Welcome back! After a week off last week, I’m back and ready to help you win money. The early Saturday slate is one of the biggest we’ve seen all season with over $500K in guaranteed prizes including the $200K Big Game ($20 entry) with $25K to first place.
Please feel free to contact myself or DFS Report on Twitter for any feedback or personal start/sit questions! Also, check out our new “comments” section below and let us know what you think!
Note: Effective 10/15, DFS Report will no longer be covering the Thursday slate of college football but instead cover top Saturday slates, early and late.
Iowa (-1) @ Northwestern — O/U: 41.5
This one may have a low over/under but features two of the NCAA’s biggest workhorses, Justin Jackson (NW) and Jordan Canzeri (Iowa). The Hawkeyes will look to stay unbeaten while the Wildcats will look to bounce back after being embarrassed last weekend vs. Michigan.
Iowa
QB: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
RB: After starting off the season splitting carries, Jordan Canzeri ($6,200) has logged the majority of carries the past three weeks, outnumbering backup Leshun Daniels ($3,500) 91-18 (Daniels did get hurt this weekend and will be out for Saturday). Canzeri has contributed in the passing game as well, catching 16 passes for 174 yards and a TD. He’s priced low due to his match-up vs Northwestern’s 35th-ranked run defense and a likely low-scoring game but should see all the carries he can handle and is one of my favorite GPP plays to consider at RB.
WR: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
Northwestern
QB: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
RB: Justin Jackson ($5,200) is definitely worth a look due to a solid workload, but be cautious of his match-up vs. Iowa’s 5th-ranked defense and Jackson’s inability to find the end zone. He’s a deep GPP play but nothing more.
WR: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
Louisiana Tech @ Mississippi State (-13) — O/U: 60
It’s a Bulldog-showdown as 4-2 LA Tech travels to Starkville to face Mississippi State, who also sits at 4-2.
Louisiana Tech
QB: He may go over-looked, but Jeff Driskel ($6,500) is in a nice spot in a game where he’ll likely be playing from behind a good bit. He’s averaged just under 42 passing attempts per game since week #1. His rushing upside is limited due to the presence of Kenneth Dixon, but he does have 5 rushing TD’s on the year. Keep him in mind on this crowded slate.
RB: Speaking of Kenneth Dixon ($8,400), the senior has had 3 multi-touchdown games and at least one TD in 5 of the 6 contests. He’s truly one of the nation’s top talents but his price scares me away a bit. There’s a lot of options on this LA Tech offense and enough to make me believe he won’t reach value.
WR: The other top option? Trent Taylor ($6,300). Taylor has almost 34% of the receptions this season, whereas the next closest individual has just under 12%. He dominates the WR receiving game, with 49 receptions, 634 yards, and 4 TD’s. If you go with Driskel, Taylor is a must-play in an effort to double the points.
Mississippi State
QB: Dak Prescott ($8,600) will be good to go on Saturday after playing just 4 series, battling an illness. His highest scoring fantasy game was all the way back in week 1, with 30.68, yet he hasn’t topped 24.5 since that game. He has upside and will be extremely low-owned, but it’d be a huge risk to roll with him especially at this price.
RB: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
WR: No individuals stand out here to make enough of an impact, fantasy-wise.
Mississippi (-10.5) @ Memphis — O/U: 71
What a huge game for the Tigers. The Rebels are favored here, but this one could take the Tigers program to the next level.
Mississippi / Memphis
Call me crazy, but I can’t really find one individual I like in this one, aside from Mississippi’s Laquon Treadwell ($5,700) who has more than twice the next closest teammates’ receptions total. Even so, there’s so much competition on both of these teams, there’s just no way I can recommend one particular individual. Since I did mention a Mississippi, I will mention Paxton Lynch ($8,000), but again, very little confidence in any one individual player.
Purdue @ Wisconsin (-23.5) — O/U: 50.5
Not a whole lot to love here, but the Badgers should roll and rely on the run game quite a bit.
Purdue
Wisconsin should be able to hold the Boilermakers in check in this one.
Wisconsin
As stated above, I expect the Badgers to pound the rock. There’s a lot to monitor here. As of Friday evening, Corey Clement ($4,200) is still yet to be ruled out. With that said, I don’t expect him to play. If he does, he’ll still likely be very limited. Taiwan Deal ($4,600) is questionable for the game. If he’s out, I love Dare Ogunbowale ($4,900) becomes a great value play. Should Deal play, I’ll likely avoid all Wisconsin backs and the entire game, all together.
Tulsa @ ECU (-13.5) — O/U: 79.5
Combined, these two teams allow 974 yards per game on average. Need I say more?
Tulsa
QB: I’m not a huge Dane Evans ($8,000) fan for fantasy purposes, and I’ll be avoiding him.
RB: Zack Langer ($6,600) is consistent as they come, averaging 25.1 fantasy points per-game, with his lowest total of the season, 18.1. His ceiling isn’t as high as I wish it was, but he’s certainly reliable.
WR: The Golden Hurricanes lost their star wide-receiver two weeks ago, but Keyarris Garrett ($6,900) and Joshua Atkinson ($5,400) have stepped up in a big way. Take away Lucas’ numbers and Garrett and Atkinson have combined for near 70% of the receptions, and near 75% of the yardage. Garrett is the top option, but Atkinson will be the highest-owned. If you’re looking to differentiate yourself, senior Connor Floyd ($3,600) has tallied 8 receptions and 91 yards in two games.
ECU
QB: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
RB: Chris Hairston ($5,200) is worth taking a look at. He’s the Pirates lead back, tallying 92 carries for 378 yards and 6 TD’s, although he’s never seen more than 18 carries per game. With that said, he is third on the team in receptions. With mobile QB James Summers no longer starting, Hairston’s upside increases just a bit. I think he’s a potential sleeper on Saturday.
WR: I LOVE Isaiah Jones ($5,800) this week. He has such a great chemistry with QB Blake Kemp and although the ball does get spread around a good bit in this offense, he’s clearly the #1 option, leading the team receptions, yardage, and tied for the lead in touchdowns.
Texas Tech (-32) @ Kansas — O/U: 77.5
I’m going to keep this one brief… Texas Tech should cruise here obviously, but I’m really not going to touch anyone with the exception of Jakeem Grant ($7,200). Even then, I’m a bit scared to pay up for him in a blowout, on account of playing time. This Texas Tech depth chart is seemingly never-ending at wide-receiver.
Kansas? Just move on. Many of you probably were burned by Ke’aun Kinner ($4,100) and there still isn’t a whole lot of clarity there. Taylor Cox ($3,100) should at the very least split carries with Kinner and is DEEP flier in GPP’s.
Louisville @ Florida State (-7) — O/U: 46
Two stout defenses face off here and I’ll be avoiding this game completely. The only option to maybe consider here is Lamar Jackson ($5,800) due to his low price and tremendous upside even vs the FSU defense. If Louisville is to win this game, Jackson will need to have a huge game, so if you’re a believer in the Cards upsetting the Noles, pencil Jackson into your lineups.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-20) — O/U: 77.5
This one will be a ton of fun–if WVU can keep up. After losing to the state of Oklahoma for the past two weeks, the Mountaineers will look to take out their frustration on the Bears.
West Virginia
QB: For some reason, I seem to be stuck on Skylar Howard ($7,300). Well, not anymore. He’s consistent, averaging 23.4 FPPG. Unfortunately, he hasn’t reached the 30-point threshold even once this season. Sorry Mountaineers (including Brad Paisley, who was awesome in concert when he came to UGA this Thursday), but Howard will not do near enough to shock the Bears this weekend.
RB: Interesting note for this Saturday: Wendell Smallwood ($6,200) is not 100%. Will he still play and get his normal workload? More than likely. But, I’m intrigued by Rushel Shell ($4,100) who’s seen an uptick in carries the past two weeks. We haven’t seen fruition on the fantasy front, but the volume is nice. Smallwood is still clearly the better play, but monitor this situation…
WR: Howard will be forced to throw the ball 35+ times in this one I would imagine, and the primary beneficiary will likely be Shelton Gibson ($4,700). All of the WVU wide receivers are cheap and can be targeted but Howard spreads the ball around enough to make all of these wide receivers risky plays.
Baylor
Keeping it simple, QB Seth Russell ($9,000), RB Shock Linwood ($7,200), and WR Corey Coleman ($8,200) are all elite options and can be rostered with confidence.
Akron @ Bowling Green (-10) — O/U: 66
BOLD CALL: The Zips upset Bowling Green
Akron
QB: Thomas Woodson ($6,800) will be the reason the Zips pull off the upset. He’s tossed 7 TD’s this season and can make plays with his legs, rushing 45 times for 269 yards.
RB: Conor Hundley ($4,800) has scored 23 FPS or more 3 of his last 4 games. He’s a cheap option who should get 12-15 carries and catch a few passes out of the backfield.
WR: Jerome Lane ($4,300) is the most explosive receiver in the Zips receiving group, but I like Imani Davis ($3,000) at minimum salary. He leads the team in receptions with 19 and should be the primary beneficiary of a heavy dose of passing from Akron.
Bowling Green
Matt Johnson ($9,600) is too expensive for me; I’d rather pay up for Seth Russell. All of the top four (see DraftKings top four-priced BGSU WR’s) wide receivers are in play here, with my 1-4 being: Lewis, Moore, Dieter, Burbink for GPP’s.
Alabama (-4.5) @ Texas A&M — O/U: 54.5
This one should be one of the better ones on the afternoon. Do the Aggies win at Kyle Field? I think so.
Alabama
QB: Jake Coker ($5,900) is intriguing at his price. Perhaps the most exciting thing about his game is the surprise rushing element he can provide. It’s not something we can count on, but he could be a nice pair-up with his favorite target…
RB: A&M has a middle of the road run defense, but Derrick Henry ($7,300) has averaged just 16.5 FPPG over his past three games. I don’t see him worth paying up for on this crowded slate.
WR: That favorite target would be true freshman Calvin Ridley ($5,200). Ridley leads the team in receptions (31), yardage (385), and is tied for the lead in TDs (3). He’s been the Tide’s leading WR in this last two games and I expect him to extend that streak to three this Saturday.
Texas A&M
QB: Kyle Allen ($6,900) is yet to score below 20 FPS and has averaged 29.1 FPS over his first two SEC opponents. Sure, Alabama has a tough defense, but you can’t defend emotions and passion…
RB: Tra Carson ($4,900) is obviously in for a tough match-up, but has the upside, despite a pass-first offense. If he can find a way to get going early, watch out Bama. Carson is dominating the carries of A&M backs, toting the ball 95 times, with the next closest back sitting at 20 carries.
WR: Christian Kirk ($5,900) is the clear #1 option for Kyle Allen, averaging 25 FPPG per game. Kirk has had less than 6 receptions in a game just once all season, catching 4 passes back in a week 2 blowout. I wouldn’t trust any other A&M WR’s in this one, especially on this slate.
Michigan State @ Michigan (-6.5) — O/U: 41.5
DEFENSE. Since we cannot roster defensive players, avoid this one.
Nebraska @ Minnesota (-2) — O/U: 47.5
Once again, not a whole lot here, but pay attention to Minnesota RB Shannon Brooks ($5,000). He’s seen his workload increase, and in just his third career game, he averaged 10.4 yards per carry on 17 carries.
Oklahoma (-4) @ Kansas State — O/U: 54.5
Oklahoma
QB: Baker Mayfield ($8,000) is still a bit too expensive for my taste. I think the over/under will definitely hit the over, so if you use Mayfield, I can’t fault you. He should be in for a nice game vs. KSU’s abysmal pass defense that ranks 116th in the nation.
RB: Samaje Perine ($6,000) has been a disappointment this season, after setting high expectations when he broke the FBS rushing record last season. KSU has been stingy vs. the run, allowing just 105.2 yards per game on average, but this is such a great price for Perine that he may be worth “buying low” on in GPP’s.
WR: Mayfield loves to spread the ball around, but Sterling Shepard ($5,900) is still my favorite. He’s caught 6 or more passes in three of his five games this season and scored 25+ FPS in two of those. He’s not getting the type of volume we expected to see, but again, for his talent, the price is just too low to ignore.
Kansas State
QB: Joe Hubener ($5,800) will likely be a very popular play after scoring 42+ FPS last weekend. Prior to that big game, he averaged 16.02 FPS per game. His match-up is below average and I’d approach with caution until he proves he can put up more big games like last Saturday.
RB: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
WR: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
Rutgers @ Indiana (-5.5) — O/U: 65
Rutgers
QB: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
RB: NO OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
WR: Leonte Carroo ($7,000) came out of his suspension with a bang. 7 catches for 134 yards and 3 TD’s led to 41.4 FPS. He’s in a great match-up vs. Indiana who averages over 325 passing yards allowed per game.
Indiana
RB Jordan Howard ($6,000) should be back in this one and is worth a look at his price. He’s had 20 or more FPS in all of the games that he’s played (not including the one he got injured). Rutgers is solid vs. the run, allowing just 120.8 yards per game but I doubt you’ll see Howard’s price this low the rest of the season.
Virginia Tech @ Miami (FL) (-3.5) — O/U: 52
Virginia Tech
QB Michael Brewer ($5,300) should be back for the Hokies, which makes Isaiah Ford ($5,000) enticing this week. He led the team in receptions and yardage in 2014 with Brewer at the helm and he’s doing it once again this season. Miami’s pass defense has been pretty solid this season, but look for Brewer’s main man to have a solid day regardless.
Miami (FL)
RB Joseph Yearby ($6,500) is yet another player who’s price is at one of the lowest we’ve seen it this season. Take advantage. His upside is still there, and he’ll face a Hokies run defense who allows over 190 yards per game. Yearby had games of 42.3, 23, and 22.4 FPS prior to last week’s struggle vs. FSU.
Oregon State @ Washington State (-7.5) — O/U: 60
Oregon State
QB Seth Collins ($7,100) has upside, but I can’t justify paying over $7K for him. This Beaver offense is struggling but WSU’s defense is far from impressive. If you decide to roll with Collins, I’d pair him up with either Jordan Villamin ($4,500) or Victor Bolden ($3,700).
Washington State
QB: Luke Falk ($8,900) is too expensive, but his receiving group is certainly in play. Oregon State has been stingy against the pass this season, allowing just over 177 yards per game but has yet to see a passing attack like the Cougars’. All of the top three are in play (see DK pricing), with my list going: Marks, Cracraft, Williams.
Vanderbilt @ South Carolina (-2.5) — O/U: 43.5
Monitor Lorenzo Nunez’s ($5,300) status as he will be a game-time decision and offers nice upside with his mobility, but otherwise, avoid this one.
Note: Defensive rankings are based upon yardage allowed per-game.
Thanks for reading and good luck today!!!
