Welcome to week two of the 2015 college football season and my first crack at finding you the best and brightest talent on fresh cut grass. Not to worry, it isn't my first cut at building college football lineups on FanDuel, just my first take at this column. The piece could evolve over the season, but for now, I'll try to find give you advice while finding best bets and a few sleepers for Daily Fantasy College Football games.
The FanDuel CFB slate for this weekend is split into two: Thursday/Friday and Saturday. For the former, rosters lock at 8:00 Eastern Thursday night and for the ladder, at 12:00 noon Eastern Saturday. I'll do my best to locate best bets and value plays in both slates. This piece will focus on Thursday-Friday and I'll have a follow up column for the BIG Saturday schedule.
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NCAA College Football FanDuel Picks for 9/10 - 9/11
This is a really, really small slate. Like, three games small. I've put together some useful information about a few players you might consider targeting from the six teams.
CFB DFS Quarterback Picks for FanDuel
Jeff Driskel (QB, Louisiana Tech) - $8,000
The former Gator had quite the debut in his Bulldog uniform, throwing for 275 and four touchdowns and rushing for 15 yards and an additional score in a 62-15 romp over Southern. Driskel looked comfortable in the new offense, was quite efficient (12-of-15 on pass attempts) and certainly looked happy to be out of the toxic situation he was in down in Gainesville. Tonight, the competition will be much stiffer as LT faces off in a conference clash with Western Kentucky, who knocked off Vanderbilt 14-12 week one.
Stiffer competition, however, doesn't necessarily equal offensive struggles for the Bulldogs, as Vegas has pegged the Over/Under in this at 61, with LT a two point favorite. Especially early on the season, it's nice to rely on game props, spreads and point total figures from Vegas, as we don't have a lot of 2015 statistics to analyze and a lot of the early season opponents for teams are lowly FCS-level squads. The thing that makes me excited about a high over/under and a low spread is that a close game usually means an offense has their collective feet on the gas pedal from start to finish. Driskel is a solid pocket passer with a good arm, but it's nice to know he's a threat to take off and grab a chunk of yards on the ground, too. I expect
Travis Wilson (QB, Utah) - $7,500
I love me a college quarterback that is not only dual-threat, but one the offensive coordinator trusts to make plays over and over. Wilson finished week one having been trusted to drive the ball downfield 45 times - throwing the ball 33 times (completing 24 for 208 yards) and rushing it an additional 12 times, good for 53 yards and a score. Oh, and that was all against a coach in Jim Harbaugh that many consider to be a defensive juggernaut. Wilson, an experienced leader and senior, should have an easier go-at-it tonight and the team certainly won't be lacking motivation against in-state rival Utah State. I think he goes for 300+ total yards and finds the end zone a few times, too.
CFB DFS Running Back Picks for FanDuel
Leon Allen (RB, WKU) - $8,200
Especially in the early parts of the season, I'm looking for guys that aren't sharing the starting role and also factor into the passing game. Mr. Allen fits the bill here in what is expected to be a back-and-forth, high scoring shootout. Of all the running backs priced higher than he, only Devontae Booker had more carries. Allen factors into the passing game, too, and caught four balls week one for 19 yards. He isn't just a check-down option for Travis Wilson, and should continue to factor in the passing game.
Jay Warren (RB, FAU) - $6,000
Vegas expects Miami to win fairly comfortably in this one (17.5 point favorites over FAU), but they sure are expecting a good deal of points, too, with an over/under set at 55. Warren saw the bulk of carries for FAU last year and this game shouldn't be any different. Warren is capable of busting tackles, long runs, and has a few games under his belt with 20+ carries. With all the uncertainty about who the starting running back is for the Canes and the running back by committee rumors, I think Warren is a safer (and cheaper) play than several of the Miami backs priced higher than he. Warren also plays with an erratic quarterback and if the passing game isn't clicking, he could see even more carries.
CFB DFS Wide Receiver Picks for FanDuel
Taywan Taylor (WR, WKU) - $6,300
I'm hoping a pretty boring/blah/meh week one performance from Taylor (three catches, 40 yards) brings FanDuelers to pass on him in week two. Make no mistake, WKU is a high-flying offense that plans on doing most of its damage through the air. One of the biggest reasons they should be successful in the respect this season is thanks to the talents of Mr. Taylor. He put up some big numbers last season and he's a deep threat any time he steps onto the field. I expect him to be a pretty big factor in what's expected to be a high scoring contest.
Rashawn Scott (WR, MIA) - $6,900
The uber-athletic Rashwan Scott was clearly the best receiver on the field in week one and was the only Miami receiver to catch more than two passes. He should be a great play in this slate as he's a capable playmaker (yards after catch) and it sure seems like he is the favorite target of quarterback Brad Kaaya. Though six catches for 100 yards and a score last week is nothing to dismiss, the only thing that really limited him from going past the century mark was the blowout score. Miami is a comfortable favorite, but Scott should see more minutes - and thus targets/catches - here in week two.
CFB DFS Tight End Picks for FanDuel
Standish Dobard (TE, MIAMI) - $3,000
To be quite frank, the tight end crop for this Thursday-Friday slate is pretty underwhelming. The board is littered with newcomers and guys that rarely get any targets - or have yet to, at least. Besides having the clear-cut best first name, I believe Dobard is the best option on the tight end board tonight. In week one, he finished with two catches and a score. While I can't promise he finds the end zone again, the nice thing about Dobard is that he should see even more snaps and targets this week as two Miami receivers left last weeks game to injury and won't be in uniform tomorrow night. Miami also showed us last season that they love to get the tight end involved.
Wyatt Houston (TE, Utah State) - $2,400
If you're hurting for cash trying to fill out your last roster spot, Houston makes for an intriguing play. Utah State does get their tight ends involved in the passing game and last season, Houston eclipsed 30 yards receiving three times.
CFB DFS & College Football Chat Room
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