33.5 points vs. South Florida

Kansas State -- 33.25 points vs. Texas Tech

Virginia Tech -- 33 points @ Duke

 

QUARTERBACKS

 

Quarterbacks
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Shane BuecheleSMUMEM920025.06  
This SMU-Memphis matchup is definitely one to target overall on this slate with Vegas projecting 70+ points and a one-score game - by far the highest-scoring, back-and-forth game on the schedule this weekend. There will clearly be plenty of offensive possessions and points scored from both sides in this one, and Buechele needs to be strongly considered in all formats for the simple reason that he’ll be quarterbacking one of the teams. The price tag is obviously expensive - and that likely makes him a better GPP option with Sam Ehlinger and a couple other high-priced QBs who will be more popular in cash games. Still, Buechele’s ceiling is massive as he’ll be a huge reason why this game becomes high-scoring (at least from SMU’s side of things). Earlier this season vs. North Texas, he showed us exactly what that ceiling can be when he finished with 42.7 DK points with his 344 passing yards, four passing TDs and one rushing score. That matchup was also a high-scoring one with SMU winning 65-35. We could easily see SMU score 50+ points this week and Buechele’s passing prowess will have a lot to do with that.
Sam EhlingerUTTCU880042.81  
Who else benefited from Ehlinger’s six total touchdowns and 44.4 DK points in last week’s shootout with Texas Tech? He was close to a must-own in cash games (even if he needed a late 4th quarter/OT scoring surge to get there). Ehlinger has now thrown 10 TDs and ran for another over the first two games as it’s clear this Texas offense will continue to lean on his passing and playmaking talent. He should have no problem continuing his Heisman-level play in this high-scoring matchup with TCU, whose defense allowed 37 points to Iowa State a week ago. Last year vs. TCU, Ehlinger threw for 321 yards and two TDs with 43 rushing yards - but his four picks were the reason why Texas lost. We should expect him to bounce back - especially with how bad the ‘Horns defense looks - and Ehlinger will likely be throwing (or running) enough to be safe for cash games. Because of his early season hot streak, he will likely be popular in cash but there are better options for GPP.
Kyle TraskUFSCAR840043.84  
The Gators’ QB went off for six passing TDs last week and his salary has ballooned up from $7200 to $8400 now. The huge price increase is a slight overreaction from DK - and it makes him a GPP-centric play this week until we see if that passing explosion is a regular occurence. Although Florida will be one of the highest-scoring teams on this slate, it’s reasonable to expect some regression from Trask’s 43.8 DK points a week ago. Still, the upside is surely there as the Gators offense will continue to be pass-heavy with Trask having a slew of receivers to spread the ball around. He’ll face a South Carolina defense that allowed 259 passing yards and a TD to Tennessee’s QB a week ago and was middle-of-the-pack in pass defense last season. Again, the expensive price tag makes him a GPP play with some safer, more proven options in this higher price range.
Skylar ThompsonKSUTTU650029.21  
We love our dual-threat QBs when it comes to CFB DFS - and Thompson is one of the best on this slate. He makes for a really good Super-Flex option in cash games in a high-scoring matchup with Texas Tech. Last week, Thompson gave DFS owners nearly 40 DK points in K-State’s upset over Oklahoma thanks to his best-of-both-worlds performance of 334 passing yards and a score to go along with three rushing TDs. The Wildcats’ offense is pretty balanced, but Thompson’s DFS floor is raised because he’s basically the goal-line back. He’ll now get a very favorable matchup vs. a Texas Tech defense that’s given up 417 passing yards per game over their first two outings - a year after being the nation’s third-worst pass defense in 2019. The Kansas St defense isn’t too much better, so this game will likely be offensive-filled with tons of chances for Thompson to put up stats at a value price tag.
Max DugganTCUUT580021.74  
The best value Super-Flex QB option on the slate is Duggan, who is in play for either cash or GPP contests this week. Duggan didn’t start last week’s game because of an injury, but he came on after halftime and ended up with some really good stats despite only playing two quarters. Against Iowa State, Duggan went 16-for-19 for 241 yards, three TDs and one pick as he nearly led TCU to a comeback win. Duggan’s head coach has said that he held out his starter in the first half because of injury concerns - but that shouldn’t be an issue for this week. The matchup on Saturday should be a favorable one after Texas’ defense just allowed 56 points and five passing scores to Texas Tech a week ago. Duggan will likely have to play catch-up in this game and there should be plenty of passing attempts for him to exceed his value at this cheap price tag in all formats.

 

Also Consider: 

Brady White - Memphis ($8,200) - GPP

Sam Howell - North Carolina ($8,000) - Cash

Alan Bowman - Texas Tech ($7,600) - Cash

Terry Wilson - Kentucky ($7,400) - GPP

Kenny Pickett - Pittsburgh ($6,100) - Cash

 

RUNNING BACKS

 

Running Backs
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Chuba HubbardOKSTKU890017.85  
Usually Hubbard is a cash game lock for us, but he’s only a GPP play this week at this expensive price tag. The encouraging thing for Hubbard is that he’s seeing his normal high volume of touches to start the season - with 29 and 22 touches over the first two games, respectively. However, the production has not been as good as we’ve come to expect from arguably the best RB in the country. Over the first two outings, Hubbard is “only” averaging 4.0 yards per carry - compared to his 6.4 ypc average from 2019. Plus, backup LD Brown is seeing a lot more usage behind Hubbard in the early goings - and he’s looked really good in that relief role. Brown ($4,000) has 20 carries, 166 yards and a 8.3 ypc average over the first two games combined and he’s actually a solid value play on this slate if we assume that usage continues. Hubbard has likely struggled more because dual-threat QB Spencer Sanders is banged up, so if Sanders returns this week then we could see a massive game from Hubbard. He’s the perfect high-upside GPP play, but tough to pay up for in cash right now until we see him back to his weekly stud production.
SaRodorick ThompsonTTUKSU710030.7  
The expensive end of the RB position on this slate is admittedly tough to trust fully for cash games as you can make a decent case for and against all of the RBs priced 7k and above. Thompson, though, has been the unquestioned lead back for a Texas Tech offense that plays fast and scores a ton of points. Although the Tech attack is fairly pass heavy, Thompson still has seen a decent-sized workload over the first two games. He’s rushed for 100+ yards and two scores on at least 19 touches in both outings so far - and his three receptions in each game is a good sign that he’s involved in the high-volume passing side of the offense. Thompson will face a Kansas St rush defense that gave up 159 yards to Arkansas State and 130 yards to Oklahoma over the first two games, respectively. If we get another high-usage game from Thompson for 20-30 DK points again, he’s a great cash play at this price tag in what will be a high-scoring game.
Rodrigues ClarkMEMSMU670019.5  
First and foremost, the game to target on this slate is the SMU-Memphis matchup. But while most people will be focusing on the passing game, the RBs on both sides are worth strong consideration too. Rodrigues Clark is now the lead back for Memphis after Kenneth Gainwell opted out before the season and both Antonio Gibson and Patrick Taylor are no longer there. In the opener, Clark saw 20 carries for 105 yards and a TD as he got more touches and was more productive with them than backup Kylan Watkins. The high-scoring, uptempo matchup with SMU will be beneficial for virtually all key offensive players in the game - but Clark especially as the lead back for a Memphis offense that uses a pretty even split between the running and passing games. Plus, SMU’s rush defense has allowed three different RBs to rush for 95 yards or more in their first three games. He’s a good play for cash and the upside is definitely there for GPP if he’s getting goal-line carries in this points-filled game.
Vincent DavisPITTNCST470013.33  
There aren’t many mid-priced RBs to trust in cash this week, but Vincent Davis could be one of them. Davis began the year as the backup to A.J. Davis, but he’s now emerged as the starting RB for Pitt and his price doesn’t reflect that role yet. In the last two games, he’s seen 19 and 18 touches, respectively, and this increase in workload gives him a solid floor as the offense’s lead back. He’ll likely see even more work this week with A.J. Davis dealing with an injury that forced him out early of the last outing. Whether or not A.J. suits up this Saturday, Vincent has earned the lion’s share of touches in this backfield and the matchup is a favorable one. NC State’s rush defense has allowed 231 rushing yards per game over their first two matchups - including 131 yards and three scores to Wake Forest’s lead back and 104 and a TD to Virginia Tech’s starter. He’s a frange cash play and a solid GPP option with the upside in this matchup at such an affordable price.
Malik DavisUFSCAR390011.2  
We suggested Malik Davis last week when he was $4,200 and he was actually solid (price tag considering) with 11.2 DK points. In Florida’s opener, he had 10 touches (seven rushes, three catches) for 82 total yards and he had a better overall game than co-starter Dameon Pierce. Davis and Pierce were used pretty equally in terms of touches out of the Gators’ backfield - but Davis was more productive with his usage and he’s the better pass-catching option. There’s no reason for Pierce to be $1,400 more expensive than Davis right now - and we should strongly consider taking the discount for a second straight week in all formats. Florida is projected to be one of the highest-scoring teams on the slate (next to Memphis) and getting this cheap of a share of that offense looks really attractive - especially with not too many value plays across the board and tons of studs we want to lock in.

 

Also Consider: 

Najee Harris - Alabama ($9,000) - GPP

Leddie Brown - West Virginia ($7,300) - GPP

Khalil Herbert - Virginia Tech ($6,600) - Cash

Deuce Vaughn - Kansas State ($6,200) - GPP

Ulysses Bentley IV - SMU ($5,900) - GPP

John Lovett - Baylor ($5,400) - Cash

LD Brown - Oklahoma State ($4,000) - Cash/GPP

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Wide Recievers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Reggie Roberson Jr.SMUMEM810020.37  
As mentioned, the SMU offense is clearly one to target as this matchup vs. Memphis boasts the highest over/under on the slate by a big margin. In terms of SMU’s receiving corps, there are plenty of options that you can play in all formats. Roberson is the #1 receiver, though, and he’s definitely worth consideration for GPP and cash games because of his combo of DFS floor and ceiling. His upside was well on display two games ago when he went off for nine receptions, 103 yards and two TDs in a high-scoring affair with North Texas. We could even see more targets for him this time around in what should be a tighter ballgame vs. a ranked Memphis team. He could end up pretty popular in cash too because of people wanting to target this game. As for SMU’s other pass-catchers, Rashee Rice ($5900) is a great option as well as the #2 receiver who’s gone over 100 yards in two of three games. Danny Gray ($5100) is a good GPP play because he could easily 5x his price tag if he finds the end zone once or twice.
Kyle PittsUFSCAR730052  
Well, we told you Kyle Pitts was a great cash game play last week because he’d be a near-guarantee for 5-6 catches as the Gators’ top pass-catcher this season. No way did we expect four TDs from the Florida tight end - and DK has responded accordingly by pricing him amongst the top-tier receivers. This huge price increase (from $5400 a week ago) unfortunately makes him a GPP-only play this Saturday. We obviously can’t expect his 52 DK points again, but he should provide 20+ as QB Kyle Trask’s top passing target. As noted with Trask above, we need one or two more games of sample size to see if the huge passing numbers are for real for Florida or it was just a one-week explosion before the DFS floor lowers significantly. The sharp players won’t be paying up for Pitts this week, which makes him a great GPP play if he does go out and catch two more scores with 100+ receiving yards.
Joshua MooreUTTCU700029  
Through the first two games, Joshua Moore has proven to be Sam Ehlinger’s top target in the Texas receiving corps and he’ll likely be in that role for a third straight outing. The two have been a great pairing in all formats thus far - especially last week when they connected for three TDs. Yes, two of those scores came late in the 4th quarter and then in OT, but he still came through for those of us who rostered him as a crucial piece to doubling up in cash games. Texas will benefit from having starting slot WR Jake Smith back healthy, but Moore is the top outside receiver for Ehlinger and he’s the biggest deep-ball threat currently. Again, Moore is a great cash game WR again this week as he’s put up 27+ DK points in both games this year as the Longhorns’ #1 receiver. His floor will remain high with how much the Texas offense throws it and he’ll no doubt be targeted heavily by Ehlinger.
Elijah MooreMISSUK690035.7  
There are a ton of GPP WRs in the 6k price range this week and they are headlined by Ole Miss stud Elijah Moore. In the opener last week, Moore had a slate-breaking performance with his 10 receptions for 227 yards for 35.7 DK points. Believe it or not, there’s actually room for improvement here as he failed to get into the end zone despite the Rebels scoring 35 points vs. Florida. It’s clear that head coach Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss offense want to get the ball into Moore’s hands as much as possible and that will likely happen again this week. The matchup vs. Kentucky seems like a tough one, but then again the Florida matchup a week ago was supposed to be tough as well. Still, his ceiling is as high as any pass-catcher on this slate. Other 6k-range WRs to strongly consider for GPP’s are South Carolina’s Shi Smith ($6400), OK St’s Tylan Wallace ($6500), UNC’s Dyami Brown ($6500) and Alabama’s DeVonta Smith ($6800).
Jordan AddisonPITTNCST590017.93  
One week of production is one thing, two weeks is another - but three straight games of Addison proving his DFS value is certainly encouraging and makes him an immediately strong consideration for cash games. The true freshman has truly emerged as Pitt’s #1 receiver through the first three games as he’s recorded seven receptions in all three outings and has now caught a TD in two straight. The floor is undeniable - making him a solid play in cash games once again this week - and it’s a good sign that he still had seven receptions for 77 yards and a score with fellow wideout Taysir Mack back healthy last game. Maybe we see his reception and target volume start to diminish with Mack getting healthier as the season goes on, but it’s clear that Pitt QB Kenny Pickett is comfortable throwing to his young receiver. It’s also encouraging that Addison’s total yardage has increased in each of his three games - and last week could’ve been even better if not for dropping a long bomb. The matchup this weekend is a good one, too, as NC State has allowed at least 42 points in each of its first two games. Addison is a safe cash game play until we see otherwise.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jake SmithUTTCU55000  
Last week, we told you to play Brendan Schooler as a cheap cash play at $3800 and he responded with a solid 18.8 DK points with his seven receptions, 58 yards and a TD. As much as we’d like to suggest him again, it’s Jake Smith who is the cheaper cash play from the Longhorns’ receiving corps this week. Smith is finally expected to make his season debut after missing the first couple games - and he’ll move right into his starting slot WR spot over Schooler. The slot receiver in this Texas offense has been a great source of DFS production with Ehlinger under center because he loves targeting the underneath and short-yardage guys for quick-strike completions. Devin Duvernay had a huge year in 2019 from the slot and Schooler was a stud last week in that role. At this price tag, Smith could be a great cash play if we can pencil in 6-7 catches and likely even more production than Schooler provided because he’s frankly just a better player.
Hunter LongBCUNC500022.7  
Before you dismiss playing a Boston College player on this slate, just consider what Hunter Long has done so far this season. The BC tight end had seven catches, 93 yards and a TD for 22.3 DK points vs. Duke in the opener - then he followed up with nine receptions, 81 yards and a TD for 23.1 DK points last week. It’s two straight games where Long has been a high-floor pass-catcher in the Eagles offense - and there’s a good chance that continues this week with BC likely playing from behind against UNC. Outside of Long and top wideout Zay Flowers, BC does not have any other proven receivers right now and it’s clear QB Phil Jurkovec is comfortable targeting his tight end often and in the red zone. Don’t look now, but Long might actually be one of the safest cash plays this weekend as we’ll take 20+ DK points at 5k all day long.
KeSean CarterTTUKSU500024.15  
With how fast the Texas Tech offense plays and how often they like to throw it, these Red Raiders receivers will always be in play - especially while their defense is one of the worst in the country, forcing the offense to keep chucking it. Carter is still a very affordable play at this price tag as he’s one of the top playmakers in the Tech offense. He gave DFS owners 26.7 DK points last week with his seven receptions, 77 yards and two TDs - which followed up his 21.6 DK points in the opener with a solid stat line of six catches, 86 yards and a score. With how often QB Alan Bowman throws it, Carter is able to be plenty productive even when Tech’s top two receivers (Vasher & Ezukanma) are also having good games. It happened last week and it could easily happen this week in a high-scoring affair with Kansas State, whose defense has been pretty forgiving this season.
Sean DykesMEMSMU500038.7  
Although Damonte Coxie ($8300) is the top receiver to target from Memphis’ offense, Dykes is an interesting cheaper option to still get exposure to his high-scoring matchup without paying all the way up. Dykes is the Tigers’ starting tight end and he exploded in the opener with his 10 receptions, 137 yards and two scores. It was a breakout performance for someone who looks poised to become the second-best pass-catcher in the Memphis offense. Whether he exceeds his value two games in a row remains to be seen - but what we do know is that outside of Coxie, this offense is playing without its 2nd-5th best receivers from last season and there are targets, yards and TDs to claim from someone other than Coxie. In the first game, it looks like it’s Dykes - but we’ll need to see it for a second time to trust him in cash games. In GPP, though, he’s a great cheap way to have exposure to his massive over/under at only 5k.
Kwamie Lassiter IIKUOKST430015.9  
Last week, we suggested Lassiter as a cheap WR play because of his expected role in the Kansas offense with starter Shane Robinson banged-up. At $3900, he gave us a decent 12.5 DK points with his six receptions and 65 yards - numbers that actually led all Jayhawks receivers. Well, we’re going right back to the well this week with Lassiter still a great bargain at sub-5k. He’s now had at least five grabs and 60+ yards in both games this year and he’ll likely see plenty of targets once again this weekend with Kansas being three-touchdown underdogs to Oklahoma State and the KU offense passing often in the second half to play catch-up. He’s a solid cash play at this price tag until he’s more expensive.

Also Consider: 

Damonte Coxie - Memphis ($8,300) - GPP

Reggie Roberson Jr. - SMU ($8,100) - Cash/GPP

DeVonta Smith - Alabama ($6,800) - GPP

Dyami Brown - North Carolina ($6,500) - Cash/GPP

Taye Barber - TCU ($5,700) - Cash/GPP

Winston Wright Jr. - West Virginia ($4,700) - Cash

Brennan Eagles - Texas ($4,500) - Cash/GPP

 

Example Lineups

Please note these lineups are not meant for plug and play but to be used as an example of lineups created using the playbook above.

 

DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBSam EhlingerUTTCU42.8$8,800
Pivot     
RBSaRodorick ThompsonTTUKSU30.7$7,100
Pivot     
RBRodrigues ClarkMEMSMU19.5$6,700
Pivot     
WRJoshua MooreUTTCU29$7,000
Pivot     
WRHunter LongBCUNC22.7$5,000
PivotJake SmithUTTCU0$5,500
WRKeSean CarterTTUKSU24.2$5,000
Pivot     
FLEXMalik DavisUFSCAR11.2$3,900
Pivot     
S-FLEXSkylar ThompsonKSUTTU29.2$6,500
PivotMax DugganTCUUT21.7$5,800
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBShane BuecheleSMUMEM25.1$9,200
Pivot     
RBChuba HubbardOKSTKU17.9$8,900
PivotNajee HarrisBAMATA&M30.6$9,000
RBVincent DavisPITTNCST13.3$4,700
PivotLD BrownOKSTKU12.8$4,000
WRJordan AddisonPITTNCST17.9$5,900
PivotDeVonta SmithBAMATA&M15.7$6,800
WRSean DykesMEMSMU38.7$5,000
Pivot     
WRKwamie Lassiter IIKUOKST15.9$4,300
Pivot     
FLEXRashee RiceSMUMEM14.3$5,900
Pivot     
S-FLEXMax DugganTCUUT21.7$5,800
Pivot