College Football DFS: Thursday and Friday Picks and Strategy for DraftKings and FanDuel

College Football DFS: Thursday and Friday Picks

With another light Thursday/Friday slate in Week 13 of College Football, we once again combine our DFS picks for both days into one article. Thursday night takes us to the Sun Belt, where Arkansas State hosts Louisiana-Lafayette with both teams battling for bowl eligibility late in the year. Meanwhile, on Friday, two middling ACC teams in Florida State and NC State each look for a sixth/postseason-clinching win as well. For the Friday nightcap, two of the better teams in the Mountain West in Hawaii and UNLV collide in Las Vegas. 

DraftKings and FanDuel are both up and running Thursday/Friday night, and below we break down some of the best plays on each slate.

Thursday/Friday College Football DFS Slate Overview 

Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette is expected to be a tight one on Thursday night, with the home RedWolves slim three-point favorites. With a total set at 53.3, both teams are expected to be able to score, and both defenses look mightily appealing for fantasy purposes — both teams surrender over 400 yards of offense per game. 

Friday night is also expected to feature two close games. In the ACC, NC State's porous pass defense should be on your radar, but their run defense isn't much better, allowing 140.5 rushing yards per game. Florida State has been tighter defensively but it still allows a solid amount of fantasy points to most positions. 

Out West, Hawaii and UNLV should be a highly entertaining game between two teams enjoying strong seasons thus far. Both teams can score, particularly the Runnin' Rebels, who boast the 17th-ranked total offense in the nation. With a total set at 64.5, not a lot of defense is expected to be played in this one. Offensive players from both teams should have a great chance to feast. 

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College Football DFS Picks Thursday, November 20

Captain Picks

Lunch Winfield, QB, Louisiana Lafayette ($16,200, on DraftKings, $19,20000 on FanDuel)

Winfield is pricey, but there's a reason why. The gunslinger is in the midst of a hot streak, having scored at least 26 fantasy points in each of his last three outings. His legs have been a big help in that department, as he has 233 rushing yards and three scores in that span to supplement his passing numbers. Arkansas State, meanwhile, allows 26.9 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, as well as a healthy 241.7 passing yards per game and 8.2 yards per attempt. This secondary is quite forgiving to opposing signal callers, meaning Winfield looks primed to continue to be quite a serviceable option. 

Kenyon Clay, RB, Arkansas State ($12,900 on DraftKings, $13,800 on FanDuel) 

Clay is the most expensive back on both slates, but he's a good choice for the captain spot here because he figures to see plenty of volume against a poor defense. On top of averaging 10.9 carries per game, he also records 3.2 receptions per game and sees consistent targets out of the backfield. Louisiana-Lafayette, meanwhile, allows a whopping 192.6 rushing yards per game and 2.2 rushing touchdowns per game. If there was ever a favorable opponent for Clay, it's the Ragin' Cajuns. 

Util Plays

Shelton Sampson, WR, Louisiana-Lafayette ($8,200 on DraftKings, $11,600 on FanDuel) 

There are lots of reasons to like the Ragin' Cajuns' passing game in this one, many of which have been outlined as a reason to take their quarterback, Winfield. But again, with the Red Wolves allowing 241.7 passing yards per game through the air and 22.1 fantasy points per game to receivers, Sampson looks like a strong play. He's the safest pick amongst Louisiana-Lafayette receivers, as he's been the most consistent and is on a tear over his last three games, totaling 16 grabs for 292 yards and five scores. It's not rocket science — take the hot receiver against a weak secondary. 

Chauncy Cobb, WR, Arkansas State ($7,000 on DraftKings, $8,600 on FanDuel) 

Corey Rucker is the pricier — and more productive — Arkansas State receiver. Still, if you're looking for a cheaper option that still has a great chance to produce, look no further than Cobb. While Rucker has more yards, Cobb leads the team in catches and averages a healthy 7.8 targets per game. Louisiana-Lafayette's pass defense is better than its run defense, but the Ragin' Cajuns still allow 24.2 fantasy points per game to wideouts. 

Also Consider: Bill Davis, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette ($7,800 on both DraftKings and FanDuel) 

College Football Picks for Friday, November 21

Florida State at NC State

Tommy Castellanos, QB, Florida State ($7,700 on DraftKings, $10,800 on FanDuel) 

Castellanos is primed for a bounce-back after a shaky day against Virginia Tech. The gunslinger, who's tossed for 2,317 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions with 404 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, now gets to face an NC State defense that allows a whopping 299.9 passing yards per game, quite literally the worst in FBS. The Wolfpack also surrenders 25.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, one of the worst marks in the ACC. His ability on the ground as a dual-threat only sweetens the deal. What's more, he's somewhat affordable as the second-priciest quarterback on the slate. 

Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State ($6,400 on DraftKings, $9,100 on FanDuel) 

Robinson is pricey; he's the second-most expensive receiver on both websites, as a matter of fact. Still, he should be worth every penny. We just outlined why you should love Castellanos and the Seminoles' passing game in this one, but you should also be enamored with Robinson. The junior wideout is on a tear this season and specifically over the last three games, he's been unstoppable to the tune of 20 catches for 406 yards and two touchdowns. Now, he gets to face an extremely porous pass defense that surrenders 27.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Robinson should receive a healthy portion of targets against the Wolfpack, and they don't have anyone who can stop the 6-foot-6 receiver. 

Hollywood Smothers, RB, NC State ($5,800 on DraftKings, $8,800 on FanDuel) 

Smothers is an especially enticing play on DraftKings, where he's the third-most expensive running back. Meanwhile, he might be the most dynamic ball-carrier on the slate. Sure, he was stymied last week against Miami (FL)'s No. 3-ranked rushing defense, but he's still racked up 823 rushing yards on 6.5 yards per carry with six touchdowns, not to mention 30 catches for 176 yards and one score. Florida State's run defense is also solid, allowing 125.1 yards on average, but it's nowhere near as dominant as the Hurricanes, and it's been extraordinarily difficult for everyone else to contain Smothers this season. 

Hawaii at UNLV

Pofele Ashlock, WR, Hawaii ($5,700 on DraftKings, $8,300 on FanDuel) 

Jackson Harris has been on an absolute heater for Hawaii, which is why he's appropriately priced as the top receiver on both websites. Still, Ashlock is a cheaper option and could still be in line for a huge day. First of all, he's been no slouch himself with 58 grabs for 633 yards and six touchdowns this fall. What's more, UNLV's secondary ranks 118th nationally, allowing 264.1 passing yards per game — there should be room for multiple Rainbow Warrior pass-catchers to thrive. 

Micah Alejado, QB, Hawaii ($7,500 on DraftKings, $10,400 on FanDuel) 

There are plenty of reasons to like Alejado in this one. First of all, the Runnin' Rebels' secondary, as outlined above, has been one of the worst in the nation. Unsurprisingly, that's translated for fantasy purposes, as UNLV allows 28.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the worst mark in the Mountain West. But Alejado himself has also played extremely well since returning from his foot injury. The redshirt freshman has thrown for three touchdowns in five straight games and has 1,794 passing yards in that span. He's been scorching hot, and he's just the third-most expensive quarterback on the slate. Alejado looks like a no-brainer. 

Also Consider: Keyvone Lee, RB, UNLV ($4,800 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel)