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 Tuesday, Oct. 17.
CFB Week 8 DFS Picks and Projections | Tuesday, Oct. 17
Quarterback
Austin Reed ($9,000): Western Kentucky is a 7.5-point favorite over Jacksonville State in a game with a 61 total. The Hilltoppers rank 44th in pace and throw 63.6% of the time. This volume makes Austin Reed a strong play on a weekly basis. Despite taking a major step back efficiency-wise, Reed still averages 277.2 yards per game on 41.2 attempts. He also has some mobility behind 71 cumulative yards. The lack of alternatives makes him a top-2 option on this slate.
Kaidon Salter ($8,600): Liberty is a 14-point favorite over Middle Tennessee State in a game with a 55.5 total. Kaidon Salter comes in as the top-projected quarterback on the slate behind his elite dual-threat ability. He already has 337 cumulative rushing yards while averaging 225.5 through the air. Middle Tennessee State’s putrid defense will be without multiple starters, further sweetening the matchup.
Carter Bradley ($7,100): South Alabama is a 17-point favorite over Southern Miss in a game with a 52.5 total. The Jaguars rank 72nd in pace and throw 49.7% of the time. Carter Bradley doesn’t have much mobility, but he averages 242.7 yards passing per game on 30.0 attempts. With increased efficiency expected, he makes sense for tournaments.
Nicholas Vattiato ($7,000): Despite coming in as underdogs, Middle Tennessee State ranks 37th in pace and throws 55.8% of the time. In this offense, Nicholas Vattiato averages 259.4 passing yards per game on 37 attempts. Vattiato also has strong mobility, with 151 cumulative yards this year. The matchup against Liberty remains tough, but Vattiato’s dual-threat skill set keeps him live for tournaments.
Running Back
Quinton Cooley ($6,900): In a semi-competitive matchup last week, Quinton Cooley carried 28 times. He currently averages 16.5 touches per game for 101.2 yards. All Liberty backs should dominate this cupcake matchup.
La’Damian Webb ($6,200): Southern Miss allows 5.2 yards per carry to opposing backs, setting up La’Damian Webb for a big game. While Webb doesn’t have the same feature back role as last year, he still averages 16.5 touches per game. This includes a monster pass game role, where he has 10 combined targets over the last two games.
Frank Gore Jr. ($5,100): Despite continually losing games and having a more efficient back in Rodrigues Clark, Southern Miss insists on slamming Frank Gore Jr. into the back of the offensive line 20 times per game. He averages an inefficient 66.2 rushing yards per game, but he hasn’t seen fewer than 20 carries in any of the last three games. The volume keeps Gore in cash consideration.
Anwar Lewis ($4,200): Malik Jackson and Ron Wiggins suffered injuries, leaving Anwar Lewis as the only healthy back. Last year’s leading rusher began the season injured. However, he has played in the last three games. Last week, he carried 15 times and received one target in the pass game. He comes in as the top price-adjusted running back on the slate.
Wide Receiver
Malachi Corley ($7,800): Malachi Corley averages 107.6 yards per game and hasn’t seen fewer than 12 targets in any of his last four contests. Play him in every lineup.
Caullin Lacy ($7,000): With Devin Voisin going down, Caullin Lacy has emerged as South Alabama’s top receiver. He currently averages 120.5 receiving yards per game on 9.0 targets. Lacy should be a priority in cash games.
Holden Willis ($6,300): Middle Tennessee State has reduced its receiving rotation to two main options in Elijah Metcalf and Holden Willis. Metcalf has the slightly better target numbers, but Willis isn’t far behind. In fact, Willis averages 7.8 targets per game over Middle Tennessee State’s last four games, while Metcalf checks in at 9.0. Both remain viable tournament options on this slate.
C.J. Daniels ($6,000): After starting the year in a receiver rotation, C.J. Daniels has quickly grown into a full-time player. He averaged 6.7 targets per game over his last three contests, with 73 receiving yards per game. While his volume doesn’t compare to Corley or Lacy, he makes for an excellent tournament pivot.
Jimmy Holiday ($4,000): Western Kentucky benched Easton Messer and Dalvin Smith in favor of Jimmy Holiday and Moussa Barry last week. Both eclipsed 75% of the routes and can be used as punts.
Latreal Jones ($3,300): Despite its status as a three-score underdog, Southern Miss still throws over 50% of the time and has the 73rd-ranked pace. Both Jakarius Caston and Latreal Jones make sense as punt options. The pair averaged 8.0 and 8.3 targets per game over Southern Miss’ last four contests.
