Welcome back college football fans & DFS players!! The CFB season is finally underway with an entertaining Week 0 slate this past Saturday. Tonight, a unique Thursday slate will kick off Week 1 in the college landscape - and we have some entertaining matchups on the docket! We’re only focusing on the DraftKings slate of games for this playbook, but feel free to play on FanDuel with the same players below. 

If you’re unfamiliar with how these CFB DFS playbooks usually go, we’ll first outline the slate from a betting perspective to determine which games and teams to target overall. Then we’ll dive into the top plays at quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions. Finally, the core plays at the bottom tell you how to build a winning roster for either cash or GPP contests.

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 Thursday, September 2nd DFS CFB slate! 

THE SLATE (Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook): 

  • 6:30 pm ET -- Temple at Rutgers (-14.5) -- 52.5 O/U - This game has been re-scheduled for Saturday.
  • 7 pm ET -- Boise State at UCF (-5.5) -- 68 O/U
  • 7:30 pm ET -- East Carolina at Appalachian State (-10.5) -- 56.5 O/U
  • 7:30 pm ET -- South Florida at NC State (-19) -- 59 O/U
  • 8 pm ET -- Bowling Green at Tennessee (-35) -- 61 O/U
  • 8 pm ET -- Ohio State (-14) at Minnesota -- 62.5 O/U
  • 10 pm ET -- Eastern Washington at UNLV (-3) -- 66.5 O/U
  • 10:30 pm ET -- Southern Utah at Arizona State (-45) -- 55 O/U

Highest Implied Team Totals (per DK Sportsbook Odds)

  1. Arizona State -- 50 points vs. Southern Utah 
  2. Tennessee -- 48 points vs. Bowling Green
  3. NC State -- 39 points vs. South Florida
  4. Ohio State -- 38.25 points vs. Minnesota
  5. UCF -- 36.75 points vs. Boise State
  6. UNLV -- 34.75 points vs. Eastern Washington
  7. Appalachian State -- 33.5 points vs. East Carolina
  8. Rutgers -- 33.5 points vs. Temple
  9. Eastern Washington -- 31.75 points vs. UNLV
  10. Boise State -- 31.25 points vs. UCF
Quarterbacks
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Dillon GabrielUCFBSU910032.29  
The UCF-Boise State matchup should feature plenty of DFS production and Dillon Gabriel is certainly the headliner from either side. Gabriel threw for 3,570 yards and 32 TD over 10 games last season as one of the more prolific passers in the nation. In recent years, the UCF offense has been very pass happy with the QB taking on heavy attempt volume. That could actually change a little now that Gus Malzahn is running things - but still be good for Gabriel’s fantasy value. Reporters expect Malzahn to let Gabriel use his legs more and use RPOs and motion to stretch the offense. Gabriel “only” ran for 169 yards and two scores last year - but his DFS value would be even greater if he provides a rushing floor to go along with the upside through the air. Either way, expect Gabriel to be popular in cash on this slate as the QB in a fast-paced, high-scoring offense that will likely be in a shootout.
C.J. StroudOSUMINN800010.8  
With Justin Fields gone, it’s C.J. Stroud who’s now the starter for Ohio State after he won the QB battle this summer. Honestly, it’s hard to get a read on Stroud and what we should expect DFS-wise. On the one hand, he’s a former top high school recruit who has a ton of talent around him in what should be a high-scoring Buckeyes offense. Still, he’s no Fields and we don’t know how much rushing upside he brings - or how much the coaching staff will want him to run. Since Stroud has yet to attempt a collegiate pass, OSU could lean on the run more in this opener and ease their new QB into the season. Or they let him turn it loose and he breaks the slate. It makes him risky either way but also popular in all formats because he’s that shiny, new thing everyone wants a piece of.
Devin LearyNCSTUSF680017.08  
Even on a slate with some more well-known teams, the NC State offense cannot go overlooked in an easy matchup vs. South Florida. The Wolfpack offense has been pretty balanced in recent years and should continue that way - but Devin Leary has some clear upside tonight. USF’s defense was questionable last year and won’t be much better in 2021 - as evidenced by Vegas making NC State a nearly three-touchdown favorite with about 40 implied points. Leary was solid in his four games last season with an 8:2 TD:INT ratio and even throwing for 336 yards and four scores in one of those contests. An injury put a halt to the campaign, but he’s back as the starter and has his main receiving core returning. For the price, he could easily return value in cash or GPP.
Hank BachmeierBSUUCF650015.88  
The highest total on this slate is this UCF-Boise matchup, so we’ll want some shares of both offenses. Although Bachmeier wasn’t the strongest last year, he’ll have a talented returning receiving corps at his disposal and may be asked to throw more often tonight to keep pace with UCF. The pairing of Bachmeier and Khalil Shakir is pretty affordable in cash if you want to go that way - as is playing both the Boise QB and the guy he’s facing, Dillon Gabriel, in a game stack of sorts.
Eric BarriereEWUUNLV520030.21  
Are we really considering rostering an FCS QB on the first bigger slate of the season?! Yep, because Barriere is way too cheap considering his upside in a high-total game - let alone as a late-night hammer of sorts. The Eastern Washington gunslinger threw for 2,448 yards and 19 TD over seven games in this past spring season for an average of 350 yards and 2-3 scores per game. Yes, that came against other FCS competition - but the UNLV defense won’t be much better. Vegas is calling for this game to be high-scoring and close with both sides expected to score 30+ points. EWU’s passing game is its strength and it’ll be Barriere staying busy through the air. It’s tough to say whether Barriere will be chalky in cash or not, but he could easily smash value tonight with 20-25 DK points or more.

Also Consider: 

  • Jayden Daniels -- Arizona State ($8,500 DK) -- GPP
  • Joe Milton III -- Tennessee ($8,300 DK) -- GPP
  • Noah Vedral -- Rutgers ($5,900 DK) -- Cash
Running Backs
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Mohamed IbrahimMINNOSU860033.03  
On most other slates, we’d say lock Ibrahim into cash lineups and don’t think twice. However, it’s a risky proposition tonight against an Ohio State defense that could easily make life difficult for the Minnesota bellcow. In GPPs, though, Ibrahim could be lower-owned and smash the slate if he’s going to perform like he did last year. In 2020, he was the epitome of a workhorse RB as he saw at least 20 carries in every game and rushed for 100+ every week as well. By season’s end, Ibrahim averaged 28.7 carries for 153.8 yards and two TDs per game. We’ll take that all day no matter the price tag - but the matchup vs. OSU is a bit scary. Still, we know Minnesota will feed him early and often in this one.
Camerun PeoplesAPPSTECU690017.8  
With Daetrich Harrington out right now, it’s Peoples as the lead RB for App State and he could be busy in this opener. The offense has a new QB under center in Chase Brice and will likely lean on the run here - especially since ECU gave up over 200 rush yards per game last year. Peoples should get plenty of work as the main ball-carrier and he should be popular in cash with an appropriate price tag that isn’t too expensive. He led the team with 1,124 rushing yards and 12 scores last season and could easily crack 100+ yards with multiple scores in this game.
Charles WilliamsUNLVEWU590015.48  
This UNLV-EWU matchup could be sneaky good from a DFS standpoint with both sides projected for 30+ points in a likely offensive shootout. For UNLV, expect Williams to get plenty of work as the lead ball-carrier in an offense that’s still trying to decide on a starting QB. Last year, Williams was a focal point of the offense as he averaged 19.3 carries per game in a shortened schedule. Back in 2019, the guy racked up 1,257 yards and 11 TDs in a full season - which is a good base stat line we can expect from him in 2021. The fact that UNLV has co-starters at QB is definitely a plus for Williams getting a bigger role on offense as their top playmaker. He’ll likely be popular in cash with a very affordable price tag.
Tiyon EvansTENNBGSU56000  
Before we get into Tiyon Evans, let’s first point out that we have no idea how much the Tennessee starters will play in a likely blowout win as 35-point favorites. That being said, Evans presents great value at an affordable price point and he could easily smash on this slate with 100+ all-purpose yards and a TD or two. Evans is listed as a co-starter with Jabari Small - which makes both a bit risky for cash as we don’t know how the workload will shake out. According to reports from camp, though, Evans has been a standout and the coaches have said he’s a more complete back than Small. Since this is an easy matchup, hopefully the Vols give Evans enough work to get ready for tougher games down the line.
Isaiah BowserUCFBSU55006.6  
UCF’s top three rushers from last season - Greg McRae, Otis Anderson and Bentavious Thompson - are all gone. That leaves a ton of carries up for grabs, especially in a Gus Malzahn offense that should feature more runs and RPOs for the Knights than last year. Johnny Richardson is one player who should see more touches, but he’s more of a smaller, speedy back than a traditional early-down ball-carrier. That’s Isaiah Bowser, who won the starting RB job after transferring from Northwestern this past offseason. Bowser will surely rotate with others in the UCF backfield, but it looks like he’ll get the first crack at carries. The price tag is too cheap for a guy who can realistically score twice and crack 100+ yards in what should be a high-scoring matchup - though he’s too risky for cash until we get more clarity on how the touches in this backfield are divided up.
Miyan WilliamsOSUMINN51001.6  
The pricing on this slate tells you that Master Teague is the Buckeyes’ starting RB. However, the beat reporters and media covering the team say differently. The popular opinion is that Miyan Williams will be the lead back this season - even if Teague gets the first crack at carries after being more involved last year. Those covering the team also believe the OSU backfield could be a committee at first with Williams, Teague and freshman TreVeyon Henderson splitting work. If that’s the case, then Teague is hard to trust at his expensive tag. Williams, though, has been getting buzz in camp and could easily be the hot hand in this opening game if he has a couple good runs. Take the discount on Williams all day until we get clarity from this backfield.

Also Consider: 

  • Rachaad White -- Arizona State ($7,000 DK) -- Cash/GPP
  • Master Teague III -- Ohio State ($6,700 DK) -- GPP
  • Johnny Richardson -- UCF ($6,300 DK) -- GPP
  • Zonovan Knight -- NC State ($6,100 DK) -- GPP
  • George Holani -- Boise State ($5,800 DK) -- Cash
  • Jabari Small -- Tennessee ($5,400 DK) -- GPP
  • TreVeyon Henderson -- Ohio State ($3,800 DK) -- GPP
Wide Receivers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jaylon RobinsonUCFBSU860020.69  
With Marlon Williams and Jacob Harris gone from last year’s squad, Robinson is now the clear-cut #1 WR for UCF. He totaled 55 catches for 979 yards and six TDs last year and was a big play waiting to happen. It remains to be seen how pass-happy the Knights offense will be under Gus Malzahn now, but we can expect Robinson to be Gabriel’s top target when they go to the air - especially as a deep ball threat. His price is a little too high to trust in cash, but load him into GPP stacks with Gabriel as the pair could connect on multiple scores.
Khalil ShakirBSUUCF690026.67  
In a game that should be back-and-forth and high-scoring, Shakir’s price tag seems way too low and it should make him chalky in cash games. The Boise State WR had a near-monopoly on the receiving production last year when he put up 52 catches for 719 yards and six receiving TDs over seven games. He had at least six grabs and 85 yards in all but one game in 2020 and should continue to be targeted heavily by QB Hank Bachmeier this season. The Broncos won’t be shy to get Shakir involved as much as possible - as evidenced by his 17 carries for 148 yards last year. Shakir should be priced a lot higher than this and he’ll be worth it as Boise’s top playmaker.
Chris OlaveOSUMINN670025.41  
Both Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave return as Ohio State’s top receivers from last year and both should be studs all season long even with a change at QB. We’ll have to see which one C.J. Stroud favors, but there should be enough production to go around in an offense that will score a ton every week. For the pricing on this slate, though, Olave gets the bump because of the cheaper tag - and he’ll surely be more popular than Wilson for that reason alone. Last year, Olave led the Buckeyes in receptions (50), receiving yards (729) and receiving TDs (7) - though Wilson wasn’t far behind in every category. In this conference matchup vs. Minnesota, expect OSU to lean on Olave and its proven playmakers if it gets close.
Emeka EmezieNCSTUSF650012.86  
Even with multiple QB changes last year, Emezie led the Wolfpack in receptions (47) and receiving yards (738) and should retain that No. 1 WR role in 2021. It’s also worth noting that Emezie led the team in both categories back in 2019 as well when QB Devin Leary was the main signal-caller. Leary is back under center and he’ll likely look Emezie’s way often as his top receiving target. Leary’s best statistical game last season was also Emezie’s best when the two connected for seven catches for 101 yards and two scores. We could easily see a similar stat line in this opener in a soft matchup vs. USF.
Jaxon Smith-NjigbaOSUMINN53002.99  
While Olave and Wilson are the headliners in Ohio State’s WR corps, Smith-Njigba will be the 1C pass-catcher in the offense and could easily have games where he finishes as the highest-scoring DFS option. He’ll be starting in the slot, which has been a very fantasy-friendly position in the Buckeyes’ attack in recent seasons. Though Smith-Njigba totaled just 10 receptions for 49 yards and a TD last year, his role wasn’t nearly as big as it will be in 2021 as the starting slot wideout. In the OSU spring game, the sophomore had five catches for 50 yards and a score - a statline we could easily see regularly from him if opposing secondaries are keying in on Olave/Wilson. It remains to be seen what his floor can be for cash, but he’s worth a shot at a cheap price in GPP.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jadan BlueTEMPRU470020.42  
Though we don’t want too much exposure to the Temple offense on this slate, Jadan Blue is the one-off to look at at an affordable price tag. He’s the top playmaker for the Owls and should be targeted heavily by QB D’Wan Mathis this season. That’ll start tonight as two-score underdogs to Rutgers and surely throwing more often in the second-half. Blue dealt with inconsistent QB play last year but still totaled 41 catches for 371 yards and five TDs over six games. The yardage wasn’t great on a per-game basis, but the PPR floor is definitely there. Blue isn’t far removed from putting up 95 receptions and 1,067 yards back in 2019 when he was one of the top breakout talents in the country. It’s criminal to have him sub-5k with his talent and he could smash value.
Andrew BostonEWUUNLV430022.1  
It seems crazy to say, but rostering one of the EWU receivers could be the key to cashing tonight on DK. This matchup vs. UNLV is expected to be a close, high-scoring contest and it could feature tons of DFS value on both sides - especially with the late-night kickoff. Whether it’s Talolo Limu-Jones ($5000), Freddie Roberson ($4500) or Boston, one or multiple of these cheap Eagles WRs will likely smash value with the offense throwing a bunch in an offensive shootout. For the prices, Boston is the best value. He led EWU in receptions (50) and receiving yards (730) two seasons ago and had a few big games this past spring season. Limu-Jones, Roberson and/or Boston could easily have a few catches and enough yards to come through - and maybe they even score.
Andre JohnsonASUSOUT30002.25  
Any time we have a starting WR at min price, he has to be in consideration. Johnson is listed as a co-starter at the X receiver position alongside Bryan Thompson - yet the price differential between the two is $4300 on DK. It remains to be seen who becomes QB Jayden Daniels’ favorite target this season after Brandon Aiyuk and Frank Darby claimed that distinction the last two years. As a freshman in 2020, Johnson only had one catch for 35 yards - though we can’t take much from that considering ASU only played four games and just one pass-catcher finished with double-digit receptions for the whole season. Johnson has reportedly impressed in camp and could easily pay off this price tag with a couple catches. Maybe he provides shades of his namesake?

Also Consider: 

  • Ryan O’Keefe -- UCF ($7,600 DK) -- GPP/Cash
  • Garrett Wilson -- Ohio State ($7,500 DK) -- GPP
  • Johnny Wilson -- Arizona State ($6,600 DK) -- GPP
  • Bo Melton -- Rutgers ($6,300 DK) -- Cash/GPP
  • Talolo Limu-Jones -- Eastern Washington ($5,000 DK) -- Cash/GPP
  • LV Bunkley-Shelton -- Arizona State ($3,900 DK) -- GPP
  • Jeremy Ruckert -- Ohio State ($3,300 DK) -- Cash

Example Lineups

DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBDillon GabrielUCFBSU32.3$9,100
Pivot     
RBCamerun PeoplesAPPSTECU17.8$6,900
Pivot     
RBCharles WilliamsUNLVEWU15.5$5,900
Pivot     
WRKhalil ShakirBSUUCF26.7$6,900
Pivot     
WRJaden BlueTEMPRU20.4$4,700
Pivot     
WRAndrew BostonEWUUNLV22.1$4,300
Pivot     
FLEXChris OlaveOSUMINN25.4$6,700
PivotIsaiah BowserUCFBSU6.6$5,500
S-FLEXEric BarriereEWUUNLV30.2$5,200
PivotHank BachmeierBSUUCF15.9$6,500
      
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBC.J. StroudOSUMINN10.8$8,000
PivotJayden DanielsASUSOUT24.1$8,500
RBMohamed IbrahimMINNOSU33$8,600
Pivot     
RBTiyon EvansTENNBGSU-$5,600
Pivot     
WRBo MeltonRUTEMP19.8$6,300
Pivot     
WREmeka EmezieNCSTUSF12.9$6,500
Pivot     
WRAndre JohnsonASUSOUT2.3$3,000
PivotLV Bunkley-SheltonASUSOUT5$3,900
FLEXMiyan WilliamsOSUMINN1.6$5,100
PivotTreVeyon HendersonOSUMINN-$3,800
S-FLEXDevin LearyNCSTUSF17.1$6,800
Pivot