CFB DFS Playbook & Example Lineups: Week 7 (Friday Slate)
Published: Oct 14, 2021
Welcome back college football fans! We’ve got a small but fun slate of games this Friday night & it’s time to build some winning lineups! This playbook will only focus on the DraftKings slate in terms of pricing, but feel free to play on FanDuel with the same players as well.
If you have any questions on specific players or lineup builds, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @dan_servodidio or on the Discord and I’ll try to help out! Without further ado, let’s dive into the Friday night DFS CFB slate for October 15th!
THE SLATE (Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook):
7 pm ET -- Marshall (-11) at North Texas -- 65.5 O/U
7 pm ET -- Clemson (-13.5) at Syracuse -- 45 O/U
10:30 pm ET -- California at Oregon (-13.5) -- 54 O/U
10:30 pm ET -- San Diego State (-9.5) at San Jose State -- 41 O/U
Implied Team Totals (per DK Sportsbook Odds)
Marshall -- 38.25 points vs. North Texas
Oregon -- 33.75 points vs. California
Clemson -- 29.25 points vs. Syracuse
North Texas -- 27.25 points vs. Marshall
San Diego State -- 25.25 points vs. San Jose State
California -- 20.25 points vs. Oregon
San Jose State -- 15.75 points vs. San Diego State
Syracuse -- 15.75 points vs. Clemson
QUARTERBACKS
Quarterbacks | |||||||
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
Grant Wells | MRSHL | UNT | 8700 | 21.69 | |||
Wells should be popular as the QB of the highest-scoring projected offense on this short slate. The Marshall attack is a bit more pass-happy than the normal collegiate team and it usually results in 40+ attempts per game from Wells - raising his DFS floor to a safer level than most. He’ll face a North Texas defense that’s allowed 11 pass TD through five games and presents one of the easier matchups on this slate. Most people will flock to Wells because of the high total in Marshall’s game and he’s perfectly fine in cash or GPP. | |||||||
Anthony Brown | ORE | CAL | 8300 | 20.76 | |||
If not Wells, then Brown is the move in cash for this slate - and he may end up being more popular by lineup lock. The Oregon dual-threat provides a safe floor with his rushing ability that will be needed even more now that starting RB CJ Verdell is out for the year. Cal’s pass defense is also statistically the worst on this slate, allowing 280 pass yards and multiple pass TDs per game. Though Oregon isn’t in as high-total a game as Marshall, the offense could easily be the slate’s top-scorer by the end of the night with Brown getting it done on the ground and through the air. | |||||||
Garrett Shrader | SYR | CLEM | 7500 | 22.38 | |||
If you’re rostered Schrader the last few weeks in DFS, then you easily cashed because of his impressive rushing stats. Since taking over as Syracuse’s starting QB in Week 4, he’s literally run away with the job. Schrader has six rush TDs over the past three games and has 178 and 137 rushing yards over the past two games, respectively. That type of rushing production is hard to ignore from the QB position - especially when he’s also providing some normal passing stats as well. However, he’s only a GPP play on this slate because the Clemson defense should hold him in check and severely limit his dual-threat ability. | |||||||
Austin Aune | UNT | MRSHL | 6800 | 10.72 | |||
Aune is presumably North Texas’ starting QB moving forward after he came in relief in Week 4 and then started in place of Jace Ruder last week. In that recent matchup vs. Missouri, he impressed with 305 passing yards, four pass TD’s and 59 rushing yards added in. Though Aune has work to do as a passer from an efficiency standpoint, he should put up plenty of yardage both on the ground and through the air as long as he remains the starter. In a high-scoring game vs. Marshall, expect Aune to be plenty valuable for DFS and a solid cash Super-Flex option. | |||||||
Jordon Brookshire | SDSU | SJSU | 6400 | 18.27 | |||
Brookshire returned from a foot injury last week and looked plenty healthy with his two rushing TD’s and 45 rushing yards while running the San Diego State offense to near-perfection. Though he plays in a run-heavy offense and his low completion rate needs improvement, Brookshire’s rushing on his own can make him valuable for DFS. It’s hard to expect much passing-wise from him or this offense, but his rushing provides a potentially high ceiling as a Super-Flex in GPP’s. |
Also Consider:
D.J. Uiagalelei -- Clemson ($7,100) -- GPP
Chase Garbers -- California ($6,200) -- Cash/GPP
RUNNING BACKS
Running Backs | |||||||
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
Greg Bell | SDSU | SJSU | 7700 | 18.64 | |||
As the lead back in a rush-heavy offense, Bell’s DFS floor is pretty safe with his consistent volume of carries and high probability of 100+ yards and a TD or two. In fact, he’s rushed for at least 111 yards and a TD in four of five games this season - with 20+ carries in three of those - and the only time he didn’t was because of a shoulder injury that limited him to just two touches. Bell returned from that injury last week, though, and responded with 20+ DFS points. On this short slate, lock Bell into cash lineups with San Diego State being two-score favorites against a middle-of-the-pack rush defense. | |||||||
Rasheen Ali | MRSHL | UNT | 7300 | 28.75 | |||
Plain and simple: Ali is the best player on the highest-scoring offense of this slate and should be popular in cash. Through six games, he’s already racked up 12 total TD’s and is averaging 116 total yards per game with plenty of involvement as a pass-catcher. He has 23+ DFS points five different times and 41 points twice. The floor/ceiling combo is hard to beat on this short slate - especially against a North Texas defense that’s allowing nearly 200 rushing yards per game. Hard to fade Ali in cash. | |||||||
DeAndre Torrey | UNT | MRSHL | 6700 | 21.56 | |||
Marshall’s rush defense is statistically the worst on this slate, allowing 212 rushing yards per game this season and nine rush TD’s over six games. Pair that matchup with how much volume Torrey usually gets - 24+ carries in four of five games thus far - and add in how high-scoring this game should be. Put it all together and you get a very good DFS play as Torrey could easily eclipse 100+ yards and score multiple times to return value. Though he may go overlooked in cash compared to Bell or Ali, the North Texas lead back could easily outscore both. | |||||||
Travis Dye | ORE | CAL | 6500 | 14.44 | |||
With CJ Verdell now out for the year, Dye moves into the lead back role for Oregon. It remains to be seen how the Ducks will divvy up carries between Dye, his inexperienced backups and dual-threat QB Anthony Brown. Dye likely won’t see a heavy workload even with Verdell out - but he could easily find the end zone multiple times to smash value. His floor was already pretty solid as an efficient complement to Verdell, but we might see Brown take away some of the rushing production moving forward. Still, there’s clearly more opportunity for Dye to be a 100+ runner moving forward and he’s a fantastic GPP option on this slate. | |||||||
Kobe Pace | CLEM | SYR | 5600 | 9.44 | |||
We likely won’t know for sure until warmups, but Will Shipley seems out for at least another week. That keeps Pace as Clemson’s lead RB without much competition for touches in that backfield. As the starter last game, the talented freshman ran for 125 yards and a TD on 18 carries with 41 receiving yards on two catches. He’ll be the bellcow with a heavy workload as long as Shipley is out and it keeps his floor pretty safe. It’s hard to set a ceiling on anyone in the Clemson offense right now - and the matchup vs. a pesky Syracuse defense isn’t ideal. Pace is solid for cash though on this slate without many value RB’s. |
Also Consider:
Sean Tucker -- Syracuse ($9,000) -- GPP
Damien Moore -- California ($5,000) -- GPP/Cash
Phil Mafah -- Clemson ($3,900) -- GPP
Byron Cardwell -- Oregon ($3,800) -- GPP
WIDE RECEIVERS
Wide Receivers | |||||||
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
Corey Gammage | MRSHL | UNT | 6900 | 15.1 | |||
First off, there aren’t any top-tier WR’s on this slate that we should be locking into cash lineups - and you should probably prioritize the QB and RB positions. With that being said, Gammage has a very good floor/ceiling combination because he’s the top wideout in a high-scoring Marshall offense. His cash floor is proven with at least seven receptions, 70 yards and 14 DFS points in four of six games thus far - and six for 69 in one other. The only problem is that he’s yet to find the end zone. That could easily change in any given game - but his floor is trustworthy without the TD’s. | |||||||
Justyn Ross | CLEM | SYR | 6200 | 12.82 | |||
After getting knocked out of last game with a concussion, Ross is expected back in there as he’s cleared protocol. Though the stats haven’t been there this season, Ross is still one of the only proven playmakers on a Clemson offense that could break out in any given game. He’s just two games removed from putting up 27 DFS points thanks to his two TD’s and eight receptions. Before the concussion, we see Uiagalelei targeting Ross a ton in the passing game and that should return this week - giving him a solid floor for cash. | |||||||
Shadeed Ahmed | MRSHL | UNT | 6100 | 10.72 | |||
Ahmed started this year slow, but he’s been very good over the past three games. After having four catches for 81 yards vs. App St, he’s had seven catches and a TD with at least 67 yards in back-to-back weeks heading into this one. It’s interesting to see QB Grant Wells look his way in the red zone compared to teammate Corey Gammage - but it’s something we can’t ignore right now. The floor seems safe moving forward, but hard to roster him in cash compared to Gammage. Expect him to be less popular in cash but a solid GPP option with low rostership. | |||||||
Roderic Burns | UNT | MRSHL | 5700 | 16.86 | |||
Though the Marshall pass defense is tougher than most, the North Texas receivers cannot be ignored in a high-scoring game on this short slate. Burns could end up being popular as the No. 1 wideout for UNT - especially when you see that he put up 12 catches for 141 yards in a single game against SMU earlier this season. In last week’s high-scoring matchup vs. Missouri, Burns had five catches for 71 yards and a TD - which is a good sign that he was a favorite target for new starting QB Austin Aune. If you’re fading the Marshall receivers, going the other way with a UNT stack could be a GPP winner - and Burns should be part of that. | |||||||
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
Joseph Ngata | CLEM | SYR | 5200 | 11.26 | |||
Clemson is losing reliable playmakers left and right this season and Ngata is by default one of the team’s better players. His 333 receiving yards leads the team and though Justyn Ross is back, those are the only two proven pass-catchers for Uiagalelei right now with E.J. Williams and Frank Ladson dealing with injuries. Ngata shouldn’t be in the 5k price range for being a top player on a Clemson offense that could easily break the slate on any given week if it wakes up from an early-season funk. Last week, Ngata went for 111 yards on just four catches and his talent is too good to be ignored on this short slate. | |||||||
Courtney Jackson | SYR | CLEM | 4400 | 5.82 | |||
With Taj Harris entering the transfer portal, the path is now clear for Jackson to continue being a top receiver in the Syracuse offense. Jackson has actually led ‘Cuse in receptions and receiving yards in back-to-back games heading into this one as he’s totaled 11 grabs for 121 yards over both weeks combined. He’s clearly a favorite target for QB Garrett Shrader and could easily smash value at sub-5k. The only worry is a matchup vs. Clemson’s defense that may just stifle this offense in every facet. | |||||||
Johnny Johnson III | ORE | CAL | 4300 | 8.3 | |||
The Oregon passing game is a complete guessing game every week and there’s a legit chance none of the pass-catchers return value. However, Johnson is worth a look at this cheap price tag since he leads the team in receptions and receiving yards. The targets and receiving production is so spread out in the Ducks offense, though - making it tough to trust Johnson or anyone else in cash. Johnson is at least an early favorite of Brown’s and could easily smash value if he finds the end zone. | |||||||
Nikko Remigio | CAL | ORE | 4100 | 9.78 | |||
We haven’t touched on it in this playbook yet, but the Cal passing game shouldn’t go overlooked on this slate. The Oregon pass defense hasn’t been sharp this season and has been known to let teams hang around. You could look at Trevon Clark or Kekoa Crawford as cheap options in the Cal receiving corps, but Remigio is just a bit better for the slight savings and similar production. He’s got at least four touches in all but one game thus far and actually has a better floor than you’d think. | |||||||
Jason Pirtle | UNT | MRSHL | 3700 | 6.96 | |||
North Texas is dealing with a couple key absences in the receiving corps and it should result in one of these lower-priced guys to smash value. Deonte Simpson is no longer part of the team and Justin Shorter has been out since Week 3 with an undisclosed injury. It’s kind of a guessing game as to which UNT pass-catcher continues to be a favorite of new starting QB Austin Aune. Pirtle, the tight end, showed something last week when he caught a TD from Aune and had four catches the game prior. You could do a lot worse in this cheap price range than take a shot on Pirtle, who’s 15 catches are second on the team behind Burns. |
Also Consider:
Derrick Deese Jr. -- San Jose State ($5,400) -- GPP
Kekoa Crawford -- California ($4,600) -- Cash/GPP
Willie Johnson -- Marshall ($4,500) -- Cash/GPP
Jaylon Redd -- Oregon ($4,000) -- GPP
Xavier Gaines -- Marshall ($3,900) -- GPP
Jeremiah Hunter -- California ($3,800) -- GPP
Example Lineups:
DK Cash | |||||
Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary |
QB | Anthony Brown | ORE | CAL | 20.8 | $8,300 |
Pivot | |||||
RB | Greg Bell | SDSU | SJSU | 18.6 | $7,700 |
Pivot | |||||
RB | Rasheen Ali | MRSHL | UNT | 28.8 | $7,300 |
Pivot | |||||
WR | Nikko Remigio | CAL | ORE | 9.8 | $4,100 |
Pivot | |||||
WR | Joseph Ngata | CLEM | SYR | 11.3 | $5,200 |
Pivot | Justyn Ross | CLEM | SYR | 12.8 | $6,200 |
WR | Jason Pirtle | UNT | MRSHL | 7 | $3,700 |
Pivot | |||||
FLEX | DeAndre Torrey | UNT | MRSHL | 21.6 | $6,700 |
Pivot | Kobe Pace | CLEM | SYR | 9.4 | $5,600 |
S-FLEX | Austin Aune | UNT | MRSHL | 10.7 | $6,800 |
Pivot | |||||
DK GPP | |||||
Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary |
QB | Grant Wells | MRSHL | UNT | 21.7 | $8,700 |
Pivot | |||||
RB | Travis Dye | ORE | CAL | 14.4 | $6,500 |
Pivot | |||||
RB | DeAndre Torrey | UNT | MRSHL | 21.6 | $6,700 |
Pivot | |||||
WR | Corey Gammage | MRSHL | UNT | 15.1 | $6,900 |
Pivot | |||||
WR | Courtney Jackson | SYR | CLEM | 5.8 | $4,400 |
Pivot | |||||
WR | Johnny Johnson III | ORE | CAL | 8.3 | $4,300 |
Pivot | Kekoa Crawford | CAL | ORE | 10.7 | $4,600 |
FLEX | Shadeed Ahmed | MRSHL | UNT | 10.7 | $6,100 |
Pivot | Willie Johnson | MRSHL | UNT | 8.7 | $4,500 |
S-FLEX | Jordon Brookshire | SDSU | SJSU | 18.3 | $6,400 |
Pivot | Garrett Shrader | SYR | CLEM | 22.4 | $7,500 |