CFB DraftKings Cash & Single Entry: October 23

I’m excited for another Saturday main slate!

This slate is filled with intriguing QB and RB combinations depending on who you trust to produce. Caleb Williams is certain to have another big game versus Kansas, but how long will he play in a potential blowout? Is this the week to trust Skylar Thompson at $6.0K facing Texas Tech? Does Blake Corum regain his early season form versus Northwestern? Does Keyvone Lee take over the Penn State backfield versus Illinois? Which LSU WR do we play in the game with the highest total on the slate?

Let’s dig in…

Against the Spread Picks

Oklahoma State (+7) vs Iowa State

Kansas State (-1) vs Texas Tech

Total Wagers

LSU vs Mississippi (Under 76.5)

Cincinnati vs Navy (Over 49)

Quarterbacks

Caleb Williams, Oklahoma vs Kansas (DK: $9.8K | FD: $12.0K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 52.5)

Caleb Williams dominated in his first official start versus TCU last week with 361 total yards and 5 TDs for 40.4 FPs. As far as fantasy relevance for Williams, think Kyler Murray. He is a true Konami Code QB like Murray in an offense that consistently ranks in the top 5 in YPA (yards per attempt) in the passing game, except when Spencer Rattler is the QB. Typically, the Oklahoma QB will have a YPA over 10 yards. Last week, Williams’ YPA was 12.8. The Kansas DEF is the worst in QB FPG (38.3). The least amount of FPs they have given up to an opposing QB is 29.25, which would hit value for Williams on this slate. It is hard to find a better QB option on Saturday than Williams.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA vs Oregon (DK: $8.1K | FD: $10.3K | O/U: 60.5 | Implied: 30.75)

Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been extremely consistent this year, averaging 24.1 FPG while never scoring below 21 FPs in a game this season. Most of the defenses he has faced this year are ranked in the top half in PASS DEF. This Oregon DEF is the most generous defense he will have faced all year by far. They rank 107th in QB FPG (27.3) and 110th in PASS YPG (270.5). Thompson-Robinson will certainly hit value at $8.1K.

Skylar Thompson, Kansas State vs Texas Tech (DK: $6.0K | FD: $12.0K | O/U: 60.5 | Implied: 30.75)

Since returning from injury in week 5, Skylar Thompson is averaging 23.52 FPG. One of those games he produced 20.14 versus an Iowa State DEF ranked 6th in QB FPG (13.5). The Texas Tech DEF is ranked 77th in QB FPG (23.6) and 66th in PASS YPG (224.7). Thompson is one of the better value plays on the slate at $6.0K considering he only needs to score 18 FPs to hit. If you don’t want to spend up on QBs, Thompson is a great option for you.

Alternatives:

Matt Corral, Mississippi vs LSU, (DK: $10.2K | FD: $11.8K | O/U: 76.5 | Implied: 42.5)

Max Johnson, LSU vs Mississippi (DK: $7.2K | FD: $9.3K | O/U: 76.5 | Implied: 34.0)

Henry Colombi, Texas Tech vs Kansas State (DK: $6.3K | FD: $8.1K | O/U: 60.5 | Implied: 29.75)

Running Backs

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State vs Texas Tech (DK: $7.7K | FD: $9.5K | O/U: 60.5 | Implied: 30.75)

Deuce Vaughn is one of the more versatile players in all of college football. He is averaging 25.4 FPG on 21.8 touches per game. He is extremely useful in PPR as he averages 4 catches per game. It’s hard to envision him not hitting value versus this generous Texas Tech DEF. They are ranked 101st in RB FPG (26.5) and 85th in RUSH YPG (161.71). At $7.7K, he might be out of our price range if we decide to go with Caleb Williams and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but he is certainly worth considering for your lineup.

Blake Corum, MIchigan vs Northwestern (DK: $7.1K | FD: $9.4K | O/U: 51.0 | Implied: 30.75)

Blake Corum has regressed a bit since his scorching hot start to begin the year, but he is still averaging 24.7 FPG and scored 23.6 FPs in his last game versus Nebraska. The Northwestern DEF is uncharacteristically poor versus the run this year ranking 94th in RB FPG (25.6), 118th in RUSH YPG (206.17) and 119th in RUSH YPC (5.38). This matchup sets up perfectly for Corum to go off and regain his form from earlier in the year when he averaged 36.1 FPG over the first three games. He is the RB lock of the slate for me..

Bryce Williams, Minnesota vs Maryland (DK: $5.4K | FD: $7.5K | O/U: 54.5 | Implied: 29.5)

Bryce Williams is the RB who took over for Treyson Potts as RB1 for Minnesota to the surprise of many, including myself. However, he did not disappoint, playing 20 more snaps than every other Minnesota RB while carrying the ball 17 times for 127 yards and a TD. Both Ky Thomas and Mar’Keise Irving had 7 carries each, but it was Williams who the staff and players trusted the most. The Maryland DEF is ranked 119th in RB FPG (30.2) so there will be plenty of opportunities for Williams to build off the success he had last week versus Nebraska.

Keyvone Lee, Penn State vs Illinois (DK: $3.3K | FD: $6.6K | O/U: 46.0 | Implied: 34.75)

Keyvone Lee is a cheaper play with upside who allows us to go after a few of the higher-priced players we want on the slate. The Penn State running game as a whole has been a huge letdown this year. Noah Cain was the clear RB1 in the first three games averaging 18 touches per game, but has seen a sharp decline in his usage and production over the last three. In fact over the last two games, he is averaging 10 touches and 23.5 yards per game. While Cain’s production has slipped, Lee has seen his usage and production increase, averaging 10 touches and 57 yards per game over the same span. In fact, Lee is Penn State’s leading rusher despite having 29 less carries than Cain. Lee is also leading the team in yards after contact and broken tackles.

Penn State is facing an Illinois DEF ranked 87th in RUSH YPG (164.43) and RUSH YPC (4.39). With Sean Clifford limited, if he plays, Penn State might be forced to rely on their rushing attack versus Illinois. This seems like the perfect opportunity for a Keyvone Lee breakout game at only $3.3K.

Alternatives:

Zach Carbonnet, UCLA vs Oregon (DK: $7.0K | FD: $7.8K | O/U: 60.5 | Implied: 30.75)

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin vs Purdue (DK: $6.0K | FD: NA | O/U: 40.5 | Implied: 22.0)

$4.5K-or-less options:

Justice Ellison, Wake Forest vs Army (DK: $4.3K | FD: $6.0K | O/U: 52.5 | Implied: 27.75)

Receivers

David Bell, Purdue vs Wisconsin (DK: $7.6K | FD: NA | O/U: 40.5 | Implied: 18.5)

David Bell is matchup proof. If we didn’t know that before the last game, then we know it now as Bell torched a strong Iowa PASS DEF with 11 catches on 12 targets for 240 yards and a TD. The last time Bell faced Wisconsin was in 2019, his 2nd career game. In that contest, he caught 12 balls for 108 yards and a TD for 31.8 FPs on DK. Bell still feels underpriced at $7.6K for the incredible production he offers us every week. If you can afford Bell, he should be in your lineup this week.

Greg Dulcich, UCLA vs Oregon (DK: $4.8K | FD: $6.6K | O/U: 60.5 | Implied: 30.75)

TE Greg Dulcich has been steady this year putting up double-digit FPs in all, but one game on the season while averaging 13.7 FPG. He is essentially the 1B receiving option in the UCLA passing behind Kyle Phillips. Speaking of Phillips, he was a surprise scratch in the game last week versus Washington. He was seen practicing this week, but if he doesn’t play then Dulcich could see an uptick in targets. This Oregon DEF is a great matchup for Dulcich as they rank 104th in WR FPG (26.8) and 110th in PASS YPG (270.5). I’d strongly consider starting Dulcich in this potentially high-scoring affair.

Malik Nabers, LSU vs Mississippi (DK: $3.7K | FD: $5.5K | O/U: 76.5 | Implied: 34.0)

Malik Nabers might be the last man standing in a WR group that has been hit hard by injuries. Kayshon Boutte is out for the year. Deion Smith is out for this game. Koy Moore entered the transfer portal. Brian Thomas flashed last week, but then got injured and is questionable versus Mississippi. The LSU-Mississippi game has a projected total of 76.5 points so we want to have some exposure. Last game, Nabers had a 25-percent team target share as he saw the second most snaps of any WR behind Jaray Jenkins. At $3.7K, he is extremely cheap for his potential production in the game with the highest total on the slate.

Alternatives:

Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest vs Army (DK: $6.4K | FD: $8.0K | O/U: 52.5 | Implied: 27.75)

Chris Autman-Bell, Minnesota vs Maryland (DK: $6.2K | FD: $7.2K | O/U: 54.5 | Implied: 29.5)

Kyle Phillips, UCLA vs Oregon (DK: $6.1K | FD: $7.5K | O/U: 60.5 | Implied: 30.75)

$4.5K-or-less options:

Mike Woods, Oklahoma vs Kansas (DK: $4.4K | FD: $6.5K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 52.5)

Brian Thomas, LSU vs Mississippi (DK: $4.0K | FD: $6.0K | O/U: 76.5 | Implied: 34.0)

Payne Durham, Purdue vs Wisconsin (DK: $4.0K | FD: NA | O/U: 40.5 | Implied: 18.5)

Dannis Jackson, Mississippi vs LSU, (DK: $3.8K | FD: $5.8K | O/U: 76.5 | Implied: 42.5)