This article is part of our College Football DFS: Weekday Slate series.
We have two bowl games taking place Tuesday. Maybe you'll be watching them as you wrap presents, but in that case be sure to have your DFS lineups in first. Since we are dealing with just two games I figured I'd just get to it, break the games down, and then make my recommendations.
SLATE PREVIEW
Kent State vs. Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. ET
The Golden Flashes made it to the MAC title game, though it was with a 7-5 record. Also, they were pasted by Northern Illinois. Wyoming, meanwhile, went 6-6 in the Mountain West.
Kent State defensive ranks: 120th in points per game, 103rd in rushing yards per game, 125th in passing yards per game, 102nd in rushing yards per attempt, 92nd in passing yards per attempt
Wyoming defensive ranks: 34th in points per game, 93rd in rushing yards per game, third in passing yards per game, 86th in rushing yards per attempt, seven in passing yards per attempt
Neither team is dealing with any notable injuries that would impact fantasy decisions
UTSA vs. San Diego State, 7:30 p.m. ET
Both of these teams played in their conference title games. The Roadrunners won, outlasting Bailey Zappe and Western Kentucky's offense. Meanwhile, the Aztecs surprisingly slipped to Utah State, who beat them soundly. UTSA only lost one game all year, but it was a non-competitive loss to North Texas of all teams, which definitely lowered the overall enthusiasm for this team.
UTSA defensive ranks: 49th in points per game, 12th in rushing yards per game, 113th in passing yards per game, 10th in rushing yards per attempt, 110th in passing yards per attempt
San Diego State defensive ranks: 14th in points per game, second in rushing yards per game, 86th in passing yards per game, sixth in rushing yards per attempt, 12th in passing yards per attempt
The Aztecs are banged up at tight end – three of the four guys on the depth chart are listed as questionable – but that won't really matter for fantasy purposes. Lucas Johnson, who was their starting quarterback, is still questionable after missing the Mountain West title game. That being said, Jordon Brookshire had moved to the top of the depth chart anyway. UTSA, meanwhile, are healthy.
QUARTERBACK
Levi Williams, Wyoming vs. Kent State ($7,200 FD/$6,100 DK): Williams took over as the starting quarterback for the final five games of the season and he was, frankly, a little all over the place. He threw eight touchdowns, but he also threw four picks, and he never had more than 242 yards through the air. However, he also added 252 rushing yards and a touchdown in that time. Kent State clearly has the worst defense of these four teams, so that is the matchup to target Tuesday.
Jordon Brookshire, San Diego State vs. UTSA ($7,800 FD/$5,800 DK): This is an awkward day for quarterbacks. The two good quarterbacks playing are facing really good pass defenses. On the flip side, the favorable matchups are going to questionable QBs. That being said, if you don't want to go with Williams, Brookshire is your second-best option.
RUNNING BACK
Marquez Cooper, Kent State vs. Wyoming ($8,800 FD/$6,500 DK): Given the strength of Wyoming's pass defense, and the mediocrity of its run defense, this could be Cooper's day. He rushed for 1,080 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Cooper didn't touch the ball much in that loss to Northern Illinois, but in the four games before that he had 517 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Xazavian Valladay, Wyoming vs. Kent State ($8,500 FD/$6,300 DK): Valladay started the season with a four-game touchdown streak. After that he slowed down, but every game this year where he got at least 20 carries he rushed for over 100 yards. If he carries the ball that much against the Golden Flashes, I fully expect him to do that again.
WIDE RECEIVER
Isaiah Neyor, Wyoming vs. Kent State ($9,000 FD/$6,900 DK): You have to admire Neyor's efficiency. He caught 39 balls this year, but 11 of those went for a touchdown. The receiver seems to have a rapport with Williams as well. Neyor had at least one touchdown in every game Williams started.
Jesse Matthews, San Diego State vs. UTSA ($7,300 FD/$6,300 DK): Talk about saving the best for last. Matthews got off to a slow start, but over the final three games of the season, he had 26 catches for 290 yards and five touchdowns. Fingers crossed the break before the bowl game didn't cool him off.
Zakhari Franklin, UTSA vs. San Diego State ($8,800 FD/$5,500 DK): Let's not make this all Aztecs and Cowboys. San Diego State is strong against the pass on a per-play basis, but the overall pass defense numbers were more middling. Franklin could still emerge in this one. He had 73 catches for 938 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games this season.
