Welcome back college football fans & DFS players!! The CFB season is finally underway with Week 1 in full swing. Thursday and Friday night brought some entertaining slates - but Saturdays are king and boy, do we have some heavy hitters on this main slate! 

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 example lineups at the bottom tell you how to build a winning roster for either cash or GPP contests.

Before we dive in, a quick note that 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 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 main early afternoon DFS CFB slate for September 4th! 

THE SLATE (Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook): 

12 pm ET -- Stanford at Kansas State (-3) -- 53 O/U

12 pm ET -- Tulane at Oklahoma (-31) -- 68.5 O/U

12 pm ET -- Western Michigan at Michigan (-17) -- 67 O/U

12 pm ET -- Penn State at Wisconsin (-5.5) -- 50 O/U

2 pm ET -- Fresno State at Oregon (-20.5) -- 64 O/U

3:30 pm ET -- Alabama (-18.5) at Miami FL -- 61 O/U

3:30 pm ET -- Miami OH at Cincinnati (-23) -- 50.5 O/U

3:30 pm ET -- Marshall (-2.5) at Navy -- 47.5 O/U

3:30 pm ET -- Indiana at Iowa (-3.5) -- 46 O/U

3:30 pm ET -- West Virginia (-3) at Maryland -- 57 O/U

4 pm ET -- Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State (-23) -- 52.5 O/U

4:30 pm ET -- Northern Iowa at Iowa State (-31.5) -- 52 O/U

4:30 pm ET -- Louisiana-Lafayette at Texas (-8) -- 58 O/U

Highest Implied Team Totals (per DK Sportsbook Odds)

Oklahoma -- 49.75 points vs. Tulane

Oregon -- 42.25 points vs. Fresno State

Michigan -- 42 points vs. Western Michigan

Iowa State -- 41.75 points vs. Northern Iowa

Alabama -- 39.75 points vs. Miami FL

Mississippi State -- 37.75 points vs. Louisiana Tech

Cincinnati -- 36.75 points vs. Miami OH

Texas -- 33 points vs. Louisiana

West Virginia -- 30 points vs. Maryland

QUARTERBACKS

Quarterbacks
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Spencer RattlerOUTUL970026.57  
Not surprising to see Spencer Rattler as the highest-priced QB on the slate, after all he is the preseason Heisman favorite. The OU offense is projected to score the most on this slate according to those Vegas implied totals - and Rattler will surely be a big part of that offensive production. Last year over 11 games, he threw for 3,031 yards with a 28:7 TD:INT ratio as the Sooners boasted the sixth-highest scoring offense in the country. The unit should again be one of the nation’s best and Rattler has the potential to put up 300+ yards and 3-4 TDs through the air - even in blowouts like tonight. However, there is a risk that OU will rest Rattler and/or rely on the run game when this one is in hand in the second-half. Still, he’s a strong play in all formats - just factor the risk into your thought process.
Desmond RidderCINCYMIAOH920030.1  
Ridder was one of the top DFS college QBs last year and he’ll surely be the same this season as a dual-threat playmaker in the Cincy offense. In 10 games in 2020, he threw for 2,296 yards and 19 TDs while also adding 592 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground. He was far-and-away the top TD producer on this team and will be even more important on the ground this year with RB Gerrid Doaks gone. As with Rattler above, the elite upside is always there for Ridder but there’s definitely blowout risk tonight in a game that Cincy is expected to win by three touchdowns or more. In cash, it’s Ridder over Rattler for the slight savings and higher floor with the rushing.
Bryce YoungBAMAMIA89000.85  
By now you’ve heard of Bryce Young, the guy who sat behind Mac Jones all last season and now gets his chance to lead the Alabama offense. He’s a preseason Heisman contender who’s expected to be one of the most exciting talents in the nation this year - and it all starts tonight in a ranked matchup vs. Miami. It’s tough to get a good read on Young, who barely played last year and totaled only 22 pass attempts in garbage-time action. Still, there’s a ton of talent around him and Bama’s offense should feature his arm first and foremost. We probably don’t have to worry about Young getting benched in a blowout tonight, either, which can give him even more upside than Rattler for GPP's.
Brock PurdyISUUNI790021.18  
When the Iowa State offense is at its best, both Brock Purdy and Breece Hall are able to have great statistical games when the run and passing attack are clicking. That should easily happen in a soft matchup here vs. Northern Iowa. Maybe the Cyclones don’t pass as much in the second half with the game in hand - and maybe Purdy already has 300+ yards and multiple TDs by then too. Plus, he offers a little upside on the ground as he totaled 382 rushing yards and five rush TDs last season. The price tag may seem expensive, but Purdy has the talent to return value for cash.
D'Eriq KingMIABAMA740026.53  
Every college football fan should be happy that we get to watch D’Eriq King play in Week 1 following his unfortunate ACL tear last December in a bowl game. One of the nation’s most electric dual-threat QBs made a speedy recovery and is reportedly a full-go for this opener vs. Alabama. Obviously the matchup is a tough one, but King will again be a DFS stud this season and it all starts here. He’s the headliner in the Miami offense with both his arm and legs and the ‘Canes will need him to do a bit of everything if they wish to pull out the upset. The matchup vs. ‘Bama’s defense is why he’s priced down a bit - but normally we’d see King in the 8-9k range most weeks. He’s a solid Super-Flex option in cash or GPP.
Kaleb ElebyWMUMICH730027.96  
Though Western Michigan is a three-score underdog to Michigan here, the offense still holds some DFS value in a high-scoring game. The Broncos could still score 20-30 points and they’ll presumably be passing more while behind in the second half. Kaleb Eleby shined last year for WMU with his 64.7% completion rate, 1,715 passing yards and 18:2 TD:INT ratio across just six games - for a healthy average of 285 yards and three TDs per game. Yes, that came against an all-MAC schedule - but the upside is there for him to rack up the passing numbers when WMU is trailing here. It might be risky, but he could be a great cash Super-Flex option for the savings.

Also Consider: 

Anthony Brown -- Oregon ($8,300 DK) -- Cash/GPP

Cade McNamara -- Michigan ($8,100 DK) -- GPP

Taulia Tagovailoa -- Maryland ($7,200 DK) -- GPP

Jarret Doege -- West Virginia ($6,700 DK) -- Cash

Skylar Thompson -- Kansas State ($6,600 DK) -- GPP/Cash

RUNNING BACKS

Running Backs
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Breece HallISUUNI900030.18  
If you played DFS CFB at all last season, you surely remember Breece Hall. He was consistently the top RB play on a weekly basis with a monopoly of volume and fantasy production in the Iowa State backfield. Hall had 20+ carries in 10 of 12 games last year and failed to go for 100+ total yards only once - though he was usually doing much more than that. He totaled 1,572 yards and 21 TDs on the ground for per-game averages of 131 rush yards and 1.8 TDs. You can’t get much safer than Hall when it comes to rostering high-end RBs in DFS. However, it’s hard to fully trust how much volume he’ll get in a blowout win over Northern Iowa. Though he could easily go for 100+ yards and multiple scores before Iowa St eases off the gas, the risk is there for him to underperform at a very expensive tag. In cash, people may stay away to roster some of the higher-priced QBs on the slate.
Bijan RobinsonUTULL740016.66  
Robinsin is expected to be Texas’ workhorse back this year after he broke out in the latter part of last season. He barely cracked double-digit touches over the first few weeks as a freshman in 2020, but then finished with 150+ total yards in three of the last four games to end the year. New head coach Steve Sarkisian has said he wants to give Robinson 20-30 touches per game, which is something we love to hear for DFS. Volume is key for RBs and it looks like Robinson should have a monopoly of touches in this Longhorns backfield. Sark just came over from Alabama where they fed Najee Harris as the bellcow last season - and he probably has a similar plan for Robinson. He’ll be popular in cash and should be worth it, especially since Texas will likely lean on the ground game with a new QB making his first start.
Jerome FordCINCYMIAOH700011.14  
After serving as the change-of-pace back to Gerrid Doaks last year, Ford is in line to be Cincy’s lead back in 2021 - hence the hefty price tag here after barely cracking 5k previously. The former Alabama transfer has game-breaking speed and can take any carry to the house. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry last season and his eight TDs were actually more than Doaks’ seven. There’s no denying the talent here, but it remains to be seen if he can handle a full workload as the lead ball-carrier. He likely won’t get 20+ carries on a regular basis because of Ridder’s rushing ability as one of the best dual-threat QB’s in the country. This is a prime GPP play on this slate because people will avoid him based on the other names priced above and below - but there’s legit upside for him to score multiple times and put up 100+ total yards.
Brian Robinson Jr.BAMAMIA65007.02  
With Najee Harris gone, it’s Brian Robinson Jr. as Alabama’s lead back now and that fact alone makes him a top DFS play on any slate. He’s honestly way underpriced here and will likely end up chalky in cash games. In a backup role last year, Robinson Jr. totaled 483 rushing yards on 91 carries for a healthy 5.3 ypc average. He might not be Harris - who was one of the nation’s best backs in 2020 - but he can easily go for 100+ yards and multiple scores in any game moving forward. We could see Bama lean on the run more here with a new QB, but the floor seems pretty safe for Robinson as he’s the clear-cut starter in the backfield.
Hassan HaskinsMICHWMU620013.23  
Michigan is definitely a top offense to look towards on this slate as three-score favorites in a game with a whopping total. Assuming the Wolverines have a lead in hand, they should lean on the running game in the second half and let Haskins eat up the clock as much as possible. Last year, Haskins took a while to get going but took over lead back duties late in the season. He had 212 rushing yards and three scores over the final two games and received a workhorse level of carries. Haskins is now the starting tailback with Zach Charbonnet transferring to UCLA - and he should be a focal point of the offense with an inexperienced QB under center. It’s realistic to see Haskins total 100+ yards and multiple scores in a game where Michigan has the lead and feeds him touches in the second half - making him great for cash.
Travis DyeOREFRES550015.03  
While CJ Verdell is the more well-known name in the Oregon backfield, he’s actually a co-starter alongside Dye. Considering the slight savings we get on Dye, he’s the better option on this slate. Overall, we should expect the Ducks to run the ball more with a big lead in the second half and Dye could benefit from a larger workload than normal. Verdell missed some practice time over the last couple weeks and is coming off an injury last season. The coaching staff may opt to rest him in a blowout win and give Dye more touches. Plus, Dye was the more productive back of the two in 2020 when he averaged 6.9 yards per carry compared to Verdell’s 4.4 average. At this price, he’s fine in cash.
Chez MellusiWISCPSU50005.32  
In a surprising turn of events, Mellusi has earned the starting RB role for Wisconsin despite Jalen Berger coming off a solid 2020 campaign. This may end up being a split backfield with Berger and Mellusi sharing the workload, but we can’t ignore a lead RB being this cheap right out of the gate - especially in a Badgers offense that likes to pound the ground game. Mellusi totaled 427 rushing yards on six yards per carry over the last two seasons as Travis Etienne’s backup at Clemson. He’s a solid runner who just never got his chance behind Etienne - and now he has the opportunity to run away with the Wisconsin lead role. He’s worth a shot in GPP’s even in a low-total matchup vs. Penn State.

Also Consider: 

Leddie Brown -- West Virginia ($8,000 DK) -- Cash/GPP

Austin Jones -- Stanford ($7,200 DK) -- GPP

Eric Gray -- Oklahoma ($6,900 DK) -- GPP

Jo’quavious Marks -- Mississippi State ($6,600 DK) -- GPP

Kennedy Brooks -- Oklahoma ($5,900 DK) -- GPP

Dillon Johnson -- Mississippi State ($4,800 DK) -- Cash/GPP

Blake Corum -- Michigan ($3,600 DK) -- GPP

WIDE RECEIVERS

Wide Receivers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
John Metchie IIIBAMAMIA810014.51  
Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith are gone and John Metchie is now the best returning wideout for the Tide. He put up 55 receptions, 916 yards and six scores last season and should be a top pass-catcher for QB Bryce Young in 2021. It remains to be seen who Young favors in this receiving corps, but we know Metchie provides more first-team experience than the replacements for Waddle/Smith. There will be enough points to go around for multiple Bama players to be DFS gold on a weekly basis, and Metchie is the top pairing with Young in all formats. The expensive price tag, though, may have people fading him with some cheaper guys to look at in cash.
Marvin MimsOUTUL770014.52  
As much as we will want to load up on Oklahoma this slate, it’s hard to trust any of them outside of Spencer Rattler. Last year, we saw the Sooners spread the production around to multiple receivers and backs. Mims, though, led the way with his 610 receiving yards and nine receiving scores while his 37 receptions tied for the team lead with Theo Wease - who is sidelined for the next few weeks. Mims should be the top target for Rattler this season and it starts this weekend. The price tag is hefty, but he can easily go for 100+ yards and multiple scores before the starters get rested in a blowout. Hard to trust in cash but load him up in GPP’s as the top pairing with Rattler.
Mike HarleyMIABAMA660017.11  
If we assume Miami will be trailing against Alabama this weekend, then the ‘Canes receivers are worth a look with the offense likely passing more often. It’s also encouraging that QB D’Eriq King is back healthy and seems fully ready to go for this opener. Harley was King’s top target last year when he led the team in receptions (57) and yards (799) while the seven TDs tied with Brevin Jordan. With Jordan gone, it’s Harley who’ll be the best red zone weapon for King - and his smaller, speedy frame will come in handy for an offense that’ll need some big plays to keep it close vs. Bama. In GPP’s, he’s worth a low-owned shot for a TD or two and plenty of targets incoming.
Charlie KolarISUUNI550013.64  
Although Breece Hall is the top overall target from this Iowa State side from a DFS standpoint, the passing game could easily produce most of the scoring. Enter Charlie Kolar, whose seven TD receptions led all Cyclones receivers last year as one of the best tight ends in the country. He’s a top target for QB Brock Purdy, who loves to look for his TE in the red zone and for easy completions in the short-to-intermediate range. Kolar was usually a safe cash play last season and should be exactly that on a weekly basis in 2021. The Northern Iowa defense will struggle to cover him and Kolar could easily smash this price tag.
Jaylen HallWMUMICH550018.46  
We mentioned earlier how WMU QB Kaleb Eleby is a solid option with the offense expected to be trailing and throwing more often as underdogs to Michigan. Plus, this high total game should feature plenty of DFS production for both sides. Eleby’s top weapons are Skyy Moore and Jaylen Hall - who should both take on more targets with D’Wayne Eskridge off to the NFL. Last year, Hall totaled just 12 receptions and 323 receiving yards over five games - but he did have seven TDs on the season and scored at least once every week. He also had two games of 100+ yards. He could be a top weapon for Eleby to look at while trailing - and the cheaper price tag than Moore is attractive for cash.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jameson WilliamsBAMAMIA52004.55  
We know Alabama has to replace the production of Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith in the receiving corps and Jameson Williams is a top candidate to do so. After transferring from Ohio State this offseason, Williams has worked his way into a starting role for Bama and he can easily outperform this price tag. Honestly, this is way too cheap for a starting Tide receiver and this may be the lowest we see him at all season if he has a good game this weekend. There should be enough targets to go around and have multiple Bama wideouts be productive from a fantasy standpoint. Williams is perfectly fine for cash and has GPP upside too.
Jamire CalvinMSSTLT480011.08  
The Mississippi State offense is poised for a bounceback season after being shaky last year. Specifically, the receiving corps underwhelmed in 2020 with multiple pass-catchers being involved but not much consistency game-to-game. While Jaden Walley is the top returning WR, we should see Jamire Calvin carve out a solid role. He earned a starting role after transferring from Washington State, where he coincidentally played under Mike Leach for a couple years. Calvin’s familiarity in Leach’s quick-strike, pass-happy offense could go a long way. The price tag is very affordable for a guy who could easily finish with a solid PPR floor.
Xavier WorthyUTULL47000  
Texas has to replace a ton of production from last year’s WR corps and true freshman Xavier Worthy is a top candidate to do so. Despite leading wideout Joshua Moore being back, the Longhorns are without Brennan Eagles, Jake Smith and Tarik Black - who finished second, third and fourth in receiving yards in 2020. Worthy, meanwhile, has been getting a ton of buzz in camp and earned a starting role right away. He was a top high school recruit who originally committed to Michigan before flipping to Texas this past spring. It’s clear he’s stood out among the other pass-catchers and could be a favorite target for new QB Hudson Card in this opening game.
Jadon HaselwoodOUTUL45003.5  
Oklahoma didn’t do us any favors with the depth chart as they listed all the starting WR’s with “OR” designations. Haselwood, though, now has a clearer path to targets following the recent injury to Theo Wease as the pair were co-starters at the X receiver spo. Though he barely made an impact last year with only four catches for 65 yards in total, Haselwood could be more involved in the next few weeks while Wease is sidelined. Outside of Marvin Mims, it remains to be seen which other receivers QB Spencer Rattler prefers - but the door is open for Haselwood after was a highly touted recruit a couple years ago. It’s a risky play, but the cheap price tag is attractive as he could easily find the end zone and pay off.
JoJo EarleBAMAMIA40000  
Another Bama wideout in the playbook?! Yep, because JoJo Earle is too cheap to ignore on this slate as he has a chance to smash value. The true freshman was a highly touted recruit who impressed in camp and earned a co-starter role in the slot alongside Slade Bolden. He’s drawn comparisons from coaches to Jaylen Waddle because of his game-breaking speed and ability to make plays after the catch. It’s notable that Earle is also one of Alabama’s punt returners - to get an idea of his playmaking upside. We don’t know how Earle and Bolden will split snaps in the slot, but the fact that he’s already carving out a role as a freshman is a big deal - especially when the receiving corps has to replace DeVonta Smith and Waddle. He’s worth a shot in GPP’s and might even be cash viable as a cheap exposure to the Tide offense.

Also Consider: 

Alec Pierce -- Cincinnati ($7,200 DK) -- GPP

Jaden Walley -- Mississippi State ($6,900 DK) -- Cash/GPP

Xavier Hutchinson -- Iowa State ($6,300 DK) -- Cash

Jalen Cropper -- Fresno State ($6,100 DK) -- GPP

Skyy Moore -- Western Michigan ($5,900 DK) -- GPP

Michael Woods II -- Oklahoma ($5,400 DK) -- Cash

Josh Whyle -- Cincinnati ($4,600 DK) -- Cash/GPP

Mycah Pittman -- Oregon ($4,100 DK) -- Cash/GPP

Troy Franklin -- Oregon ($3,000 DK) -- GPP

Example Lineups:

DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBDesmond RidderCINCYMIAOH30.1$9,200
Pivot     
RBBijan RobinsonUTULL16.7$7,400
Pivot     
RBBrian Robinson Jr.BAMAMIA7$6,500
Pivot     
WRJamire CalvinMSSTLT11.1$4,800
Pivot     
WRJadon HaselwoodOUTUL3.5$4,500
PivotXavier WorthyUTULL-$4,700
WRJoJo EarleBAMAMIA-$4,000
Pivot     
FLEXHassan HaskinsMICHWMU13.2$6,200
PivotCharlie KolarISUUNI13.6$5,500
S-FLEXD'Eriq KingMIABAMA26.5$7,400
PivotBrock PurdyISUUNI21.2$7,900
      
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
QBBryce YoungBAMAMIA0.8$8,900
Pivot     
RBBreece HallISUUNI30.2$9,000
PivotJerome FordCINCYMIAOH11.1$7,000
RBTravis DyeOREFRES15$5,500
PivotChez MellusiWISCPSU5.3$5,000
WRJameson WilliamsBAMAMIA4.6$5,200
Pivot     
WRJaylen HallWMUMICH18.5$5,500
Pivot     
WRJoJo EarleBAMAMIA-$4,000
Pivot     
FLEXJadon HaselwoodOUTUL3.5$4,500
Pivot     
S-FLEXKaleb ElebyWMUMICH28$7,300
PivotSpencer RattlerOUTUL26.60$9,700