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 9 DFS picks and projections for Thursday, Oct. 26.
CFB Week 9 DFS Picks and Projections | Thursday, Oct. 26
Quarterback
Darren Grainger ($7,100): Georgia State is a 1.5-point underdog to Georgia Southern in a game with a 63 total. This team also has the 52nd-ranked pace and a 42.6% pass rate. The slate’s premier dual-threat quarterback is Darren Grainger, who averages 233 passing yards per game on 27.3 attempts. He also has accounted for 368 rushing yards total. Georgia Southern has played decent defense so far, but Grainger’s rushing skill set in this shootout environment stands out.
Davis Brin ($6,900): On the other side of the Georgia State game, Georgia Southern leads the slate with a 32.25 implied team total. This offense also runs the aid raid, ranking 22nd in pace with a 64.8% pass rate. On 46.6 attempts per game, Davis Brin averages 304.6 yards. While he doesn’t provide mobility, Brin draws a solid matchup against a Georgia State defense that ranks outside the top 100 in pass coverage.
Kyron Drones ($6,400): Coming off a bye, Virginia Tech is a 2.5-point favorite over Syracuse in a game with a 47 total. Virginia Tech ranks 85th in pace and throws 46.2% of the time. However, Kyron Drones‘ dual-threat ability stands out in this game environment. Drones averaged 12 designed rush attempts per game over Virginia Tech’s last four contests, contributing to his 344 cumulative rushing yards. While Drones only averages 148.3 passing yards per game, his rushing gives him an excellent floor.
Garrett Shrader ($7,400): On the other side of the Virginia Tech game, Syracuse has a 47.6% pass rate and 37th-ranked pace. Mobile quarterback Garrett Shrader has rushed for 358 yards while averaging 195.9 passing yards per game on 25.4 attempts. Virginia Tech allows 4.8 yards per carry to opposing offenses, setting up Shrader and this team for success on the ground. The only thing working against Shrader is price and a lacking game environment compared to the Georgia battle in the Sun Belt.
Running Back
Marcus Carroll ($7,000): The top feature back on slate, Marcus Carroll averages 26.1 touches per game. On this absurd volume, he averages 120.7 rushing and 20.9 receiving yards per game. Finding a way to jam Carroll should be a priority on this slate.
LeQuint Allen ($6,600): One of the premier feature backs in the ACC, LeQuint Allen averages 18.6 touches per game for 73 yards rushing and 22.4 receiving per game. Allen had at least 19 touches in three of the last four games. His only contest below that came in a blowout loss in the second-most recent game. Allen also exploits Syracuse’s best matchup on the ground.
Bhayshul Tuten ($5,500): Virginia Tech uses Bhayshul Tuten as its primary back, with Malachi Thomas operating as a change of pace. Even with Drones handling so much rushing, Tuten still averages 17.3 touches per game and most of the pass game work. He offers GPP viability on this slate.
Jalen White ($6,200): After running a timeshare through most of the year, Georgia Southern fed Jalen White 27 carries and five targets in its most recent game. This increased opportunity came at the expense of O.J. Arnold, who only touched the ball five times last week. White is already a decent play in this pass-first offense, and the increased opportunity will thrust White into cash consideration. Playing White is a bet on his increased opportunity, which could be somewhat volatile.
Wide Receiver
Khaleb Hood ($6,000): With Georgia Southern passing so frequently, all of its top pass catchers should be considered. Khaleb Hood looks like the WR1, with 85.4 yards per game on 11.1 targets. Behind him, Derwin Burgess averages 66.6 yards per game on 8.9 targets. Both look like solid plays. Then there is Dalen Cobb, who appears to have taken over WR3 duties over Anthony Queeley. Last game, Cobb eclipsed 70% of the routes, while Queeley fell below 40%. Finally, Jjay Mcafee operates as the main tight end on 4.8 targets per game. All five deserve consideration, with a preference to Hood and Burgess.
Robert Lewis ($5,500): Robert Lewis is the top stacking option with Grainger, as he averages 80.1 yards per game on a 27.2% target share. Behind him, Tailique Williams averages 68.3 yards per game on 5.1 targets. However, an injury to Ja’Cyais Credle has opened opportunity for Cadarrius Thompson. Thompson has now eclipsed a 70% route share in four straight games, making him a solid value play to target.
Jaylin Lane ($5,800): With Ali Jennings going down early this year, Virginia Tech has committed to Da’Quan Felton, Jaylin Lane and Stephen Gosnell as its three top receivers. Lane leads the team with 56.8 yards per game on 5.3 targets. Gosnell also looks interesting as a GPP piece after eclipsing 90% of the routes and earning nine targets last week.
Damien Alford ($4,800): This is the toughest receiving situation to parse on the slate. Syracuse returned Isaiah Jones last game, and though he only logged a 33% route share, this reduced all of the Syracuse pass catchers to sub-70% route rates. Among this group, Damien Alford still looks like the top option, averaging 45.6 yards per game on 5.7 targets. Then Jones, Donovan Brown and Umari Hatcher all function as GPP pivots off the more attractive receiving games listed above.
