College Football DFS: Friday Slate, Week 6

Both sites offer a three-game slate for DFS play Friday evening.  Let's dive into the action!

SLATE OVERVIEW

UNC-Charlotte (-3) @ Florida International O/U: 60.5

Cincinnati (-29) vs. Temple O/U: 54

Arizona State (-13) vs. Stanford O/U: 52

From a real-world perspective, the Stanford-ASU contest has the most at stake.  Can Stanford keep the momentum going after a shocking win over Oregon? And can Jayden Daniels finally take control of the ASU offense and bring them to the next level? I think the line is too broad and the O/U too low for this matchup for various reasons. The nightcap will be the focus of DFS output, and I think the public will ignore the Cincy blowout as well as the CHAR/FIU game. As a result, your key to contrarian success in GPPs will likely be found in the first two games of the evening.

QUARTERBACK

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (DK $9,000, FD $11,500) vs. Temple

Despite being a huge favorite, I suspect that the Bearcats will try to make huge statement wins whenever possible as they build their playoff resume. Ridder has also played full games against lesser teams, and the likelihood of losing a quarter due to a lopsided score is unlikely in his case. Ridder will build off of the biggest game of his career, where he threw for almost 300 yards and two touchdowns against Notre Dame. He also added a rushing touchdown to his total. Temple's possing defense has performed well, but they face a much stiffer test in a hostile environment.

Jayden Daniels, Arizona State (DK $6,900, FD $9,900) vs. Stanford

Although I think Tanner McKee has potential on the other side of this matchup, Daniels has been building steadily toward a true breakout game, and this could be the moment. While the Cardinal has some signature upsets on their resume and have had success in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, they have yet to face a dual-threat guy of Daniels' caliber, who has an assortment of read-option plays tailored to his skill set. Coach Herman Edwards and his staff have been on Daniels constantly about his impatience in the pocket, but he's improved so much, his opportunities to open up plays with his feet are exponentially more productive than before. Stanford is no pushover, and Daniels should be ready to bring his A-game to this contest after a nice win against a tough UCLA squad.

Also consider: Chris Reynolds, Charlotte (DK $7,500, FD $10,500) @ FIU

RUNNING BACK

Rachaad White (DK $8,200, FD $10,400)

DeaMonte Trayanum (DK $5,500, FD $8,400) Arizona State vs. Stanford

I bunch these two together because there is a story to be told here, especially if you don't regularly follow the Pac-12. Trayanum had a brilliant freshman campaign, but his second season with the Sun Devils was thwarted by a foot injury that allowed White to regain a foothold as the top back. We saw a sharp increase in carries for Trayanum against UCLA, but White was still productive alongside him. The favorable price on DraftKings makes Trayanum a more attractive option on that platform, as better production will probably follow the increased workload. While I'm not a fan of stacking the backs, a mix-and-match for MME players is a sound idea, and if you're only playing one lineup, you really can't go wrong with either of them.

Nathaniel Peat, Stanford (DK $4,700, FD $6,700) @ Arizona State

Stanford and ASU have both had issues in stopping the run so far this season.  Peat has effectively leapfrogged Austin Jones as the number one option for the Cardinal in the backfield and has done so quite convincingly. The key to success for Peat is a touchdown or two to pad his rushing totals, a feat he has only achieved twice so far this season.

Calvin Camp, Charlotte (DK $4,200, FD $6,500) @ FIU

By all means, go with Shadrick Byrd (DK $4,500, FD $7,300) here to avoid variance, but Camp has had a nose for the end zone recently. Granted, he hasn't done much during his tenure, but he's carried the ball 49 times while averaging 5.9 yards per rush so far this season and has two touchdowns to his credit. Byrd is a better pass-catcher but has lost ground to Camp in the rushing game. Byrd will be the more popular selection, and I have no issue with him in cash, but I like Camp as the variance play.

Also consider: D'Vonte Price, FIU (DK $6,500, FD $8,100)

WIDE RECEIVER

Elijah Higgins, Stanford (DK $5,400, FD $7,200) @ Arizona State

The injury to Brycen Tremayne provides an opportunity for Higgins to lead the team, as he did last week once Tremayne was sidelined against UCLA. Tanner McKee targeted him nine times in the contest, and the trend should continue against the Sun Devils. 

Grant DuBose (DK $6,000, FD $9,100)

Victor Tucker (DK $5,800, FD $7,300), Charlotte @ FIU

As you might expect, I like DuBose for cash and Tucker for tournaments. This should be a close, high-scoring matchup, and Chris Reynolds has two adept targets in DuBose and Tucker, who are both putting together excellent campaigns. DuBose has had the keener nose for the end zone, but Tucker has kept pace with his teammate and has one less reception than DuBose on the season. I like them both against an FIU defense that ranks among the worst in the nation against the pass (280th).

I'll conclude the wide receiver section with a wait-and-see call for Arizona State. If Johnny Wilson (DK $4,600, FD $5,500) can suit up, he should be considered a potentially high-producing contrarian play as he returns from injury. If he can't make it, Ricky Pearsall (DK $6,200, FD $8,000) should once again be Jayden Daniels' top target for the week.