College Football Week 5 brings us a solid 4-game Friday night slate as we dive into top CFB DFS picks and lineup strategies. We have an ACC matchup of Louisville vs NC State to kick off the night at 7 pm ET and the new Big 12 “rivalry” of Cincinnati vs BYU wraps up the evening. Plus, we get one of the top CFB Week 5 matchups with Utah vs Oregon State. You can build CFB DFS lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel for this Friday night slate. Let's now dive into the top college football DFS picks and plays for this slate. Note that all of the CFB Week 5 odds below are via DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of this writing. Let's now get into the top CFB DFS picks for Friday night, September 28th.

 

College Football Week 5 Friday Schedule

  • 7 pm ET – Louisville (-3.5) at NC State – 55.5 O/U
  • 9 pm ET – Utah at Oregon State (-3.5) – 44.5 O/U
  • 9 pm ET – Louisiana Tech at UTEP (-1) – 53 O/U
  • 10:15 pm ET – Cincinnati (-2) at BYU – 48 O/U

 

College Football Week 5 Friday CFB DFS Picks

Top CFB DFS Quarterbacks

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Brennan ArmstrongNCSTUL870022.721070024.13
As usual with Brennan Armstrong, his rushing ability gives him one of the safest DFS floors on a small slate like this. It happened last week when he threw for just 180 yards and 2 TDs with an interception, but his 64 rushing yards saved a 20 DK performance. It’s not great, but he also won’t tank your lineup. Armstrong’s rushing is even more important with Jordan Houston off the team now. Louisville’s defense isn’t anything special either and has allowed big games to a pair of dual-threat QBs already (GT’s Haynes King and BC’s Thomas Castellanos). The top-tier QBs on this slate aren’t great, but Armstrong has the best cash floor.
Jack PlummerULNCST850024.951050024.20
If you want to fade Armstrong as your QB1, then Jack Plummer is the upside pivot on the other side of the same game. Plummer’s ceiling was on full display last week with 388 passing yards, 5 pass TDs, and a rushing score for 44 DK. That performance has increased the price a bit much to trust for cash, but the GPP upside is clearly there. NC State’s defense has only faced one good team so far and Sam Hartman threw for 286 yards with 4 TDs. It’s not apples-to-apples, but Louisville does boast the highest team total on the slate.
DJ UiagaleleiORSTUTAH820024.51020024.50
While he wasn’t the best against Washington St last week, DJ Uiagalelei still put up 23 DK with his 61 rushing yards and a rush TD. He now has a rushing score in every game so far, which has kept his DFS floor higher than usual. The Utah defense presents a very tough matchup here in what should be a low-scoring game overall. DJ U can be considered for GPP lineups on the small slate, though, especially if you want to fade Armstrong and/or Plummer as your QB1. He’s a contrarian play in this matchup.
Emory JonesCINCYBYU690026.35940024.60
If you played Emory Jones last week, he let you down against Oklahoma with only 11.6 DK points and a 0:2 TD:INT ratio. Even so, we can go back to him here as a Super-Flex in GPP lineups. Jones still has the dual-threat upside as he ran for 101 yards and a TD two games ago. The passing is still shaky, but the rushing keeps him in play. BYU’s defense struggled a bit with dual-threat Jalon Daniels last week vs Kansas, so the ceiling is there for Jones on this small slate. In cash, you can look at Kedon Slovis on the other side for a slightly safer floor.
Jack TurnerLTUTEP540010.87860016.84
Louisiana Tech starting QB Hank Bachmeier is questionable to play after missing last week. If he’s out, then we get a cheap Super-Flex option in Jack Turner. Last week, Turner chucked it 42 times for 292 yards while playing catch-up against Nebraska. Even in a closer matchup this week, Turner could be busy passing-wise with all of the LaTech backfield injuries. There aren’t many value QBs worth rostering on this small slate, but Turner could give you 15-20 DK as a decent salary-saver.

Top CFB DFS Running Backs

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jawhar JordanULNCST700029.521000026.52
Jawhar Jordan continues to pump out good stat lines after dropping 42 DK last week with 134 rushing yards, 2 rush TDs, and a 75-yard receiving score. Louisville’s lead back is averaging an impressive 9.6 ypc this season with three straight games of at least 100+ rushing yards, a TD, and 23 DK. He’ll face an NC State rush defense that gave up 134 yards and 2 TDs to Notre Dame’s Audric Estime not too long ago. The Wolfpack even allowed UConn to put up 160 rushing yards on 6.2 ypc back in Week 1. This is a great spot for Jordan to keep it going as the top overall RB on the slate.
Damien MartinezORSTUTAH670016.85850013.98
The argument can be made that Deshaun Fenwick is a better DFS play than Damien Martinez for a cheaper price and potentially better production. With Martinez, though, we’re getting consistent production and he’s yet to have one of those smash games. Oregon St’s lead back is averaging 108 rushing yards per game and just had 81 yards on 17 carries last week. The only issue is that he’s scored just once through four games, which has limited his DFS upside. The matchup vs Utah here is definitely tough, but Martinez is a GPP play still as he should get the volume and could have positive TD regression in the coming games.
Torrance Burgess Jr.UTEPLT590012.3820010.75
Louisiana Tech has one of the worst rush defenses in the country, allowing 226.6 rush yards per game (129th in FBS). The defense has also given up big rushing performances of 100+ yards and at least a TD to four of the five lead RBs it’s faced. This immediately puts Torrance Burgess in a good spot as UTEP’s top back. He’s overtaken Deion Hankins in the UTEP backfield and just ran for 99 yards and a TD on 19 carries last week. For cash lineups, Burgess is a top RB play on both sites because of the very favorable matchup.
LJ MartinBYUCINCY510011.72780011.23
With Aidan Robbins still sidelined, LJ Martin looks locked into BYU’s lead back role. He had 23 carries for 77 yards and 2 TDs back in Week 3 vs Arkansas with Robbins out. Last week, Martin had a lesser workload with only 11 carries for 28 yards but BYU was also playing from behind vs Kansas. This matchup vs Cincinnati should be close throughout and we can get 20+ touches from Martin for a strong cash floor. Cincy’s rush defense has been decent this year, but Martin can get there with his heavy workload. It was also encouraging to see him catch a TD last week.
Jaylon GloverUTAHORST50008.1580007.13
Jaylon Glover is getting the majority of carries in Utah’s backfield right now with Ja’Quinden Jackson playing with an ankle injury and Micah Bernard out for the season. Last week vs UCLA, we saw Glover get 25 carries for 86 yards while Jackson only had six carries for 26 yards. The game prior, Glover had 12 carries to Jackson’s nine. With Cam Rising possibly out again, the Utah offense has to lean on the run despite the tough matchup vs Oregon St’s stout rush defense. On volume alone, Glover can return value if the above trend continues – but limit to GPP lineups.
Jacob FieldsLTUTEP37008.6863007.80
Louisiana Tech is dealing with a ton of RB injuries right now. Marquis Crosby, Charvis Thornton, Tyre Shelton, and Keith Willis are all questionable this week and could all be out. Obviously, this is a situation to monitor before kickoff to see if any are warming up. By default, Jacob Fields could be the lead guy and an interesting value. Last week, he had six carries for 28 yards and a TD while also adding four catches for 38 yards. The UTEP rush defense has been terrible this year, giving up 201 rush yards per game with an FBS-worst 13 rush TDs allowed. There’s definite upside here if we get word that Fields is the guy.

Top CFB DFS Wide Receivers

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Smoke HarrisLTUTEP680018.02900016.63
Even with Hank Bachmeier out last week, it didn’t impact Smoke Harris. He had 10 catches for 73 yards in the loss at Nebraska with the backup in. No matter who’s at QB, Harris will be the focal point of the Louisiana Tech passing attack. His receptions and yards usually provide a safe cash floor with TD upside as well. He should be a safe blanket for Jack Turner, who looks likely to start again with Bachmeier possibly out. Harris' 34 receptions through four games are twice as many as the next-closest LaTech pass-catcher.
Jamari ThrashULNCST660024.8970021.67
Maybe he’s due for some regression, but it’s impossible to ignore the consistency from Jamari Thrash to start this season. Louisville’s top wideout has at least 70 yards, a TD, and 18 DK in all four games thus far. He’s a clear favorite target for Jack Plummer in the passing game, especially in the scoring department. NC State’s defense has faced one respectable pass offense this year and Notre Dame threw for 4 TDs. At $6600 on DK, Thrash is still underpriced considering his weekly production. There aren’t many top-tier WRs on this small slate and Thrash can easily finish as the highest-scoring.
Xzavier HendersonCINCYBYU600017.25800012.88
Henderson had a quiet afternoon last week vs Oklahoma with just three receptions and 41 yards. However, he still saw 10 targets in the game as he’s the clear top guy in Cincy’s pass offense as Emory Jones’ favorite receiver. Henderson is only two weeks removed from racking up 12 receptions for 140 yards. That’s what he can do when Jones is actually connecting with him. Things should be easier against BYU this week. Win or lose, Henderson will be targeted heavily on a weekly basis as the top target for Jones. That keeps his DFS floor/ceiling combo among the best on this slate.
Silas BoldenORSTUTAH580013.95740011.70
Oregon State doesn’t pass often, but Silas Bolden is the top target when it does. His 18 receptions and 235 receiving yards both lead the team through four games. The cash floor is there with steady production as he and Anthony Gould are the only consistent pass-catchers for the Beavers. If Utah’s defense shuts down the run, Bolden could see plenty of targets to return value and possibly score when Oregon St goes to the air.
Kelly AkharaiyiUTEPLT490012.08840012.40
UTEP’s passing attack definitely leaves a lot to be desired. Still, Kelly Akharaiyi presents some value here – especially sub-5k on DK. We could have Tyrin Smith out again for the Miners after he missed last week. That would boost all the UTEP receivers but especially Akharaiyi, who had 92 yards on four catches last game with Smith out. His 253 receiving yards lead the team through five games, despite only having three good games.
Isaac RexBYUCINCY470013700010.13
There are a few BYU value receivers to consider this week. We’ll start with the tight end Isaac Rex, who just had seven catches for 76 yards last week. His 260 receiving yards lead the team so far and he has 4+ catches in three straight games. The DFS floor is pretty solid with Kedon Slovis looking for his tight end plenty. Rex saw 12 targets last week and had eight targets the game prior.
Chase RobertsBYUCINCY460012.92710010.43
Another BYU value to consider in this nightcap matchup is Chase Roberts. His 18 receptions lead the team so far (though it is by one over both Isaac Rex and Darius Lassiter). He had five catches for 89 yards on 10 targets last week. Roberts looks to be building a better rapport with Kedon Slovis and he now has 5+ catches in three of four games. You can consider Lassiter too from BYU, but Roberts is cheaper on both sites for likely similar production.
Dee WigginsCINCYBYU45009.7567008.13
How about some more cheap exposure to the late-night kickoff? This time it’s in the Cincinnati WR corps with Dee Wiggins offering some salary relief. Actually, Wiggins and Braden Smith are both values to consider from Cincy’s offense. As for Wiggins, he has a slightly better floor than Smith while the latter has the higher upside with big-play potential. Wiggins just had six catches for 45 yards last week in his best game of the year so far. There’s TD positive regression for him too as he only has one score through four games.
Bradley RoznerNCSTUL37007.2250005.20
We mentioned Bradley Rozner as a value option last week and, unfortunately, he only had 22 yards on three catches. Still, he’s a GPP dart again on this small slate for the TD potential. Rozner scored in the two previous games to exceed value. He’s also recently moved up to co-starter status on NC State’s depth chart, which is a good sign moving forward.

 

CFB DFS Week 4 Friday Core Plays 

DraftKings Cash

  • Brennan Armstrong – NC State
  • Jawhar Jordan – Louisville
  • Torrance Burgess Jr. – UTEP

DraftKings GPP

  • Emory Jones – Cincinnati
  • Damien Martinez – Oregon State
  • Jacob Fields – Louisiana Tech

FanDuel Cash

  • Brennan Armstrong – NC State
  • Jawhar Jordan – Louisville
  • Smoke Harris – Louisiana Tech

FanDuel GPP

  • Damien Martinez – Oregon State
  • Xzavier Henderson – Cincinnati 
  • Jack Plummer – Louisville
 

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