Below is our game-by-game previews on which players should be considered on your roster as well as which players you may want to stay away from.
Florida International At Indiana
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread:
O/U: 56
Florida International
RB – Alex Gardner- $5,400
Analysis:
Alex Gardner showed last week, that he is a running back that is going to be counted on in the passing game. Catching 5 catches for 74 yards is great for a running back in a 15-14 game last week. What is even more impressive is that his longest reception was only 27 yards. Indiana’s defense is not good as they allowed 48 points to Southern Illinois last week, so Gardner should be in a prime position to improve off of his 75 yards rushing and 74 yards receiving that he had last week.
Recommendation:
At this price, Gardner is one of the best plays of this slate for both GPP and cash games
WR- Jonnu Smith- $4,000
Analysis:
Very rarely are we going to recommend a tight end on Draftkings due to being classified as wide receivers. However Jonnu is one of those tight ends who in reality is more of a wide receiver than a tight end. While UCF last week took him out of the game limiting him to 3 catches for 18 yards, he should have a nice rebound game versus an awful Indiana defense.
Recommendation:
If you’re looking to punt at the WR position, Jonnu is a great guy to do it with, as he is so cheap, that he should be able to easily meet value
Indiana
WR: Ricky Jones-$5,100
Analysis:
One of the big questions in this off-season was who was going to be the guy to watch for at the Indiana wide receiver position. That question was quickly answered week one when Ricky Jones had 6 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown in week one. While he is undersized at 5’10 185 pounds he is one of the faster wide receivers on Indiana
Recommendation:
At $5,100 Jones is one of the top wide receiving options, as his upside is great in what should be a good matchup.
Idaho at USC
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: USC-44.5
O/U: 66.5
Idaho
There are no fantasy relevant players on Idaho in what should be a blowout.
USC
RB- Tre Madden- $7,500
Analysis:
While it is not typically ideal, that in a game that is expected to get out of hand very quickly, Tre Madden showed last week that he still has value in these blowout type games. He had 12 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown in a 55-6 game.
Recommendation: If we are going to pay up for a running back that is $7,500, we are going to want him to get more than just 12 carries, spend up elsewhere.
Oregon at Michigan State
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: Michigan State -5.5
O/U: 67.5
Oregon
QB: Vernon Adams Jr.- $8,600
Analysis:
Vernon Adams showed a running ability that he had previously not shown at Eastern Washington. He ran for 94 yards last week, and should continue this in the game of the week against Michigan State. Vernon Adams will be a key piece as if there is a weakness in Michigan State’s defense it is their secondary.
Recommendation:
While it is a tough matchup, if Oregon is going to stay in this game, they’re going to need Vernon Adams Jr. to win this game. He is recommended in both cash games and GPP’s as he should have a strong performance in primetime.
Michigan State
QB- Connor Cook- $8,200
Analysis:
Oregon allowed 42 points to Eastern Washington last weekend including allowing a quarterback to pass for 293 yards and 3 TD’s. Connor Cook is significantly better than the quarterback at Eastern Washington, and with this game setting up to be a shootout should have a significant role in this offense as he is one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
Recommendation: Connor Cook is a safe quarterback for cash games, and is not recommended for GPP’s as he will be over-owned due to his NFL pedigree. He does not possess the upside that other quarterbacks on this slate have.
WR- Aaron Burbridge- $5,000
Analysis:
Aaron Burbridge showed that he is going to step into the deep threat role that Tony Lippett played last year. He had 4 catches for 117 yards last week, and the 6’1 210lb receiver has the size and role to have a huge game against Oregon.
Recommendation:
Connor Cook loves to pass the ball around to a number of different receivers, but Burbridge has the ability to step into a major role, and is a strong GPP play this week.
RB- LJ Scott- $4,100
Analysis:
Most of the hype went to Madre London last week as he got the two touchdowns, but if you watched the game, LJ had a major role in this offense, and is the most talented running back on this team. As the game progressed the freshman was out on the field more and more, and ended up with the same number of carries as London. There is some risk here in case London gets the goal line carries.
Recommendation:
London and Scott should see a split role, so if you’re looking to punt at the RB position, Scott makes a great punt play to save some money.
Rice at texas
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: Texas -14.5
O/U: 48.5
Rice-
There is no one that is fantasy relevant for Rice.
Texas-
RB- Johnathan Gray- $6,100
Analysis:
If there is one player that Texas is going to have to use to win games this year it is going to be Gray. He is the most prolific talent on the offense and while he only had 8 carries versus Notre Dame due to the way the game went, he had 5 yards per carry which he should easily surpass versus Rice. We fully expect a heavy workload from Gray in this game.
Recommendation:
His price is a little bit odd, as he is in the middle between the studs and the punts, but he should prove to be a valuable play in both cash games and has enough value for a GPP as he has 2-3 touch down upside.
South Alabama at nebraska
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: Nebraska -27
O/U: 54
South Alabama-
There are no relevant players on South Alabama
Nebraska
WR- Jordan Westerkamp- $6,200
Recommendation:
Westerkamp has shown he is the top receiving option in this Nebraska offense. The receiver has shown that he is a receiver who is much more than a possession receiver, and can burn the opposing defense deep.
Analysis:
The price is a little bit too high in a blowout, as this game should feature a run heavy offense.
RB- Terrell Newby
Recommendation:
Take your pick on this game, as they’re likely to both receive equal carries with an equal opportunity at a touchdown in this game.
Analysis:
If you’re looking to punt at running back pick between him and Cross, as the Nebraska offense should be very run heavy.
RB- Imani Cross-
Recommendation:
Take your pick on this game, as they’re likely to both receive equal carries with an equal opportunity at a touchdown in this game.
Analysis:
If you’re looking to punt at running back pick between him and Cross, as the Nebraska offense should be very run heavy.
Temple at cincinnati
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: Cincinnati -6
O/U: 54
Temple-
QB- P.J. Walker- $6,000
Recommendation:
Throw away P.J. Walker’s game against Penn State last weekend. Penn State has one of the best defenses in college football, and Temple had a lead most of the game will full confidence in their defense. P.J. is a quarterback who can beat you with both his arm and his feet, and should have a great day against a Cincinnati offense that historically has been very poor.
Analysis:
P.J. Walker makes for a very good QB2 in what should be a very competitive game. He plays such a huge part of this offense, and should be a guy who should easily make value.
Cincinnati-
Temple’s defense is one of the best in college football as they proved last week in sacking Christian Hackenberg 10 times. This is not a good matchup for Cincinnati, and should largely be avoided.
Tulsa at New Mexico
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: New Mexico -6
O/U: 73
Tulsa-
QB: Dane Evans- $7,800
Analysis-
Dane Evans showed last week that he is one of the more under the radar quarterbacks in college football. Last week he had 424 yards and 2 touchdowns. It helps when you have two stud wide receivers in Keevan Lucas and Keyarris Garrett. New Mexico showed very little last week in playing Mississippi Valley State, but historically have not had a great defense which aligns to the over/under.
Recommendation:
Dane Evans makes for a solid start at quarterback in this game as he is a guy who is in an offense that is going to throw a high number of passes.
Analysis:
Dane Evans makes for a great start at quarterback in cash games, but does not have the upside to be a GPP play due to his inability to run the football
WR: Keevan Lucas- $8,900
Analysis-
Keevan Lucas is the top wide receiving option in college football, he is in a high scoring game which makes him even more valuable.
Recommendation:
If you can fit him in your lineup, do it as he is as safe as they come at the wide receiving position, and has the upside to dominate any game he plays in.
New Mexico-
QB- Lamar Jordan- $5,300
Analysis:
Expectations aren’t high here as Lamar Jordan is not a great player, but he is in a very high scoring game and facing a poor defense that he should be able to exploit.
Recommendation:
He is the one of the top punt quarterbacks in a GPP this weekend as his running ability makes him a great option in a high scoring game.
RB: Jhurrell Pressley- $5,100
Recommendation:
Not going to spend any time on this, he is the top option at running back this week. He only had 10 carries last week as the game was a blowout, but should play a significant role in the offense this week.
Analysis:
Pressley is a must start, plug him in and move on.
LSU at mississippi state
Kickoff: 9:15 PM EST
Spread: LSU -3.5
O/U: 52.5
Mississippi State:
There are no fantasy recommendations for Mississippi State, this game is expected to be very low scoring, and the prices for Mississippi State are not favorable.
LSU:
RB: Leonard Fournette-$8,800
Analysis:
Leonard Fournette is one of the most talented running backs in college football, so he has to be considered every single week. The challenge is that he is facing a very strong defense in Mississippi State in what should be a relatively low scoring game.
Recommendation:
Leonard Fournette is a guy who you can be contrarian and start him, but he should not be used in cash games as he is not a safe option when comparing him to his price.
Boise State at BYU
Kickoff: 10:15 PM EST
Spread: Boise State -3
O/U: 57
Boise State
RB- Jeremy McNichols- $7,700
Analysis:
Jeremy McNichols has shown that the unclear situation at running back is incredibly clear. He is the guy that is going to take over Jay Ajayi’s role last year, and while he only had 3.7 yards per carry he is getting enough volume to be a solid consideration every single game. BYU is a tough defense, so it isn’t an ideal matchup, but McNichols will get enough volume to be in fantasy consideration.
Recommendation:
Avoid McNichols as the price point is not ideal considering that he is someone who is a volume type running back. He is facing a very strong defense that shut down the running attack of Nebraska last week. There are better options to spend your salary on this week.
BYU
In this large slate there are better options than to take any BYU players
San Jose State at Air force
Kickoff: 10:15 PM EST
Spread: Air Force -5
O/U: 58.5
San Jose State
RB- Tyler Ervin- $4,900
Analysis:
Tyler Ervin showed his talent last week in a 43-13 win over New Hampshire. He had 20 carries for 127 yards and 3 TD’s. The offense is going to run through him as the season progresses and should be fantasy relevant every time that San Jose State is on the slate. The Air Force matchup is not nearly as good as last week when he played New Hampshire, but he should still be able to have a productive game this weekend
Recommendation:
Start Tyler Ervin at this price as he has tremendous upside.
Air Force-
In the triple option offense, it is difficult to recommend a player in this offense as there is no safe option due to the inconsistency in touches.
UCF at Stanford
Kickoff: 10:30 PM EST
Spread: Stanford -20
O/U: 46.5
UCF
Avoid UCF, this week, as they’re in a tough situation in an incredibly low scoring game and are huge underdogs.
Stanford:
QB- Kevin Hogan- $5,700
Recommendation:
Kevin Hogan is not as bad as what his statistics showed last week. While he is never going to wow you with the stats, what he has shown is that he is consistent over the last few years, and should have a solid game as Stanford looks to get him back on track this week.
Analysis:
Kevin Hogan is one of the top punt quarterbacks in this slate, and is highly recommended due to his price, he has to do very little to make value and allows you to have a significant upgrade at other positions.
UCLA At UNLV
Kickoff: 10:30PM EST
Spread: UCLA -32
O/U: 65.5
UCLA-
Josh Rosen
Analysis:
He was one of the top quarterback recruits in the nation last year, and in his first game versus Virginia he proved that they hype is real. He had 351 yards passing with 3 touchdowns. He fits the prototypical drop back passer, and should be a great quarterback at UCLA for the next four years.
Recommendation
He should be under-owned due to being a freshman and the blowout potential, but is a solid GPP option as the team should keep him in longer than a typical blowout game due as part of his development.
RB-Soso Jamabo- $4,400
Analysis:
The under-the-radar freshman on this UCLA team is Soso Jamabo. He is someone who is one of the top running back recruits in the nation and showed why last week with 9 carries and 79 yards. He should continue to see carries in this potential blowout in order to save some touches from Paul Perkins.
Recommendation:
He makes for a decent punt play due to his ability to get garbage time points, as well as his price.
UNLV
This game should be a blowout and there are no recommended options at UNLV