This article is part of our College Football DFS: Friday Slate series.
The slates are perfectly aligned for Friday's four-game offering. Let's dive right into the action!
SLATE OVERVIEW
Coastal Carolina (-25.5) vs. Kansas O/U: 52.5
Boise State (-26) vs. UTEP O/U: 56.5
Utah State(-6.5) vs. North Dakota O/U: 51.5
Duke (-20) vs. North Carolina A&T OU: 55.5
We have three games with serious blowout potential on the slate, and there's definitely merit to punching in a passing game for one of the underdogs as they try to play from behind. A&T appears to be the best opportunity at first glance, as both Boise State and Coastal Carolina boast better secondaries than the Blue Devils, at least on paper. Conversely, targeting runners with the favorites is also a good methodology, along with key targets in the USU/UND game, which has the narrowest spread of the evening.
QUARTERBACK
Logan Bonner, Utah State (DK $7,300, FD $7,400) vs. North Dakota
The Arkansas State transfer didn't exactly light things up against Washington State. He could also lose some snaps to Andrew Peasley, but that won't be enough for me to move off of him in this potentially close matchup. The marks against him could make him one of the better contrarian plays at quarterback, especially with a lot of love going to more recognizable names.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina (DK $8,900, FD $11,500) vs. Kansas
While this flies in the face of our original strategy, it's hard to fade the Sun Belt's Player of the Year in a matchup where he will
The slates are perfectly aligned for Friday's four-game offering. Let's dive right into the action!
SLATE OVERVIEW
Coastal Carolina (-25.5) vs. Kansas O/U: 52.5
Boise State (-26) vs. UTEP O/U: 56.5
Utah State(-6.5) vs. North Dakota O/U: 51.5
Duke (-20) vs. North Carolina A&T OU: 55.5
We have three games with serious blowout potential on the slate, and there's definitely merit to punching in a passing game for one of the underdogs as they try to play from behind. A&T appears to be the best opportunity at first glance, as both Boise State and Coastal Carolina boast better secondaries than the Blue Devils, at least on paper. Conversely, targeting runners with the favorites is also a good methodology, along with key targets in the USU/UND game, which has the narrowest spread of the evening.
QUARTERBACK
Logan Bonner, Utah State (DK $7,300, FD $7,400) vs. North Dakota
The Arkansas State transfer didn't exactly light things up against Washington State. He could also lose some snaps to Andrew Peasley, but that won't be enough for me to move off of him in this potentially close matchup. The marks against him could make him one of the better contrarian plays at quarterback, especially with a lot of love going to more recognizable names.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina (DK $8,900, FD $11,500) vs. Kansas
While this flies in the face of our original strategy, it's hard to fade the Sun Belt's Player of the Year in a matchup where he will see all the reps under center. There's no denying that the Chanticleers are a run-first team, but McCall is deadly accurate when they choose to air it out. His receivers have the YAC numbers to drive McCall's numbers way up as well. He threw for 262 yards on only 16 completed passes, and he clocked an 84 percent completion rate in the process. He's expensive, especially on FanDuel, but also very safe.
Tommy Schuster, North Dakota (DK $5,800 FD $6,800) @ Utah State
To stay unique, I will fade the Hank Bachmeier-s of the world and take the opposite end of the most competitive matchup. The sophomore carried a 10:6 QB/INT ratio over seven games last season and connected on almost 80 percent of his passes in his first stint under center last week. Although both teams have a decent ground game, the Fighting Hawks will need to air it out if they want to pull an upset here.
RUNNING BACK
Mataeo Durant, Duke (DK $6,900, FD $11,000) vs. North Carolina A&T
We probably won't see 255 yards from Durant again, but his salary on DraftKings is almost laughably low and too good to pass up. The Aggies were decent against the run in their first game, but Durant will be the core of Duke's offense in the first half. He'll carry the rock early and often and will be one of the most reliable targets on Friday's slate.
Calvin Tyler, Utah State (DK $3,500, FD $7,800) vs. North Dakota
Again, another significant discount on DraftKings. John Gentry will also see time at the position, but Tyler took a big leap forward in that backfield battle with an 84-yard, one-touchdown effort against Washington State last week. North Dakota was stingy against the run their first time out but face a much better Aggie offensive line. There's merit to going contrarian with Gentry, but Tyler looked like the more effective runner and should continue to have the advantage.
Reese White, Coastal Carolina (DK $4,700, FD $8,000) vs. Kansas
While most of the attention will flor to Shermari Jones, I really like White in what could be a blowout game for the Chanticleers. This rushing offense is potent, and there is plenty of work to go around. Both backs had a nose for the end zone in Week 1, but White is the shiftier back and has more big-play potential.
Also consider: Ronald Awatt, UTEP (DK $3,700, FD $6,100)
WIDE RECEIVER
I'd really like to go with Khalil Shakir here, but I feel he will be way too popular. He's fine with cash, but I want to go a little deeper at this position, and with three slots to fill, I want to carry more risk.
Justin Garrett, UTEP (DK $4,000, FD $6,500) @ Boise State
UTEP will have to get their air attack going if they have any chance of beating Boise State, and Gavin Hardison has the arm to find Garrett. Jacob Cowing is worth a look, but it was Garrett who shined in Week 1 against Bethune-Cookman. Over two games, he's been targeted 13 times to Cowing's 12.
Deven Thompkins, Utah State (DK $7,000, FD $9,000) vs. North Dakota
I will go back to the well again with this competitive matchup. The senior saw a whopping 11 targets against Washington State last week. While achieving that kind of frequency is a stretch, there's no doubt that Thompkins (who's a mere 5-8) is Logan Bonner's favorite target. He reminds me a bit of Mike Wallace, although he's a good four inches shorter. He has that kind of breakaway speed that can burn you on a slant and post pattern, but you won't see him often in the middle of the field. We should see at least one big play from him this week.
Jaivon Heiligh, Coastal Carolina (DK $8,000, FD $9,500) vs. Kansas
Since Hellugh is the top player on DraftKings' slate, I would be more inclined to get a piece of this offense with Isaiah Likely (DK $4,800, FD $6,600), but no matter which way you go, it's hard to not find value in a Chanticleer receiver on this slate. I wouldn't worry too much about the potential blowout here - Heiligh caught a touchdown when the team had a four-touchdown lead, so they aren't afraid to keep the foot on the gas. Every game is an argument for their postseason resume, and McCall could be a Heisman sleeper with a good campaign. Heiligh should be the beneficiary all season.