CFB DFS differs from traditional NFL DFS in a few key areas. Rosters do not require a defense and instead incorporate a superflex where a second quarterback can be rostered. With the exception of short slates, using a second quarterback generally makes the most sense. From there, traditional stacking rules and other general football DFS strategies apply (such as looking at college football ownership projections). With that said, let’s get into the CFB Week 10 DFS picks and projections for Tuesday, Oct. 31.
CFB Week 10 DFS Picks and Projections | Tuesday, Oct. 31
Quarterback
Dequan Finn ($8,300): Toledo is a 16-point favorite over Buffalo in a game with a 52.5 total, and the Rockets rank 62nd in pace and throw 38.5% of the time. Even in a run-heavy offense, Dequan Finn stands out as the top quarterback behind his 472 rushing yards. As a passer, Finn averages 178.6 yards per game on 23.9 attempts. He clearly stands out as the top quarterback option on the slate.
Rocky Lombardi ($6,500): Northern Illinois is a 5.5-point favorite over Central Michigan in a game with a 45.5 total. NIU ranks 101st in pace and throws 46.1% of the time. This offense doesn’t ask much of quarterback Rocky Lombardi, as he averages 25.5 pass attempts per game for 170.6 yards. He only has 12 cumulative rushing yards this year, but he previously rushed for 473 in 2021. Northern Illinois fed him 15 designed attempts over the last two games, so perhaps there is some upside.
Jase Bauer ($7,500): Central Michigan ranks 89th in pace and throws 47.6% of the time. With Bert Emanuel Jr. injured, Jase Bauer has handled all of the pass game work. He averages 24.6 attempts per game for 152.3 yards. Bauer also has solid mobility with 223 cumulative yards. His designed attempts fluctuate wildly, with 14 and two designed attempts in the last two games. While expensive, he still offers tournament viability on this slate.
Cole Snyder ($6,700): Buffalo ranks 56th in pace and throws 51.9% of the time. Cole Snyder averages 194.1 yards per game on 34 pass attempts while accounting for 39 cumulative rushing yards. Normally in play for tournaments, the coaching staff indicated a desire to use multiple quarterbacks moving forward. With that risk in play, Snyder drops down the quarterback rankings on this slate.
Running Back
Peny Boone ($6,100): Buffalo allows 5.4 yards per carry to opposing backs, setting up both Peny Boone and Jacquez Stuart for efficiency. Boone averages over 100 yards per game on 15.9 touches, while Stuart sees 10.5. At least one should be in every lineup, and they can be played together.
Antario Brown ($5,700): Northern Illinois uses a running back committee featuring Antario Brown and Gavin Williams. Brown averages 84.5 rushing and 5.5 receiving yards on 15.6 touches. Williams averages 35.4 rushing and 13 receiving yards on 9.3 touches. Williams has a slightly better route rate, but Brown’s larger opportunity share gives him a slight edge against a Central Michigan defense allowing 4.6 yards per carry to opposing backs.
Marion Lukes ($5,500): Central Michigan played its last game without Myles Bailey. His status hasn’t been updated, and there’s a good chance info will not come before kickoff. Without him, Marion Lukes handled 18 touches and five targets in their last game. This is a 50/50 timeshare when both are healthy, but Lukes could handle a feature back role if Bailey misses again.
Jacqez Barksdale ($4,100): This was previously a two-back committee, but Buffalo began involving Jacqez Barksdale into the rotation last week. Barksdale, Ron Cook Jr., and Mike Washington Jr. all saw 10 touches in that game. With Barksdale coming in at the cheapest price, he makes sense in a situation best left to larger tournaments.
Wide Receiver
Trayvon Rudolph ($5,700): Northern Illinois has played their last two games without top receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz. This led to 15 targets for Trayvon Rudolph. While he only averages 26.9 yards per game, Rudolph registered 892 receiving yards on 51 catches in 2021 before getting injured last year. Behind these two, Jalen Johnson and Davis Patterson stand out as the primary beneficiaries of another potential Rutkiewicz absence.
Cole Harrity ($4,600): With Buffalo’s elevated pass rate, playing the pass catchers has merit. Cole Harrity and Marlyn Johnson both have 44 targets this year, but Johnson holds a 290-249 receiving edge. Harrity comes in cheaper, making him a slightly better price-adjusted play. With that said, both can be played, along with Boobie Curry and Darrell Harding Jr. for tournaments.
Junior Vandeross III ($5,500): Toledo funnels most of their pass game work through Jerjuan Newton and Junior Vandeross III. Despite a wide gap in price, these two project closely. Vandeross actually holds a 400 to 381 yardage edge despite seeing four fewer targets. Both can be played with confidence, while Larry Stephens, Jaden Dottin, and tight end Anthony Torres offer leverage for tournaments.
Jesse Prewitt III ($5,300): Central Michigan’s leading receiver, Jesse Prewitt III averages 47.4 yards per game on 4.6 targets. He also logged a 97% route share, putting him slightly ahead of Tyson Davis and Chris Parker.
