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After a week filled with top-25 matchups throughout the day of college football, the scheduling powers that be appear to have given fans a week off before next week's exciting slate of games. This weekend, there are only two matchups between top-25 teams. One, however does have major SEC championship implications, as the Georiga Bulldogs and Florida Gators face-off in a neutral site game in the Jacksonville Jaguars' stadium. Both teams can ill-afford another loss on their respective resumes if they want to have any dreams of reaching the College Football Playoff this season after this weekend. For DFS purposes, there are a handful of exciting matchups between low-ranked teams, such as Boston College @ Syracuse and Oregon State @ Arizona. There should be no shortage of offensive production in either game, making for elite fantasy matchups, even if the teams involved have disappointed in 2019.
Best of luck to everyone, and as always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this article, feel free to reach out to me on twitter @ThaGreatZambino!
STRATEGY NOTE
There is one fundamental difference between NFL DFS and College Football DFS, and that is lineup construction. A college football removes the tight end and defense positions from a lineup and replaces them one super flex position. The super flex position can be filled by a quarterback, running back, or wide receiver. On nearly every single slate throughout the year rostering a second quarterback in the super flex position will be optimal in both cash games and tournaments. Keep this in mind all year when building lineups.
SLATE SNAPSHOT
Listed here are the most notable games for DFS purposes. In green are games with the highest projected totals, according to betting markets, and in red are the games with the lowest projected totals on the slate. Try to avoid using too many players in any single lineup from the game(s) in red. On the other hand, the game(s) in green should provide enough points and fantasy points across the board to make multiple pieces on each team viable for fantasy lineups.
- Houston @ Central Florida | Central Florida -22, Total: 71
- NC State @ Wake Forest | Wake Forest -7.5, Total: 60.5
- Oregon State @ Arizona | Arizona -5, Total: 72
- Georgia @ Florida (neutral site) | Georgia -6, Total: 45.5
QUARTERBACK
Khalil Tate, Arizona, $7,100
On a slate devoid of the highly-priced quarterbacks that many have grown accustomed to deciding between, Khalil Tate stands out as the top option of the group. Tate, an elite dual-threat quarterback, has been erratic so far in the 2019 season, but one common theme throughout the year has been his ability to dominate sub-par defenses. In week 10, Tate takes on perhaps the weakest defense of the bunch, when the Arizona Wildcats play host to the Oregon State Beavers. Oregon State's pass defense is arguably the worst on the slate, and one of the worst of any team in a power-five conference. The Beavers field the 101st-ranked defense in the nation, according to SP+. Specifically against the pass, Oregon State's defense ranks dead-last on the slate in adjusted yards per attempt allowed through the air, and by a sizable margin. They are also the second-worst defense on the slate at limiting first downs through the air, allowing a first down every 2.73 pass attempts this season. Khalil Tate and his backup, Grant Gunnell, both see playing time, but Tate takes the majority of the snaps. Last weekend, Gunnell played three drives, with Tate taking all remaining snaps. Oregon State's pass defense is such a horrific unit that Khalil Tate, even in less-than-full action under center, projects for a strong day. At $7,100, Khalil Tate is a viable option in all formats. However, if the threat of Grant Gunnell stealing snaps is too much for your cash lineups this weekend, there are other reliable options as well. Tate's ceiling at the quarterback position, given his big-play ability on the ground, is unmatched on this slate.
Dillon Gabriel, UCF, $7,500
Dillon Gabriel shocked fans early this season when he beat out Brandon Wimbush as the starting quarterback after a few impressive relief performances for Central Florida. Although the Golden Knights have had a disappointing season relative to their sky-high preseason expectations, Gabriel has shown flashes of brilliance that inspire hope for a bright future. Gabriel averages 277 passing yards per game this season, with 3 330-yard passing days in total. Gabriel's numbers have been inconsistent throughout the season, struggling in losses to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. However, this week 10 matchup against the Houston Cougars, a program in flux, is a dream matchup for Central Florida. The Golden Knights are projected by betting markets to score a whopping 46 points this weekend, and there should be plenty of offensive production to go around, both on the ground and through the air. Expect Gabriel and the Golden Knights' offense to throttle the Houston Cougars, who are perhaps the first collegiate football program to intentionally tank a season (LINK). This weekend, against Houston's pass defense that ranks third-worst on the slate in adjusted yards per attempt allowed, Dillon Gabriel has 300-yard and 4-touchdown potential. His floor is as high as ever, given the Golden Knights' uncanny team total, and he makes for a strong cash or tournament option at $7,500.
Tommy DeVito, Syracuse, $6,400
Tommy DeVito, a highly touted quarterback recruit leading into last season, has had an inconsistent first season as Syracuse's starting quarterback. Last year, as a freshman, DeVito sat behind four-year starter Eric Dungey during what was one of the Orange's most successful seasons in recent memory. This year, when DeVito assumed the starting role, there was a steep learning curve for him early in the season. DeVito struggled against Liberty in the season opener but salvaged respectable passing totals in Syracuse's embarrassing week two loss to Maryland. Since then, DeVito has impressed against bottom-tier defenses, while struggling against the top-end secondaries on Syracuse's schedule. Fortunately, this week, the Syracuse Orange play host to the Boston College Golden Eagles, a fast-paced team that sports one of the worst defenses in the entire country. Boston College's mark of 8.5 adjusted yards per attempt allowed ranks second-worst on the slate, and their 2.7 pass attempts per first down allowed ranks dead-last amongst teams on the DraftKings main slate of games. Neither of these numbers is adjusted for the strength of schedule the team has faced this season, which actually makes BC look better than they are defensively. The Golden Eagles have faced the third-easiest schedule of any team on the main slate of games this week. This horrific defensive performance, coupled with the up-tempo offensive style of Boston College's offense, will maximize the scoring opportunities for the Syracuse Orange offense. Playing at home, inside the friendly confines of the Carrier Dome, Tommy DeVito is primed for a massive day in week 10. While he has been inconsistent to start the season, there are very few consistent and viable quarterback options to choose from this week. The matchup against Boston College's defense is too good to ignore, and DeVito makes for an elite cash game and tournament option this weekend.
SECONDARY OPTION
Devon Leary, NC State, $6,000
In week 10, Devon Leary will become the third different quarterback to start under center for the NC State Wolfpack after a very disappointing first nine weeks of the 2019 campaign. The Wolfpack were poised for a let-down in 2019 following an incredible offensive season in 2018. They lost their starting quarterback and top two pass-catchers from their record-setting 2018 offense, and their replacements were highly inexperienced across the board. Then, to make matters worse, their third-leading pass-catcher and their top returning wide receiver tore his ACL in the 2019 season-opener. Devon Leary has seen limited action in 2019, but he came in in relief in NC State's last game and posted 259 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. This impressive performance was enough to earn Leary the start here in week 10 when the Wolfpack head to Wake Forest to take on the Demon Deacons' struggling defense. Wake Forest's mark of 7.8 adjusted yards per pass attempt ranks sixth-worst on the slate, and their 2.88 pass attempts per first down allowed are third-worst on the slate. Once again, these numbers are unadjusted for opponent, and Wake Forest's schedule has been exceptionally soft this season, facing the fourth-easiest schedule of any team on the DraftKings main slate of games. Overall, this is a high-risk option, as there are very little data and information about Devon Leary as a quarterback. However, his bottom-dollar price of $6,000 is very enticing, especially in a matchup against Wake Forest's porous pass defense. Here in week 10, Leary is a fantastic salary-saving tournament option; however, he is likely too much of an unknown to warrant consideration in cash games.
RUNNING BACK
J.J. Taylor, Arizona, $5,700
J.J. Taylor stands out at the running back position as the premier cash-game option of the week here on the week 10 main slate of games. Since returning from injury, Taylor has registered at least 20 touches in all 3 games, and now he gets to face off against Oregon State's bottom-ranked defense. Oregon State enters this week's game against Arizona, allowing a stunning 191.6 rushing yards per game, by far the worst mark on the slate. Then, turning towards solely measures of efficiency, rather than volume, they rank bottom-four on the slate in both yards per carry allowed and attempts per first down allowed against opposing rushing attacks. In an expectedly-up-tempo matchup between two struggling PAC 12 programs, the Arizona Wildcats have a significant leg-up on the Beavers, playing the game at home as nearly six-point favorites. There will be no shortage of action for J.J. Taylor this week, and, after posting at least 21.6 DraftKings points in 2 of his 3 games since returning from injury, he is poised for another strong rushing and receiving performance. Last weekend, K.J. Costello and Cameron Scarlett were noted as a top-end combination at quarterback and running back from the same team, which paid off with over 50 DraftKings points from the duo. This weekend, Khalil Tate and J.J. Taylor make for an elite pair in all formats to gain exposure to Arizona's offense taking on the horrific defense of the Oregon State Beavers.
Otis Anderson, Central Florida, $5,400
The Central Florida Golden Knights' backfield is depleted in week 10, as they enter the game with two of their top three running backs at less-than-100-percent. Greg McCrae will miss their game against the Houston Cougars, while Adrian Killins will play, but he has not carried the ball more than four times in a game in over a month as he deals with a lingering ankle injury. In the absence of the other two top-end running backs in the Golden Knights' backfield, Otis Anderson has stepped up as the number-one running back in Josh Heupel's offense. Over the last two games, Anderson has tallied 17 and 18 carries, respectively, including a 205-yard, 1-touchdown, 28.5-DraftKings point performance last weekend against the Temple Owls. This weekend, in a larger role than Anderson ever anticipated having in such a crowded running back situation, he gets to take on the bottom-ranked Houston Cougars' run defense. The Cougars rank dead-last on the slate, allowing an enormous 5.1 yards per carry. On the season, opposing offenses are moving the chains for a first down every 3.9 rushing attempts against Houston, the second-worst mark on the DraftKings main slate of games. This weekend, as 3-touchdown favorites projected to score over 45 points, there will be no shortage of offensive production for the Central Florida Golden Knights, and Otis Anderson projects to play a massive role in the offense once again. At just $5,400, Anderson is an elite option for both cash games and tournaments this weekend, and in such a high-scoring environment, rostering multiple UCF offensive weapons is a viable strategy in all contest formats.
A.J. Dillon, Boston College, $7,800
A.J. Dillon, Boston College's bell-cow running back, is one of the most consistent rushing producers in all of college football. Dillon has recorded at least 100 rushing yards or 1 touchdown in every game this season, and aside from a brutal matchup against Clemson's top-ranked defense, Dillon has scored no less-than 16.0 DraftKings points in any game this season. With at least 19 touches in every game this season, Dillon's workload is as consistent as nearly any running back in the nation. In week 10, Dillon and the Boston College offense head up to Syracuse to face the Orange's horrific run defense that is coming in having just allowed Cam Akers to run for 144 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 46.54-DraftKings point performance last weekend. The Orange struggle mightily in the trenches, allowing over two touchdowns per game on the ground this season against one of the nation's easier schedules. This weekend's matchup between struggling ACC foes is poised to be one of the fastest games of the week, as both teams rank in the top four on the slate in plays run/defended per game. Week 10's slate features two top-end running backs, both of whom are exceptionally consistent producers, but the A.J. Dillon's matchup against Syracuse's poor run defense gives him a leg up as the highest-projected rushing producer of the week. His $7,800 price tag will not be easy to fit into lineups, but if possible A.J. Dillon makes for a strong candidate in both cash and tournament lineups this weekend against the Syracuse Orange.
SECONDARY OPTION
Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State, $8,300
Chuba Hubbard's 2019 campaign has been one of the most impressive performances of any player, regardless of position. Hubbard likely deserves a spot in the Heisman discussion this season; however, Oklahoma State's shortcomings as a 5-3 team hold him back. This season, Hubbard has registered at least 116 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown in every game against FBS competition this year, with a minimum output of 23.6 DraftKings points. This weekend, however, Hubbard and the Oklahoma State Cowboys face the toughest defensive opponent they have all season; the TCU Horned Frogs. The Horned Frogs have allowed just 3.4 yards per carry this season, one of the best marks on the slate. Overall, TCU's opponents have moved the chains just once every 6.2 rushing attempts in 2019, the second-best number on the slate. While Hubbard has proven to be matchup-proof thus far in 2019, he has yet to face an opponent as impressive defensively as the TCU Horned Frogs. Hubbard's production is certainly bolstered by the schematic genius of offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson, who consistently creates rushing lanes for Hubbard through the use of unique and creative run-blocking techniques. Earlier this week, the Oklahoma State offense lost Tylan Wallace to a season-ending knee injury he sustained during practice. Wallace, one of the best wide receivers in all of college football, played a massive role in Oklahoma State's offense, and without him, the Cowboys will likely turn to Hubbard to make up for the absence of one of their premier offensive weapons. Ultimately, Chuba Hubbard is set up for as large of a workload as he can handle in week 10 against TCU. However, a difficult matchup will likely limit his efficiency numbers, making him a far riskier option this weekend than he has been in weeks past. At $8,300, it is tough to stomach Hubbard in cash games, but the top-tier volume means his ceiling is as high as any running back on the slate. Turn to Chuba Hubbard in tournaments, rather than cash games this weekend, as the Oklahoma State Cowboys try to figure out what life will be like without Tylan Wallace in the mix.
WIDE RECEIVER
This weekend, the best values at the wide receiver position stand out at the top-end of the player pool. Paying up at wide receiver while saving salary elsewhere will likely be a popular and sharp strategy this weekend in all formats.
Wan'Dale Robinson, Nebraska, $5,900
Wan'Dale Robinson, much like the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a whole, entered the 2019 season with a hype train that was running much faster than anyone could have reasonably justified. Following an other-worldly freshman campaign from Rondale Moore for the Purdue Boilermakers, pundits across the board were looking to pinpoint who the "next Rondale Moore" was going to be. Nebraska's football program certainly did nothing to slow down this hype train, gushing over Robinson's athletic ability at every possible opportunity throughout the preseason. Robinson went through a tumultuous start to his collegiate career, opening the season with three straight sub-8.4-DraftKings point performances. In week 4, however, Robinson erupted for 42.8 DraftKings points against the Illinois Fighting Illini. One primary change between the first three games in which Wan'Dale Robinson struggled and his week four eruption was his rushing totals. Head coach Scott Frost moved Wan'Dale Robinson into the backfield and handed the ball to him 19 times in week four. Frost acknowledged that the Cornhuskers' offense is at its best when Robinson has the ball, and the easiest way to get the ball to him with a struggling passing attack is to simply hand it off to him. Robinson continued to play a significant role in the passing attack, leading the team with 6.1 targets per game throughout the season. Robinson's rushing production has been inconsistent. Still, without Maurice Washington in the mix due to off-the-field issues, he has been the team's number one running back in Nebraska's best offensive performances. This weekend, against Purdue's 74th-ranked defense, according to SP+, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are expected to score nearly 30 points. Wan'Dale Robinson, at just $5,900, is one of the best wide receiver options on the entire slate here in week 10. With at least 27 DraftKings points in 3 out of his last 5 games, Robinson's ceiling of production far outpaces his middling price tag, and it is easily reachable for such a highly-involved and talented offensive weapon in one of the fastest-paced offenses on the slate.
Gabriel Davis, Central Florida, $7,600
Gabriel Davis is in the midst of one of the most impressive five-game stretches of any wide receiver in the nation this season. With at least 33 DraftKings points in 4 out of his last 5 performances, Davis has emerged as Dillon Gabriel's favorite target in the Golden Knights' prolific offense. Davis is commanding an insane 13.2 targets per game over his last 5 outings, and he ranks 5th nationally in total targets this season. This weekend, the Golden Knights are projected to total over 45 points against the Houston Cougars' horrific defense. The Cougars field the third-worst pass defense on the slate, allowing 8.45 adjusted yards per attempt on the season. Dillon Gabriel and Gabriel Davis should have no trouble shredding this reeling defense in week 10, making up the premier quarterback-wide receiver pairing on the slate. Overall, in either cash games or tournaments, getting some exposure to UCF's offense is almost a requirement for DraftKings lineups this weekend. Multiple pieces of the offensive attack would be preferred, and pair any two of Dillon Gabriel, Otis Anderson, and Gabriel Davis is viable in all formats. For risk-tolerant players, all three are acceptable in cash lineups, as they should each carry significant ownership in week 10. In previous weeks, a stack of this nature has been a contrarian tournament strategy, but these three players all stand out as top-tier options at their respective positions. For that reason, stacking all three top-tier UCF offensive weapons will not be exceptionally contrarian in week 10, but the ceiling of this group is unmatched on the DraftKings main slate of games.
Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State, $7,700
Isaiah Hodgins ranks second in the nation with 11.9 targets per game in 2019, and this weekend he goes up against a bottom-tier Arizona Wildcats secondary. Last weekend, K.J. Costello and the Stanford Cardinal offense shredded the Arizona defense for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. Hodgins opened the season with 5 consecutive games of at least 22.6 DraftKings points. Although his last 2 outings have been less efficient, with 14.6 and 15.7 DraftKings points, respectively, these two games were inarguably the two toughest defenses Oregon State has faced all season. The Utah Utes field one of the best secondaries in the entire nation, with two elite cornerbacks locking down both sides of the field, and the California Golden Bears are one of the best-coached units in the country. This weekend's matchup for Oregon State is the polar opposite of these last two outings, as Arizona lacks talent defensively, and they are also one of the worst-coached defenses in the nation. At $7,700, Isaiah Hodgins is a pricey receiving option this weekend, but in a matchup against an Arizona defense that has allowed a slate-worst 310.9 passing yards per game this season, he is primed for a 30-point outing. Deciding between him and Gabriel Davis, if both cannot fit into your lineup, is a tough choice this weekend. Hodgins has the higher floor between the two, posting over 22.6 DraftKings points in every matchup against a not-elite defense this season, but Davis likely has the edge with a higher ceiling of production. Consider Hodgins in both cash and tournament lineups this weekend as he faces off with Arizona's poor excuse for a pass defense.
Trishton Jackson, Syracuse, $6,700
Trishton Jackson disappointed last weekend, posting just 10.5 DraftKings points against the Florida State Seminoles, but the underlying numbers were encouraging. Jackson commanded 10 targets in the game, and he has led the Syracuse Orange in targets in 6 out of 8 games this season. So far, in 2019, Jackson is the fifth-most targeted player on the entire DraftKings main slate of games, and a matchup against Boston College's horrific defense is an elite situation for Jackson to erupt following a dud in week 9. Jackson will likely be a low-owned option following two straight sub-13-DraftKings point performances, but his ceiling is enormous, especially considering his $6,700 price tag. Jackson should likely be priced closer to the top-end options like Gabriel Davis and Isaiah Hodgins this weekend; however, given the inconsistency of Syracuse's passing attack in 2019, his price is greatly suppressed. Boston College's pass defense ranks second-to-last on the main slate in adjusted yards per attempt allowed and dead-last in attempts per first down allowed. All the while, the Golden Eagles have faced the third easiest schedule on the slate. Boston College's offense is also one of the fastest on the slate, which maximizes the scoring opportunities for both their offense and their opponents' offenses. Expect the Syracuse passing attack, playing at home in the Carrier Dome to get back on track in week 10, and Trishton Jackson will almost certainly play a large role in their bounceback. Jackson can be easily stacked with quarterback Tommy DeVito as a low-owned and high-ceiling quarterback-wide receiver duo this weekend. Jackson is primarily a tournament candidate this weekend; however, he is also a viable candidate for risk-tolerant cash lineups as a pivot away from either Gabriel Davis or Isaiah Hodgins.