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 8 DFS picks and projections for Thursday, Oct. 19.
CFB Week 8 DFS Picks and Projections | Thursday, Oct. 19
Quarterback
Cam Fancher ($7,100): Marshall is a 3.5-point underdog to James Madison in a game with a 52 total. The team ranks 41st in pace and throws 48.2% of the time. Quarterback Cam Fancher has the best dual-threat skillset on the slate, with 196 rushing yards while averaging 250.7 passing on 38.8 attempts. James Madison plays solid defense, but Fancher’s floor makes him the safest quarterback play on the board.
Jordan McCloud ($7,700): James Madison ranks 91st in pace and throws 47.8% of the time. Quarterback Jordan McCloud has decent dual-threat ability, with 128 cumulative yards rushing and an efficient 231.3 yards passing per game on 25.8 attempts. The James Madison offense doesn’t open it up as much as Marshall’s, putting him slightly behind Fancher when adjusted for price.
J.T. Daniels ($7,400): Rice is a 3-point underdog to Tulsa in a game with a 57.5 total. The Owls rank 89th in pace and throw 64.2% of the time. Daniels is a pure pocket passer, with negative-58 rushing yards this year after taking 10 sacks. However, he also averages 303.3 passing yards per game on 34.3 attempts. This propensity for negative yards while playing in an air raid system creates a high ceiling but low floor for Daniels. He looks like an excellent tournament option.
Braylon Braxton ($8,000): Braylon Braxton returned from injury in Tulsa’s last game and split time with Cardell Williams. While the two could split snaps again, Braxton has superior dual-threat ability. If announced as the starter, he could be an interesting tournament pivot.
Running Back
Rasheen Ali ($6,700): Marshall running back Rasheen Ali has one of the best workloads in college football. He averages 106.7 rushing and 23 receiving yards per game on 24.0 touches, and he should be locked into most lineups. Ethan Payne averages 5.7 touches per game as the change of pace.
Kaelon Black ($5,000): James Madison uses Kaelon Black as their primary back, with Ty Son Lawton playing a change-of-pace role. Latrele Palmer did not play last week, but an injury was not reported. On the year, Black averages 74.2 rushing and 18.3 receiving yards per game on 17.7 touches. Marshall allows 6.0 yards per carry to opposing backs, setting up both Black and Lawton for solid efficiency.
Anthony Watkins ($6,200): Tajh Gary is doubtful for this contest, which could consolidate opportunities for lead back Anthony Watkins. Watkins already averages 16.5 touches per game and has eclipsed 20 in two of Tulsa’s last three games. Jordan Ford likely will come in here and there, but Watkins should expect a slight bump in opportunity in a strong matchup against Rice.
Dean Connors ($4,800): Rice uses a running back committee consisting of Dean Connors and Juma Otoviano. However, Connors handles the pass catching, which equates to five targets per game over Rice’s last four contests. He averages 30 rushing yards and 51 receiving yards per game on 11.7 touches, and his pass-catching ability makes him a superior target on DraftKings.
Wide Receiver
Luke McCaffrey ($6,900): Rice’s alpha receiver Luke McCaffrey averages 85.7 receiving yards per game on 8.8 targets. With little salary restrictions, McCaffrey deserves to come in as a priority on this slate. For those playing GPPs, Rawson MacNeill and Braylen Walker average 5.0 and 3.2 targets per game as the WR2 and WR3. Tight end Boden Groen also averages 4.2 targets per game and can be fired up in tournaments.
Kamdyn Benjamin ($3,400): Tulsa receiver Marquis Shoulder looks doubtful for this contest, which puts Devan Williams and Kamdyn Benjamin on the field as the top two receivers. Benjamin saw his route share jump to 90% last week without Shoulders. For those looking at value plays, he grades out as one of the stronger options.
Elijah Surratt ($3,400): For some reason, all of the primary James Madison receivers come in below $4,000. Reggie Brown averages 70.5 receiving yards per game on 6.3 targets. Elijah Surratt averages 64.2 yards per game on 5.0 targets. Finally, Phoenix Sproles checks in with 18.8 yards on 4.0 targets. All three are in play at their respective cheap price tags.
Darryle Simmons ($3,300): Marshall runs a nasty receiver rotation, but they could be without tight end Cade Conley and Caleb McMillan here. Darryle Simmons only has a 39% route share this season, but he has 16 combined targets over the last two games. On a slate ripe with value plays, he is another name to add to the mix.
