Draftkings main slate breakdown: college week 3
College football season notoriously brings out the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in sports in almost every single way. Even the scheduling. Last week, the headlining game on the week was a clash between 2 top-10 teams, LSU and Texas, that featured a couple of high-flying offenses that lit up the scoreboard in a truly thrilling game. This week, a matchup between Iowa and Iowa State headlines the week's slate of games. While this is a storied rivalry and will end up as a battle between 2 top-25 teams, the national level of excitement for this game pales in comparison to last week's headliner. On top of that, the drop off to the week's second-best game is massive. A few of the nation's strongest teams kick off conference play in week three, but the disparity in talent between these top-teams and the rest of the country is so large, these early-season conference games likely won't make for entertaining games just yet. On the bright side, there are still DFS contests to enter in week three, and DraftKings' main slate features 12 games this week instead of 10. Included in these 12 games are some of the nation's best offenses (Ohio State, Alabama, and Oklahoma State) as well as some of the nation's most entertaining revamped offenses (Maryland, USC, and Temple.) Without further adieu, let's dive into who the top options are for building DFS lineups here in week three.
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
- MARYLAND @ TEMPLE | MARYLAND -7, TOTAL: 67
- OKLAHOMA STATE @ TULSA | OKLAHOMA STATE -14, TOTAL: 65
- ARIZONA STATE @ MICHIGAN STATE | MICHIGAN STATE -14.5, TOTAL: 42
quarterback
primary OPTIONS
spencer sanders, OKLahoma state, $9,300
Oklahoma State entered the 2019 season with a bit of controversy at the quarterback position. Following the departure of last year's starter Tyler Cornelius, freshman Spencer Sanders and senior Dru Brown battled throughout training camp for the starting job. Mike Gundy and the rest of the Oklahoma State coaching staff declined to name a starter before the team's week one bout with Oregon State. After the game, however, it was painfully obvious that Spencer Sanders is Oklahoma State's quarterback for the 2019 season. Sanders, a true dual-threat quarterback, was in full control of the offense throughout the game and finished with 203 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns, as well as 109 yards on the ground against the Beavers. In week two, Sanders and the rest of the first-team offensive unit exited the game just 12 seconds into the second half against McNeese State. In just over 2-quarters of play, they managed to light up the scoreboard for 35 points, and Spencer Sanders alone racked up 27.1 DraftKings points in that time. While Tulsa fields a more formidable defense than McNeese State does, the Oklahoma State Cowboys should have plenty of opportunities to put points on the board once again in week three. In 2018, both Oklahoma State and Tulsa ranked amongst the nation's seven-fastest offenses in adjusted pace. This rapid-fire playing style on both sides of the ball will maximize the number of possessions for Sanders and the Cowboys offense, giving him one of the highest floors and ceilings on the slate. $9,300 is certainly a steep price to pay, but in a dream matchup, Sanders is a top priority when building DraftKings lineups in all formats here in week three.
sean clifford, penn state, $7,300
Sean Clifford takes over for the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2019 following an impressive three-year stretch with Trace McSorley under center. McSorley was one of the nation's best dual-threat quarterbacks during his time at Penn State, and the team's offense was constructed around his running ability. In just his sophomore season, Clifford may already be further along as a passer than McSorley was at any point in his collegiate career. Clifford has also picked up right where McSorley left on with the ground game, running for over 50-yards in each of his first two career starts. In his third start, Clifford and the rest of the Penn State offense are expected to light up the scoreboard against a poorly coached Pittsburgh defense. The betting markets currently project Penn State for about 35 points when they host the Pitt Panthers in the friendly confines of Beaver Stadium, the fourth-highest total on the DraftKings main slate. Pittsburgh already played a power-five opponent in week one, when the Virginia Cavaliers traveled to Pittsburgh and posted 30-points. Week three will prove to be a far tougher day at the office for Pittsburgh's defense. Sean Clifford has lived up to the hype as the successor to one of the most decorated quarterbacks in school history, and Penn State's offense has been every bit as dominant as expected to start the season.
hunter johnson, northwestern, $6,200
Hunter Johnson entered college as one of the most impressive quarterback prospects in the country two years ago. Johnson transferred from Clemson to Northwestern before last season to be closer to his family in a time of need. Now, in his redshirt sophomore season, Hunter Johnson is Northwestern's starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Johnson's debut as a starter was a bumpy ride, as the Wildcats went to Stanford and were defeated 17-7. Johnson was pulled from the game following a slow start, but backup T.J. Green got injured in the game and will miss the rest of the season. After being re-inserted into the lineup, Johnson failed to move the ball consistently through the air but ran the ball frequently and efficiently aside from two big sacks. In college football, it's important to note that sacks count negatively towards the quarterbacks' rushing total. Johnson ran the ball 9 times for 46 yards in the season opener, but Stanford's impressive pass rush sacked him twice for a total of -33 yards. Fortunately, the Northwestern Wildcats had a bye week in week two, giving the team an extra week to prepare for a weak UNLV defense. UNLV's pass rush pales in comparison to Stanford's, and Johnson should throw from a far cleaner pocket here in his second start. UNLV's defenses lack the requisite talent to stifle a power-five offense like Northwestern's, and to add insult to injury; they're one of the worst-coached units in the nation. Hunter Johnson's combination of arm-talent and athleticism make him the strongest bargain-bin option at quarterback on the DraftKings main slate.
secondary options
justin fields, ohio state, $9,200
Justin Fields and Ryan Day have proven to be a quarterback-play-caller match made in heaven through two games. All of Fields' strengths as both a passer and a runner are maximized in Ryan Day's spread offense, unlike the way he would have been deployed in Georgia's offense, had he not transferred. Fields has posted at least 31 DraftKings points in each of his first two starts as a member of the Buckeyes, and he has shown no signs of slowing down. In week three, Ohio State heads to Indiana to kick-off conference play, and there is no reason to believe he is going to slow down now. Fields' rare combination of rushing and passing prowess make him as consistent as anybody at the quarterback position. His ceiling, should the Ohio State defense falter turn this game into a shootout, is higher than any other quarterback on the slate, making him an exceptional GPP play, but in cash games he ranks just behind Spencer Sanders in week three.
Dillon gabriel, ucf, $5,700
UCF announced that freshman quarterback Dillon Gabriel will continue as the team's starter once again in week three. Gabriel struggled a bit in his first collegiate start against Florida Atlantic last week, completing just 7-of-19 passes. Even without the accuracy head coach Josh Heupel had hoped for, Gabriel still posted 25.7 DraftKings points or 1.35 DraftKings points-per-attempt. In relief of the previous starter Brandon Wimbush in week one, Gabriel posted 17.08 DraftKings points on 13 pass attempts, good for 1.32 DraftKings points-per-attempt. This mind-boggling level of efficiency will almost certainly regress here in week three against a much stronger Stanford Cardinal defense. However, even if his efficiency decreases by 0.5 points-per-attempt, Gabriel only needs to attempt 25 pass attempts to eclipse 20 DraftKings points on the day. For just $5,600, 20 DraftKings points is more than serviceable, and he makes for a strong contrarian value play.
running back
primary options
chuba hubbard, oklahoma state, $8,300
Much like Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders, Chuba Hubbard has only one full-game of meaningful action under his belt in the 2019 season. The Cowboys went on the road and beat the Oregon State Beavers 52-36. Chuba Hubbard dominated on the ground from start to finish in the game, going for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns on 26 carries. Throughout the game, Hubbard's athleticism and ability to beat defenders one-on-one in space was maximized by an impressive run-blocking display by the bruisers in the trenches. Hubbard consistently ran behind multiple lead-blockers clearing the way for chunk plays all game. Oklahoma State's 62.3-percent opportunity rate, or percentage of run plays that result in a gain of 4+ yards, ranks 9th in the country. In week 3, Hubbard and the Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes. In 2018, Tulsa ranked 95th in the nation in S&P+ against the run, and they will likely remain in the bottom-third of defenses nationally in 2019. Chuba Hubbard rightly tops the charts as the highest-priced running back on DraftKings' main slate for week three. However, given his workload and efficiency with the ball in his hands, his price is not high enough above his peers. An up-tempo shootout between Oklahoma State and Tulsa here in week three raises Chuba Hubbard's already-high floor and ceiling of production to near-week one levels.
ty'son williams, byu, $4,700
Ty'Son Williams utilized the NCAA's graduate transfer rules to make the move from South Carolina to BYU this summer without missing a beat. Through two games as a member of a BYU Cougar, Williams has solidified his position as the team's best option out of the backfield, both on running and passing downs. In week one's Holy War rivalry game against Utah, the Cougars fell behind early and were forced into a pass-heavy gameplan they had hoped to avoid. In week two, against Tennessee, BYU traded punches with the Vols throughout the game and eventually won in overtime. One common theme emerged after two games: when his number is called, Williams impresses with the ball in his hands. In week three, BYU takes on a revamped USC offensive attack. The new-look USC offense is an up-tempo attack stemming from many of the same principles Mike Leach's offense is built upon. This up-tempo offense also means increased opportunity for the opposition, which bodes well for BYU. Ty'Son Williams will thrive late in the game when BYU wears down an already weak USC run defense, thus, making him a top-tier value play for just $4,700 on DraftKings.
elijah collins, michigan state, $3,000
Michigan State's offense in 2018 was abysmal. The Spartans' offense posted just 18.7 points-per-game, which ranked 126th out of 130 FBS football teams. Head coach Mark Dantonio reassigned various coaches on his staff, including the team's offensive coordinator, heading into 2019, hoping for a more robust scoring offense. Through two games, Dantonio has to be pleased, as the attack has posted at least 28 points in both outings. Michigan State also made a change at the running back position by inserting redshirt freshman Elijah Collins into the starting lineup before week two against Western Michigan. Collins ran for 192 yards on 17 carries as the starter in Michigan State's highest-scoring game since 2015 against Penn State. Collins consistently gashed the Western Michigan defense on the same shotgun runs that Michigan State's previous starters have struggled on. Elijah Collins will continue to start for Michigan State in week three against Arizona State. Priced at the site-minimum of just $3,000, Collins will almost certainly be the most popular play on the slate across all formats.
secondary options
john moten iv, northwestern, $4,000
Northwestern's starting running back Isaiah Bowser was ruled out for this week's game against UNLV because of a knee injury sustained in week one. John Moten IV will step into the starting role for the Wildcats in a fantastic matchup against one of the nation's weakest defensive fronts. Moten only saw 46 carries last season as the third option in Northwestern's backfield, but he managed over 8.4 yards on rushes the offensive line gave him a chance to make a play. Moten enters week three for just $4,000 on DraftKings, making him a fantastic value play on a slate with an abundance of bargain-bin options. Confidently roster Moten in all formats, as Northwestern's offense is consistently one of the most run-heavy in the country, providing plenty of opportunity to make good on a bottom-dollar price tag.
shamari brooks, tulsa, $4,800
Shamari Brooks assumed a bell-cow role in Tulsa's offense following an injury Corey Taylor II during their week two game against San Jose State, Tulsa's most-involved running back in week one. Brooks is a small and speedy back whose skills align perfectly with Tulsa's up-tempo offense built around the zone read. Shamari Brooks finished week two with 29 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown in Tulsa's 34-16 victory. Here in week three, Tulsa takes on a very weak Oklahoma State defense in a game that's expected to develop into a near-shootout. Oklahoma State has historically struggled to defend the run, and in 2019 it looks like it will be much of the same for the Cowboys. Brooks may not receive the same volume on the ground that he did last week, but his efficiency should make up for that. At just $4,800, Shamari Brooks is a contrarian salary saver that will see more reliable volume than most of his similarly-priced peers.
wide receiver
primary options
jerry jeudy, alabama, $8,000
Jerry Jeudy made it clear in 2018 that he belongs in the middle of "Who is the best wide receiver in college football?" debate. Jeudy's start to 2019 has seemingly turned this into a "Who is the best wide receiver in college football besides Jerry Jeudy?" debate. The simple feat of topping Alabama's depth chart at wide receiver is impressive in and of itself. Jeudy has separated himself within these ranks by earning 12 and 13 targets in weeks one and two, respectively. Both of these totals are at least twice as many as Alabama's second-most-targeted pass-catcher. Jeudy has converted this impressive volume into even more impressive production, totaling at least 32.7 DraftKings points in each game. In week three, the Crimson Tide head to South Carolina for their toughest task of the 2019 season thus far. However, Alabama is so far ahead of South Carolina that the primary difference between this game and the two prior games is simply how long the team's starters will play. Jerry Jeudy has yet to catch a pass in the fourth quarter of a game this season, which makes his already impressive statistical output even more eye-opening. In week three, Alabama enters as 25.5-point favorites according to the betting markets, the smallest spread yet this season for the team. In a closer game, the first-team offense will likely play deeper into the game to secure the victory. Higher snap counts provide increased opportunity for Jerry Jeudy to make good on his $8,000 price tag here in week three. It's tough to imagine that South Carolina has the necessary talent to stifle the nation's most-potent quarterback-wide receiver connection. Jerry Jeudy may be the safest player on the entire slate given his superior ability and exceptionally-high rate of involvement in Alabama's offense.
Sam Crawford, jr., tulsa, $4,600
In his sophomore season, Sam Crawford, Jr. is seeing his first substantial playing time of his young collegiate career. Crawford, Jr. is one of the highest-ranked recruits currently on Tulsa's roster, and over the course of his first two games in 2019, he has proven why scouting services were so fond of him. Crawford, Jr.'s role in the Tulsa passing game is clear: he needs to be the primary downfield threat, and the offense is designed to get him in space. In week one, Tulsa faced off with Michigan State's top-ranked offense. In a game where the Golden Hurricanes only totaled 7 points, Crawford, Jr. still amassed 15.9 DraftKings points. In week two, Tulsa took on a far inferior opponent in San Jose State, and Crawford, Jr. took advantage of this to the tune of 25.7 DraftKings points. In week three, Tulsa plays host to Oklahoma State and one of the nation's fastest-paced offenses. Oklahoma State's up-tempo offense provides opponents with increased opportunities to put points on the board. The Cowboys' defense also lags far behind the offense; the unit ranked 71st in the nation in defensive S&P+ throughout the 2018 season. This game has "shootout" written all over it, and Sam Crawford, Jr. is primed to be the primary beneficiary on Tulsa's side of the ball as the clear-cut number-one wide receiver. For just $4,600, Crawford, Jr. offers another strong value option at wide receiver for the week three main slate of games on DraftKings.
deshaunte Jones, iowa state, $4,600
Iowa State opened the season with a major scare against one of the top FCS teams in the country, Northern Iowa. It took the Cyclones three overtimes to finally secure a victory over Northern Iowa, and Deshaunte Jones was a major factor in the win. Jones racked up a team-high 16-targets on a bevy of underneath routes. Very rarely did Deshaunte Jones' targets end up more than 10-yards beyond the line of scrimmage in the game, but the volume certainly made up for this. Jones' highest-usage periods in the game were the first and fourth quarters of the game. It is no coincidence that Iowa State likely scripted approximately their first 15 plays in the offense (which typically takes up much of the first quarter) and Jones was highly involved there. Additionally, the fourth quarter was the highest-pressure situation in the game, aside from overtime. The Cyclones turned to their best playmaker in this critical period of the game, further exemplifying his importance to this offense's success. Iowa State's matchup the Iowa Hawkeyes headlines the week three slate of games. The Cyclones enter week three after a rare week two bye. The bye week affords the Cyclones more time for both recovery and game-planning for this rivalry game. Deshaunte Jones is priced at a shockingly-low $4,600 on the DraftKings main slate. His level of involvement will almost certainly trump any worries about the matchup with Iowa's defense here in week three, making Jones a viable option in all formats.
secondary options
amon ra st. brown, usc, $5,000
Amon Ra St. Brown stepped foot on USC's campus as one of the most-hyped wide receivers in recent memory. St. Brown comes from a rather unique background, which made a more than a few headlines when his older brother, Equanimeous St. Brown, entered college at Notre Dame. Amon Ra St. Brown has been compared to some of the NFL's best wide receivers over recent years because of his incredible skill, quickness, and route-running ability. St. Brown also entered his freshman season alongside his high school quarterback, J.T. Daniels, and therefore, already had a great rapport built with the team's starting quarterback before his first collegiate practice. This season, however, J.T. Daniels was lost in week one to a knee injury, bringing another freshman, Kedon Slovis, into the starting lineup. Amon Ra St. Brown wasted no time getting acclimated to life with a new quarterback, as he posted an impressive stat line with 8 receptions for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns in Slovis' first career start. In week three, Amon Ra St. Brown and the USC offense face a strong BYU defense, which make all USC offensive players riskier options in DFS contests. St. Brown still has an impressive ceiling of production thanks to his talent and role in USC's new-look spread offense, but he is a far more volatile option than he otherwise would have been against a weaker defense. For just $5,000, St. Brown is viable in all formats, but a stronger tournament option than cash-game option because of the volatility in his expected prodcution.
isaiah wright & jadan Blue, temple, $4,900 & $4,800
Temple eased its way into the Rod Carey era with a season opener against Bucknell, a middling FCS program. Even in a game that they entered as 40+ point favorites, the Owls came out with the clear intent to throw the ball early and often. The offense installed under Rod Carey's new coaching staff heavily differs from what Temple has run in previous years under Geoff Collins. Starting quarterback, Anthony Russo attempted 41 passes over 3 quarters in the opener, heavily concentrating targets with 3 different wide receivers: Branden Mack, Isaiah Wright, and Jadan Blue. Isaiah Wright and Jadan Blue stand out in week two as potential tournament options at the wide receiver position because of their athleticism. Isaiah Wright is an extremely versatile wide receiver and punt returner for the Owls, and the coaching staff recognizes his talent with the ball in his hands. Wright lined up in the backfield on a few occasions in the season-opener, proving that Temple's coaches are willing to do whatever is necessary to feed him the ball. Jadan Blue, on the other hand, is a small and speedy wide receiver that keeps fans on the edge of their seats every time he touches the ball. Blue combine's his incredible quickness with a prowess for running sharp and crisp routes, making him exceptionally difficult to defend. Temple vs. Maryland is projected to be the highest-scoring game on the DraftKings main slate of games, and it is tough to imagine this forecast comes to fruition without the help of Temple's two most-impressive playmakers.
