We're in luck, as the Saturday evening slates for Week 5 are identical on DraftKings and FanDuel. We'll be able to cover it all in one pass without singling out stand-alone games for each site. Let's get to it!
CFB DFS Saturday Evening Slate Overview
One thing I notice right away is the lack of blowout contests on the slate, which is normal as teams enter the tougher parts of their schedules. Although the Oregon-Penn State contest is the marquee matchup here, my exposure to the game is almost non-existent. I'm a fan of N.C. State, Memphis and Alabama, and we'll center around those teams while sprinkling in picks from the rest. I am endorsing a non-QB scheme for your S-FLEX, so keep that in mind as we look at running back and wide receiver.
CFB DFS Weather Report
VT/NCST: 83 percent chance of rain
MEM/FAU: 46 percent chance of rain, 13 m.p.h. Winds
Top CFB DFS Week 5 Saturday Night Picks for DraftKings and FanDuel
Quarterback
Ty Simpson, 
Alabama (DK $7,900, FD $9,500) @ Georgia
While some believe that Georgia's defense will bottle up the Tide, there's no question that Simpson is the more effective quarterback in this contest. Aside from the hiccup against FSU, Simpson has played effectively and handles pressure well. I'm aiming for stability at this position, and I prefer Simpson over the uncertainty surrounding the marquee game. There's no telling how Dante Moore and Drew Allar will respond to the opposing defense, and I'm
We're in luck, as the Saturday evening slates for Week 5 are identical on DraftKings and FanDuel. We'll be able to cover it all in one pass without singling out stand-alone games for each site. Let's get to it!
CFB DFS Saturday Evening Slate Overview
One thing I notice right away is the lack of blowout contests on the slate, which is normal as teams enter the tougher parts of their schedules. Although the Oregon-Penn State contest is the marquee matchup here, my exposure to the game is almost non-existent. I'm a fan of N.C. State, Memphis and Alabama, and we'll center around those teams while sprinkling in picks from the rest. I am endorsing a non-QB scheme for your S-FLEX, so keep that in mind as we look at running back and wide receiver.
CFB DFS Weather Report
VT/NCST: 83 percent chance of rain
MEM/FAU: 46 percent chance of rain, 13 m.p.h. Winds
Top CFB DFS Week 5 Saturday Night Picks for DraftKings and FanDuel
Quarterback
Ty Simpson, Alabama (DK $7,900, FD $9,500) @ Georgia
While some believe that Georgia's defense will bottle up the Tide, there's no question that Simpson is the more effective quarterback in this contest. Aside from the hiccup against FSU, Simpson has played effectively and handles pressure well. I'm aiming for stability at this position, and I prefer Simpson over the uncertainty surrounding the marquee game. There's no telling how Dante Moore and Drew Allar will respond to the opposing defense, and I'm not willing to take a side. With Simpson, I can make a reasonable judgment.
Zevi Eckhaus, 
Washington State (DK $7,000, FD $8,800) @ Colorado State
Colorado's pass defense is terrible, and if you caught any highlights of the Apple Cup, you'd see why I like Eckhaus in this spot. He displayed top-notch dual-threat capability and did everything he could to offset the Cougars' terrible defense. While the defense is a cause for worry here, the Rams aren't the Huskies. The team hasn't scored more than 21 points yet, and aside from Washington, the rest of the schedule isn't very strong. I predict Eckhaus will garner low utilization, so we can get ahead of the field with a good showing here.
Also consider: CJ Bailey, 
N.C. State (DK $8,600, FD $11,000) vs. Virginia Tech
Running Back
Hollywood Smothers, N.C. State (DK $9,200, FD $10,600) vs. Virginia Tech
This game could end up as a wet mess, and it's usually a good bet to take the running backs in that scenario. I balk at Smothers' salary, but it's a worthwhile call when you consider Virginia Tech's rush defense. They've given up voluminous totals against opposing running backs in all of their losses, and Smothers could be the most talented back they've faced. If the weather is as bad as predicted, the Wolfpack will run the ball with more frequency, and the Hokies will have a hard time stopping him.
Nicholas Singleton, 
Penn State (DK $8,100, FD $8,500) vs. Oregon
Here's one spot in this game that I've decided to trust. It's hard to beat Singleton's FanDuel salary, and Singleton deserves to have a higher cost. You won't hear me complaining. Neither of these teams has been seriously tested, and while Oregon's defense should be tough, Penn State's offensive line can take on any defense. The Ducks also have shutdown corners, so it'll be natural for the Nittany Lions to lean on the run. I don't mind Kaytron Allen (DK $5,000, FD $7,800) on DraftKings, but Singleton consistently gets more carries, and their salaries on FanDuel aren't far apart.
Also consider: Sutton Smith, 
Memphis (DK $7,100, FD $9,200) @ Florida Atlantic, Seth McGowan, 
Kentucky (DK $5,700, FD $9,000) @ South Carolina
Wide Receiver
Ryan Williams, Alabama (DK $8,000, FD $8,900) @ Georgia
While I'm sure Georgia will key in on Williams in coverage, the speedster has an uncanny knack for getting open behind opposing secondaries. Simpson showed the ability to get the ball downfield to him against Wisconsin, and woe to opposing defenses who have to tackle him out in the open. If he gets loose, watch out. I have no problem paying up here because I'm not incurring extra cost for a quarterback in the S-FLEX, and there's a high probability that he could end up in that slot on my roster.
Easton Messer, Florida Atlantic (DK $6,800, FD $9,200) vs. Memphis
The Owls will have to put it in the air to get past Memphis, and Messer is a guy I've enjoyed watching since his days at Western Kentucky. He's got a lot of speed and is easily the team's favorite receiving target. I'm not fond of his FanDuel salary, but he's appropriately priced on DraftKings and worth a look.
Zachariah Branch, 
Georgia (DK $4,600, FD $7,400) vs. Alabama
Branch dazzled in his days at USC, and he should have a bigger role in Georgia. Although he's had a couple of solid games, his target share should be larger, and it hasn't happened yet. It was imperative to find some budget plays, and I think Branch's upside gives him merit as one of the best wideouts to find in this range.
Also consider: Dakorien Moore, 
Oregon (DK $5,800, FD $7,500) @ Penn State
