Arizona State (+14.5) @ Michigan State
This match up screams defensive battle to me. I can see Michigan State coming out on top in this match up by a field goal or a touchdown, but I do not see this offense having the fire power to beat Arizona State by more than two touchdowns. Arizona State has a very stingy defense, ranking top 25 in the country in defensive efficiency. The freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels for the Sun Devils is a promising prospect and I expect him to do enough, coupled with the Sun Devil defense, to keep this a close game. Michigan State ranks inside the top 10 in defensive efficiency, which is why I believe this is going to be a defensive battle, a low scoring game with the home team coming out on top, but not covering the spread. Bet Arizona State (+14.5) -105
Top DFS PLAYS:
This week Fanduel threw us a curve ball and moved their main slate to 3:30, while Draftkings kept their main slate at 12 pm est. With this being the case we have less games that overlap each other on each site and makes the tiers of players a little different this week. I will write up a High, mid and value tier play from each site. If a particular play overlaps on both sites that will be noted in the description.
High Tier
QB: Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma): FD: 10,600
So Draftkings does not have this Oklahoma @ UCLA game which is unfortunate because Hurts might put up 100 pts in this match up. So far this Oklahoma offense has looked unstoppable with Hurts at the helm, and it appears that Lincoln Riley could have himself another Heisman winner running his offense! I love Hurts in this match up that has a total sitting at 73.5 with Oklahoma sitting at 23 point favorites. UCLA 80th in defensive efficiency which does not bode well for their chances in keeping this game even remotely close. Hurts should have a monster game this week and will be one of my Fanduel cash game staples.
QB: Tua Tungaviola (Alabama): DK: 9,000
I guess if we are not going to have the Oklahoma game as an option for the main DK slate, we will have to settle for targeting Alabama’s offense. Tua is in a smash spot this week vs. a South Carolina defense who has had its struggles to start the season. In week 1 SC managed to make true freshman quarterback Sam Howell look like a seasoned vet, and now they have to face one of the best quarterbacks and offenses in the nation. I see Tua and the Bama offense creating big plays in the air this week. If SC has a strong point in its defense, it would be in its front 7. They are not good in the front 7 but they are better there than they are in the back end. I expect Tua to connect with Jeudy, Ruggs and Waddle quite a bit in this game setting him up to absolutely smash at his 9k price tag. On DK Tua will be a cash game staple in my lineups.
RB: Travis Etienne (Clemson): FD: 10,200 (FD ONLY)
Etienne is an absolute animal! I love watching him run the football. His vision is incredible. He is a one cut and go runner, and his explosiveness is off the charts. If you watched Syracuse last week, you saw Maryland absolutely dismantle them in the worst of ways. Maryland ran the ball down their throats. Just imagine, this same Syracuse team is going to be tasked with trying to slow down one of the best backs in the nation, running behind one of the best lines in the nation. Good luck. I see Clemson leaning on the run game early and sticking with it.
RB: Chuba Hubbard (OK State): FD: 10,000 DK: 8,300
Oklahoma State’s offense is one that can put up points in a hurry and Hubbard is a big reason why. Hubbard is a very good running back with good size and speed. His vision and ability for the big play is his strength. Ok State should and will lean on the running game early to establish dominance on the line of scrimmage. Just two weeks ago Hubbard had over 220 yards on the ground and 3 touchdowns averaging 8.5 ypc. Hubbard has a very safe floor with a ceiling that rivals Etiennes. I can see some fading Etienne this week and dropping down to Hubbard on FD, on DK Hubbard is about as safe of a play you can get on this slate, but also presents a tremendous ceiling!
WR: Tylan Wallace (OK State): FD 9,800 DK: 8600
Right now I can see myself getting to both Hubbard and Wallace, especially on DK. OK State has one of the best offenses in the country. They can put up points with the best of them and Tylan Wallace is a big play wide receiver who can destroy you underneath and then turn right around and take the top off of a defense. He has 5 TD so far through two games this year and I fully expect that TD rate to continue. He is Sanders favorite target and when the ball is not being ran by Hubbard, Sanders is looking to connect with Wallace. I am not worried at all about Tulsa’s defense or Ok state playing on the road. Tulsa is giving up over 220 yards through the air, and that is against teams who rank towards the bottom in passing offense. I think Tylan absolutely smashes in this match up and I see no reason why he shouldn’t end with a stat line around 150 receiving yards and 2 tds. Play him with confidence.
Mid Tier:
QB: Spencer Sanders (OK State): FD 9,100
Spencer Sanders is one of the highest priced QB’s on Draftkings this week and is #12 on Fanduel in terms of salary. I think his price on Fanduel makes him a must in cash games. There is no reason that he should be priced where is on Fanduel, which I believe will make him one of the chalkier plays this week. Again, like stated above about Hubbard and Wallace, Tulsa’s defense is no match for this high powered offense. Spencer not only offers great passing upside, he offers immense rushing upside as well. He had 13 rushes for 109 yards just two weeks ago vs. Oregon State to go along with over 200 yds passing and 3 touchdowns. His upside is outrageous at his price tag due to his rushing ability. I will be very overweight on Sanders on Fanduel, and will have a good share of him in my draftkings lineups! A stack of Sanders, Hubbard and Wallace could provide you with plenty of fantasy goodness this week!
QB: Sean Clifford (Penn State): DK 7,300
Penn State will be squaring off with Pitt this week in what should amount to a Penn State dominating performance. Pitt has struggled on both sides of the ball so far this year and Penn State, despite some slow starts, has looked really good this year. Sean Clifford looks to be in a great spot this week to show off his dual threat abilities. I expect Clifford to have a big game at home this week both through the air and on the ground. Clifford rushed 11 times against Buffalo for 57 yards. He has shown he has the ability to be an effective runner when he gets opportunities. When he is not running the ball he is throwing it to some very talented guys, most notably KJ Hamler. Look for Clifford to dominate Pitt this week for a very reasonable 7300 price tag on DK.
RB: Elijah Collins (Michigan State): FD 7,200 DK 3,000
When you hear Michigan State you think of a very sound and discipline defense with a good running game on offense. Well they have held true to that this year by having a very effective rushing offense and a very stout defense. Elijah Collins gets the nod this week as the starting running back for the Spartans after rushing 17 times for 192 yards vs Western Michigan last week. Collins looked very decisive and strong running the ball and showed good burst. Michigan State is a team that wants to run the ball, which bodes well for Collins. Now, he is facing a tough defense in Arizona State, but he should have a good volume of touches this week that should lead him to be able to hit value at his price tag on Fanduel and Draftkings. He is obviously a better play, pretty much a lock, on Draftkings being priced at min salary, but he also makes for a very strong value play on FD where he is priced at a very affordable 7200. I will be getting Collins into almost all of my lineups on Draftkings and will be overweight to the field on Fanduel.
WR: Jaylen Waddle (Alabama): FD 7,400 DK 6,100
Look, not much needs to be said here. One of the most explosive wide receivers in the SEC gets to face an opponent who gives up tons of yards through the air, and who are very undisciplined in the secondary. Waddle has a knack for making big plays, and facing an undisciplined secondary just increases his chances to deliver on a few deep balls from Tua. I think Waddle paired with Tua and Jeudy on DK makes for a very interesting stack. Waddle is very reasonably priced on Fanduel as well, and to be able to get a piece of such a high powered offence at 7400 makes for good value on a slate where you need good value to get your studs in your lineups.
Notable Value/Punt Plays:
CJ Moore (Oklahoma State): FD 4,000 DK 5,300 : Moore is a boom or bust play; He will either finish with 4 rec 100 yds and a td or 1 rec for 12 yds… I will definitely take a shot on him on FD for 4k.
Demetric Felton (UCLA): FD Only 6800 : Has a decent role in an offense that likes to play fast. He is in the highest game total on the slate; he is worth a punt. His role has gone down a little since the return of Kelly, but still has a role in this offense.
Jadon Haselwood (OKLA): FD Only 5100: To get a piece of this Oklahoma offense at near minimum price on FD, I will get a few shares of him in my lineups, so that I can open up more salary for the studs on the slate. Haselwood is an outstanding Freshman WR that turns into a RB when the ball gets in his hands. He is a tough runner and his YAC is outstanding and he will only rise on the depth chart as the year goes on.
