Welcome back, college football fans! We get our first CFB DFS slate of the 2023 season on Saturday with an entertaining College Football Week 0 schedule. Caleb Williams and the USC Trojans headline the action and will be a focal point of top CFB DFS picks and plays this weekend. We also have Kurtis Rourke and Ohio taking on Jalen Mayden and San Diego State. Plus, AJ Swann and Vanderbilt host Hawaii in their season opener. Overall, it's a 5-game main slate starting up at 7 pm ET on Saturday on DraftKings and FanDuel for your CFB DFS lineups. All the Week 0 odds and college football team totals below are via DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of this writing. Check out my top picks, values, lineup strategies, and more for cash or GPP college football daily fantasy contests. If you want to get some more action on this CFB Week 0 slate, check out my College Football best bets for Saturday's games. Let's now get into the top CFB DFS picks for Saturday night, August 26th as the 2023 college football season kicks off with Week 0.
College Football Week 0 CFB DFS Schedule
- 7 pm ET – UMass at New Mexico State (-7) – 45 O/U
- 7 pm ET – Ohio at San Diego State (-3) – 49 O/U
- 7:30 pm ET – Hawaii at Vanderbilt (-17.5) – 56.5 O/U
- 8 pm ET – San Jose State at USC (-31.5) – 66.5 O/U
- 9 pm ET – FIU at Louisiana Tech (-12) – 57.5 O/U
CFB Top Team Totals
- USC – 48.5
- Vanderbilt – 37.5
- Louisiana Tech – 34.5
- New Mexico State – 26.5
- San Diego State – 25.5
- Ohio – 23.5
College Football Week 0 CFB DFS Picks
Top CFB DFS Quarterbacks
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
| Caleb Williams | USC | SJSU | 9900 | 33.25 | 12800 | 30.94 |
| The reigning Heisman winner is the clear top QB on this slate and should be pretty popular in all formats. Caleb Williams is back to headline the high-scoring USC offense that should feast at home as big favorites. It’ll be tough to fade him in cash lineups, even at the expensive salary and with blowout risk. The only worry is how many DFS points he puts up before getting benched in the second half, but Williams should be plenty busy as both a passer and rusher. You can look elsewhere in GPPs to pay up at other positions. | ||||||
| AJ Swann | VAND | HAW | 8500 | 9.26 | 10000 | 9.04 |
| If you want to fade Caleb Williams in GPP, then AJ Swann is the high-priced pivot. Swann is Vandy’s starting QB this season after splitting time with Mike Wright last year. He’s expected to take a step forward in his development and command of the offense after showing flashes as a true freshman in 2022. On a level playing field, Swann would never outscore Williams for DFS – but there is the possibility this weekend. Vandy’s home matchup vs Hawaii is a tasty one and Williams could be on the bench in the second half of a blowout. | ||||||
| Diego Pavia | NMST | UMASS | 7400 | 16.23 | 7700 | 11.84 |
| Diego Pavia took over as New Mexico State’s starting QB towards the end of last season and he put up some impressive numbers. If we take out an ugly stat line vs Missouri, he had a 10:1 TD:INT ratio over his final four games with 20+ DK in each. One thing we like about Pavia is his dual-threat upside as he ran for 508 yards and six rush TDs in about half a season of real playing time. He’ll be playing at home here against a subpar UMass defense and makes for a great Super-Flex play – especially with that rushing. The FD price tag is especially cheap and should make him popular on that site. | ||||||
| Jalen Mayden | SDSU | OHIO | 5900 | 20.41 | 8800 | 19.48 |
| Mayden was pretty productive from a DFS standpoint last year after he took over as San Diego State’s starting QB in Week 6. He put up 2,030 passing yards and 12 TDs in eight games, added in 231 rushing yards and three rush TDs, and averaged 20 DK per game. Mayden is expected to take another step forward in his development as SDSU’s starter and is very viable as a QB2 on this slate. Mayden can easily post 25+ DK against an Ohio pass defense that wasn’t great last season. | ||||||
| Hank Bachmeier | LT | FIU | 5800 | 9.07 | 9500 | 7.31 |
| If you’ve played CFB DFS in recent years, then you likely remember Hank Bachmeier. The Boise State transfer is now at Louisiana Tech and will be running the Air Raid-type offense. There’s a lot to like here because Bachmeier is a proven, veteran QB with some good receivers to throw to in Smoke Harris and Cyrus Allen. The Bulldogs are also down a couple running backs and could lean on Bachmeier with the passing game. He’ll face a soft FIU pass defense as well. LaTech actually has one of the higher team totals on the slate, so Bachmeier is very viable as your QB2 on DK. He's a tad too expensive on FD, though. | ||||||
| Kurtis Rourke | OHIO | SDSU | 5500 | 26.8 | 9000 | 22.74 |
| We got word that Kurtis Rourke will start this season opener after suffering an ACL injury last November. That’s a good sign that he’s back healthy, but you still have to wonder if he’ll be limited at all early in the year. Rourke is coming off of a great season with 3,256 yards, 25 TDs, and a 69% completion rate over 11 games in 2022. The DK price tag is very cheap for a guy that was at $8,000 at the end of last year. That discount could make him a pretty popular Super-Flex play on DK. It’s tough to fully trust with a higher FD salary, though. San Diego State is replacing a lot on defense and Rourke can easily put up 25-30 DK or more if this game turns into a shootout. | ||||||
Other QBs to Consider:
- Chevan Cordeiro – San Jose State (GPP)
Top CFB DFS Running Backs
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
| MarShawn Lloyd | USC | SJSU | 7400 | 18.21 | 8000 | 16.43 |
| The top two USC running backs are a bit overpriced to roster in cash lineups, but Austin Jones and MarShawn Lloyd are both viable GPP options. With Travis Dye gone, Lloyd transfers in from South Carolina to be the 1B to Jones. They likely end up splitting touches all season, but Lloyd brings a bit more upside for Week 0 at similar price tags. He’s reportedly been getting first-team reps in practice and could eventually emerge as the best back over Jones. Plus, in a blowout scenario this week, Lloyd may get more second-half work to get acclimated to the offense. | ||||||
| Sieh Bangura | OHIO | SDSU | 7200 | 21.53 | 8700 | 18.94 |
| As Ohio’s lead back last year, Sieh Bangura racked up 1,078 rushing yards and 13 rush TDs. He also added in 27 catches for 226 yards and two TDs. Bangura was a stud DFS RB for us all season almost every time Ohio was on the slate. He has the GPP upside and proven track record to be one of the top RBs this week. However, roster with caution because O’Shaan Allison is back healthy for Ohio after missing all of last year. Allison likely steals production away from Bangura truly being a bell-cow. | ||||||
| Kenan Christon | SDSU | OHIO | 5600 | 6.14 | 6300 | 4.27 |
| It’s admittedly tough to get a good read on the Aztecs backfield right now. With last year’s leading rusher Jordan Byrd gone, it’s expected to be a committee approach for SDSU. That makes it tough to roster any of them in cash, but there’s GPP upside for Kenan Christon. The former USC transfer has reportedly had a strong offseason after being a backup in 2022. He has the most talent in this RB group, but is listed as a co-starter with Cam Davis for this opener. So roster cautiously, but Christon had some good DFS performances last year when given the opportunity. | ||||||
| Charvis Thornton | LT | FIU | 5400 | 6.24 | 6400 | 5.78 |
| The Louisiana Tech backfield is dealing with multiple injuries and it puts Charvis Thornton in line for a lead back role in Week 0. He’s the starter right now with Marquis Crosby out for this season opener and Tyre Shelton being called a game-time decision (and listed as a backup, anyway). Crosby saw 15-20 carries per game last year as the starting RB, so that’s the volume we can likely expect for Thornton. He averaged 5.8 ypc last year as a backup and could be a huge value with Crosby and Shelton both hurt. | ||||||
| Tylan Hines | HAW | VAND | 4700 | 8.6 | 5900 | 7.83 |
| With Dedrick Parson gone, Tylan Hines is slated to be Hawaii’s lead RB this season. In a backup role last year, Hines put up 634 rushing yards on 83 carries for an impressive 7.6 ypc average. He was very productive when given the touches and there’s a lot to like for a lead RB that’s so cheap on both sites. Hines is a smaller back at 5-foot-7, but he’s very shifty and can be a top playmaker in Hawaii’s offense this year. One beat reporter said that head coach Timmy Chang wants the ball in Hines’ hands as much as possible and that he’ll be used as a slot receiver as well. Even if Vandy wins big, Hines can be a great DFS value in all formats. | ||||||
| Sedrick Alexander | VAND | HAW | 3700 | 0 | 6500 | |
| The Vanderbilt backfield is expected to be a committee this season with last year’s leading rusher, Ray Davis, now at Kentucky. While Patrick Smith and Chase Gillespie are listed ahead of Sedrick Alexander on the preseason depth chart, the latter could eventually emerge as the offense’s best back. The true freshman was a Texas high school stud and he received tons of hype in spring camp, even scoring a TD with the starters in Vandy’s spring game. Smith and Gillespie should get the first crack at carries, and both could be considered values against a weak Hawaii rush defense. Alexander, though, could still see plenty of work and is worth a GPP dart – especially if the Commodores are up big in the second half. | ||||||
Other RBs to Consider:
- Shomari Lawrence – FIU (GPP)
- Patrick Smith – Vanderbilt (GPP)
- Kay-Ron Lynch-Adams – UMass (GPP)
Top CFB DFS Wide Receivers
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
| Dorian Singer | USC | SJSU | 7700 | 18.62 | 9800 | 15.06 |
| Singer was a stud for a bad Arizona team last year and now has Caleb Williams throwing him passes in a high-scoring USC offense. That’s the beauty of the transfer portal! Singer can potentially step right into the vacated targets and production of Jordan Addison, who led the Trojan WRs in receptions, yards, and TDs last year. It might take a game or two (or a tougher opponent) to see exactly what Singer’s role will be in this offense. For now, he’s definitely worth a look in cash or GPP because 100+ yards and 2 TDs isn’t out of the question in Week 0. There are a lot of mouths to feed in this offense, but Williams may look to build a rapport with Singer early on. | ||||||
| Sam Wiglusz | OHIO | SDSU | 7100 | 16.93 | 7800 | 14.63 |
| Sam Wiglusz is back as Ohio’s top WR after leading the team in receptions (73), yards (877), and TDs (11) a year ago. He was a very reliable DFS play with Kurtis Rourke healthy last season. With Rourke healthy for this opener, Wiglusz could put up 25-30 DK as one of the top WRs on the slate. San Diego State lost a couple of key defenders and this game might be a sneaky game stack. He might be better suited for GPP lineups, but there’s plenty of upside with a strong floor at his best. | ||||||
| Smoke Harris | LT | FIU | 6600 | 13.58 | 8700 | 10.58 |
| You’ll want to roster either Smoke Harris or Cyrus Allen in lineups with Hank Bachmeier. Both should be top targets for Louisiana Tech all season with Tre Harris now gone from last year’s team. Allen is a big-play threat with more GPP boom-or-bust potential week-to-week. Harris can be a PPR machine and underneath option for Bachmeier to provide a safer cash floor. Both are firmly in play this weekend, but switch up exposure depending on the contest type. Tru Edwards, by the way, is listed as a stater and min priced on DK. He’s worth a GPP dart. | ||||||
| Brenden Rice | USC | SJSU | 6200 | 9.08 | 7300 | 5.55 |
| Brenden Rice finished last year on a high note with 172 yards, 2 TDs and 38 DK in the Cotton Bowl. He’s expected to take on a bigger role in the receiving corps as a sophomore and with Jordan Addison off to the NFL. There’s a lot of competition for targets in this USC offense with Dorian Singer, Mario Williams, and Tahj Washington all there. Still, Rice offers plenty of upside and he easily could develop into the Trojans’ top pass-catcher. We may see him be more involved in this season opener with Williams, Washington and Michael Jackson all dealing with minor injuries in fall camp. | ||||||
| Mekhi Shaw | SDSU | OHIO | 5200 | 8.56 | 6400 | 7.57 |
| If you’re rostering Jalen Mayden at QB, then Mekhi Shaw is the best San Diego State WR to pair. Shaw is in line to be the Aztecs’ leading pass-catcher with last year’s top two targets gone (Jesse Matthews and Tyrell Shavers). When Mayden took over the starting QB last season, Shaw’s receiving production went up and he had multiple games with 5+ receptions. That would be a strong cash floor for his cheaper prices. | ||||||
| Will Sheppard | VAND | HAW | 5000 | 16.05 | 8500 | 12.44 |
| First off, Will Sheppard is way underpriced on DK and might be a cash game lock at just 5k. It’s more of a decision on FD, where he’s better suited for GPPs. The senior is back as Vandy’s top pass-catcher after leading the team in every major receiving category last year (60 rec, 776 yards, 9 TD). Sheppard should be a favorite target for Swann and Hawaii’s secondary will struggle to contain him. He caught two TDs in this matchup a year ago. | ||||||
| Nick Nash | SJSU | USC | 4500 | 6.83 | 5600 | 0.90 |
| Nick Nash is one of my favorite value plays on this slate. There are a ton of targets and receiving production up for grabs for San Jose State with three of the top four pass-catchers from last year gone, including top WR Elijah Cooks. Plus, Justin Lockhart is questionable to play this season opener. Nash, meanwhile, has been named a starting WR after moving from QB to wideout last season. He’s reportedly been targeted heavily by QB Chevan Cordeiro in practice dating back to the spring. That’s a great sign for Nash to potentially emerge as a go-to receiver in this offense. Plus, Nash had four catches for 51 yards and a TD in San Jose State’s bowl game last year. Either way, he’s really cheap for a starting WR in a pass-focused offense that should be throwing a ton while trailing USC. | ||||||
| Jonathan Brady | NMST | UMASS | 4400 | 6.72 | 6100 | 3.47 |
| Once Diego Pavia took over as New Mexico State’s QB last year, Jonathan Brady saw more consistent production. He had four receptions and 40+ yards in four of the final five games in 2022 with Pavia under center. If we see a repeat of that usage and target share, Brady’s PPR floor is pretty attractive at his cheap price tags. Another value WR to consider from NM St is Chris Bellamy, who’s starting and just $3100 on DK. Last year’s leading wideout Justice Powers is gone, so there’s added opportunity for Brady and/or Bellamy. | ||||||
| Mark Pope | UMASS | NMST | 3900 | 0.62 | 5500 | |
| There aren’t many UMass players worth rostering on this slate, but Mark Pope is an upside GPP value. The former Miami WR should be the best pass-catcher for UMass this season without much proven talent in the receiving corps. We saw flashes of his talent at Miami back in 2019 and 2020 before he transferred away and couldn’t cut it at Jackson State last season. It’s tough to trust the UMass offense in general, but maybe Pope quickly becomes a favorite target for new QB Taisun Phommachanh. | ||||||
| Pofele Ashlock | HAW | VAND | 3000 | 0 | 4000 | |
| At min price on both sites, Pofele Ashlock is a very interesting punt play. The redshirt freshman is listed as a starting WR on Hawaii’s depth chart and he reportedly made multiple highlight reel plays in fall camp. There’s receiving production up for grabs with Zion Bowens gone, who led the team in catches, receiving yards, and TD receptions last year. Kansas transfer Steven McBride is another cheap Hawaii WR to consider. Ashlock at the dirt minimum could return plenty of value. At least we can expect Hawaii to be throwing a lot while trailing Vandy. | ||||||
Other WRs to Consider:
- Cyrus Allen – Louisiana Tech (GPP)
- Kris Mitchell – FIU (Cash)
- Steven McBride – Hawaii (GPP)
- Tru Edwards – Louisiana Tech (GPP)
- Zachariah Branch – USC (GPP)
CFB DFS Week 0 Core Plays
DraftKings Cash
- Caleb Williams, USC
- Charvis Thornton, Louisiana Tech
- Will Sheppard, Vanderbilt
FanDuel Cash
- Diego Pavia, New Mexico State
- Tylan Hines, Hawaii
- Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech
DraftKings GPP
- Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
- Nick Nash, San Jose State
- Sedrick Alexander, Vanderbilt
FanDuel GPP
- AJ Swann, Vanderbilt
- Brenden Rice, USC
- Kenan Christon, San Diego State
College Football Best Bets
If you want to get some more action on this CFB slate, check out my College Football best bets for Saturday's games. Plus, I broke down CFB win totals and college football futures betting picks for every power conference. Check out the SEC and Big Ten bets here and then picks for the ACC, Pac-12, and Big 12 here.
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