College Daily Plays: Week Three

As we enter week three of the college football season, FanDuel is offering a great slate of contests for the early slate of games this Saturday. Below is a list of names for each of the skill positions broken down into three different categories; high, medium and low cost for their respective positions who I like for this week. The key when playing daily fantasy is to try and create a lineup in which you maximize the value of your selections based on their respective cost.

Quarterbacks

High Cost: $8,500-$9,200
Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky ($8,900)

After a slow start during week one versus Vanderbilt, Doughty looked more like himself last week putting up 441 passing yards and one touchdown in week two. This week, Western Kentucky is a one point underdog against Indiana with an over-under of 69.5. Even at a high price, I believe Doughty is worth it if you can fit him in, as I expect a close, high scoring game where he should contribute at least three or four touchdowns.

Others to consider: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma ($9,000)

Medium Cost: $6,500-$8,400
Dane Evans, Tulsa ($6,700)

Evans has thrown for over 300 yards and two touchdowns each of the first two weeks of the season. This week he will be asked to throw the ball possibly over 50 times as Tulsa is traveling on the road to play Oklahoma. As 31-point underdogs and with an over/under at 71.5 points, Evans will accumulate a lot of yards in the second half and probably a few touchdowns. While he may throw an interception or two, I believe with all the attempts, he will collect enough yards and touchdowns (especially in the second half when the game is no longer in question) that he becomes a great value play this week.

Others to consider: Thomas Sirk, Duke ($6,600), DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame ($6,500)

Low Cost: under $6,500
Nick Arbuckle, Georgia State ($4,800)

Arbuckle makes for an interesting play this week if you are looking for a cheap option to give you flexibility at receiver and running back. Georgia State is heading on the road to play Oregon, who is coming off a loss and will be looking to pour it on this week. With that said, as 43-point underdogs and an over/under of 72.5, Arbuckle, similar to Evans, will end up passing the ball over 50 times. Each of the first two weeks he has thrown the ball 43 times, and the pass offense is the focal point of the Georgia State offense. If you are willing to gamble at some second half, garbage time production, Arbuckle makes for a nice value play this week.

Others to consider: Tyler Stewart, Nevada ($5,000)

 

Running Backs

High Cost: $8,400-$9,500

Leonard Fournette, LSU ($8,400)

Coming off a great performance last week where he carried the ball 28 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns, Fournette and LSU are traveling to play Auburn on the road. While LSU is favored by seven, I expect a close game as Auburn looks to rebound after their poor performance against Jacksonville State last week. Fournette should be involved in the offensive attack all four quarters and be the focal point of the offense. If I am going to pay up for any of the premiere running backs this week, it will be for Fournette.

Others to consider: Ezekiel Elliot, Ohio State ($9,500)

Medium Cost: $6,500-$8,400
Jordan Howard, Indiana ($8,300)

Howard has started off the year in fantastic fashion, rushing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in the first two games of the season. While Indiana was concerned about how they were going to replace Tevin Coleman, Howard has stepped up and been the focal point of the offense. Playing in one of the highest scoring projected games of the week, I expect Howard to run all over Western Kentucky, who has had difficulty stopping the run. I would be surprised if Howard did not have over a 150 total yards and two touchdowns this week.

Others to consider: CJ Prossie, Notre Dame ($7,800), Josh Ferguson, Illinois ($7,100)

Low Cost: under $6,500
Patrick Skov, Georgia Tech ($5200)

Skov is one of the better value plays of the week I found. After rushing for three touchdowns and 72 yards in week one, he followed it up with 50 yards and one touchdown in week two. While the low yardage total may concern you, understand Georgia Tech won each of those games by over 50 points, so they spread the carries amongst many running backs. This week, with a tough game against Notre Dame, I feel Skov will get between 18 and 20 carries and is a threat to score multiple times against the Fighting Irish. While the week to week consistency in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns can fluctuate in a triple read option offense, I believe Skov is worth the investment this week.

Others to consider: Mark Walton, Miami ($6,000), Peyton Barber, Auburn ($6,400)

Wide Receivers

High Cost: $7,000 or more
Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma ($7,700)

While Shepard is the most expensive receiver on the early slate of games, I believe he may out produce that cost. Tulsa has a difficult time stopping teams on offense and Shepard could be in line for a big day with over 100 yards receiving and multiple touchdowns. If you are willing to spend at the receiver position, I want to be invested in a game with a high over-under like this and where a team struggles playing defense.

Others to consider: Braxton Miller, Ohio State ($7,100), Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M ($7,300)

Medium Cost: $6,000-$6,900
Keevan Lucas, Tulsa ($6,800)

As I have discussed, this Oklahoma versus Tulsa game is one I will be using often when creating many of my lineups for this week. If you cannot afford to fit in Shepard for the extra $900, Lucas makes a great backup option. As discussed earlier, Lucas’ quarterback will be throwing the ball all over the field in this one to try and keep up with the Oklahoma offense. With probably close to 12 or more targets, I am looking for Lucas to get over a 120 yards and at least one score this week.

Others to consider: Keyarris Garrett , Tulsa ($6,600),Christian Kirk, Texas A&M ($6,300), Tajae Sharp, Temple ($6,700)

Low Cost: under $6,000
Geronimo Allison, Illinois ($5800)

One of the top values of the week is Allison, as Illinois is traveling to play North Carolina this weekend. With an over/under of 63.5 and as ten point underdogs, Allison should be targeted throughout the game as Illinois tries to pull off the upset. Allison has become quarterback Wes Lunt’s favorite target in the early part of the season, as he already has 10 receptions for 181 yards and one touchdown. Against a poor UNC defense, Allison should easily produce numbers that makes him a steal at his price point this week. I will lock Allison into just about every one of my teams this week.

Others to consider: Bug Howard, UNC ($4,500), Simmie Cobbs, Indiana ($5,200)

Tight Ends

High Cost: $3,500 or more
Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky ($3,700)

While Higbee is the highest priced tight end of the week, he is worth the cost and should be in many lineups this weekend. With 11 receptions for 190 yards in two games, it is clear Higbee is one of the focal points of the pass offense. While Doughty will spread the ball around, there are plenty of attempts for multiple offensive players to be fantasy worthy. As mentioned earlier, with an over-under near 70 points, Higbee will be heavily involved in the game plan, as he will create mismatch problems for the Indiana defense.

Others to consider: Bucky Hodges (questionable due to injury), Virginia Tech ($3,500)

Jake Butt, Michigan ($3,400)

After talking about him in my week one article, I will again focus in on Butt. It is clear he is one of the primary targets of the pass offense for Michigan, as he already has accumulated 12 receptions for 118 yards. He is a dangerous red zone threat and down the seam. While Michigan is favored by 34 points over UNLV this week, I expect Butt to make an impact early in the game and look for him to score a touchdown with four or five receptions before Michigan turns to the run game to eat up clock in the second half.

Others to consider: Josiah Price, Michigan State ($3,200)

Low Cost: under $3,000
Mark Andrews, Oklahoma ($2,600)

If you are looking to save some money at the tight end position and want to find someone really cheap, Andrews is the player I like most. As discussed at length in the article, points will be scored throughout this game, so if you are looking for a lottery ticket at the tight position, Andrews should be it. He already has had one game this season where he caught four passes for 50 yards. If he can put up a stat line like that and possibly find the end zone, he would absolutely crush his dollar amount.

Others to consider: none

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