CFB DraftKings Cash & Single Entry: September 24

Excited to kickoff another big CFB DFS weekend!

These Friday night slates have been incredible so far, filled with fun matchups producing plenty of fantasy action. This week is no different as we get two Konami Code QBs in Brennan Armstrong and Malik Willis along with three very solid, affordable options at RB in Sean Tucker, Ronnie Rivers and Christian Beal-Smith. The big question in this slate is who do we choose between Malik Willis and Jake Haener? Haener is the safer option, but Willis has a higher ceiling. If we choose Haener, do we stack him with Jalen Cropper? Can Jaquarii Roberson do his best Josh Downs imitation this week versus Virginia?

Come find out…

Against the Spread Picks

Liberty (-6) vs Syracuse

Wake Forest (+4) vs Virginia

Total Wagers

Liberty vs Syracuse (Over 52.5)

Virginia vs Wake Forest (Under 68.5)

Quarterbacks

Brennan Armstrong, Virginia vs Wake Forest (DK: $8.7K | FD: $11.5K | O/U: 68.5 | Implied: 36.25)

Brennan Armstrong is playing at an elite level right now. He has thrown for 339-plus yards in every game this year with 11 total TDs averaging 40.1 FPG. The crazy thing is that going into this season Armstrong was known more for his running ability than throwing prowess. A minor knee injury versus Illinois turned him into a pocket passer against North Carolina, where he succeeded, throwing for 554 yards and 4 TDs. Virginia has been terrible on the ground averaging 121 YPG so the pathway to victory versus Wake Forest is on the back of Armstrong.

Malik Willis, Liberty vs Syracuse (DK: $8.5K | FD: $11.0K | O/U: 52.5 | Implied: 29.25)

Malik Willis was the consensus CFF QB1 entering the season and has not disappointed, averaging 33 FPG despite two blowout victories in his first three games. Willis is the definition of a Konami Code QB rushing for 55-plus yards and a TD in every game this season. Syracuse is ranked 26th versus opposing QBs in FPG (11.7) so it’s not an easy matchup for Willis. I still like Willis, but as you will see, Jake Haener might be the safer option.

Jake Haener, Fresno State vs UNLV (DK: $7.9K | FD: $10.0K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 44.5)

Jake Haener has proven himself to be one of the top QBs in college football over his first four games. He is averaging 366 passing yards and 2.5 TDs per game. He is facing an UNLV pass DEF ranked 116th versus opposing QBs in FPG (27.1). The only concern is the 30-point spread in this contest means we might not see Haener play much after halftime. He won’t have a dud in this game, but I think his ceiling is limited compared to Malik Willis. However, you can stack Haener with Jalen Cropper so it might be worth the risk in a four-game slate with limited margin for error.

Alternatives:

Sam Hartman, Wake Forest vs Virginia, (DK: $7.7K | FD: $9.0K | O/U: 68.5 | Implied: 32.25)

Chris Reynolds, Charlotte vs Middle Tennessee (DK: $5.7K | FD: $9.5K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 29.5)

Running Backs

Sean Tucker, Syracuse vs Liberty, (DK: $6.4K | FD: $9.2K | O/U: 52.5 | Implied: 23.25)

The best values on the slate are at RB, and it starts with Sean Tucker. Tucker is on a tear as the focal point of the Syracuse offense averaging 122.3 YPG on the ground and another 49.3 YPG receiving. Liberty has been stingy against the run all season, but it’s hard to tell just how good they are considering they have faced Troy, Old Dominion and Campbell. At $6.4K, I like Tucker in Cash/SE (single-entry) as the most reliable target in his price range on the slate.

Ronnie Rivers, Fresno State vs UNLV (DK: $5.6K | FD: $10.5K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 44.5)

Ronnie Rivers is a steal on this slate when you combine his price point and matchup. Rivers faces an UNLV rush defense ranked 109th in YPG (190.33) and 107th in YPC (4.84). Rivers is averaging 20.8 FPG. He is in a great position to hit value and allows us to pay up at the QB position to grab two Konami Code QBs.

Christian Beal-Smith, Wake Forest vs Virginia, (DK: $5.3K | FD: $8.8K | O/U: 68.5 | Implied: 32.25)

Christian Beal-Smith is another affordable RB option on this slate facing a Virginia defense that has struggled to stop the run this year, allowing 200.67 YPG and 5.42 YPC. Both of those marks rank worse than UNLV. Wake Forest also has the 3rd highest implied team total on the slate at 32.25. Beal-Smith is averaging 16.7 FPG on DK so he should exceed value in the game with the highest shootout potential on the slate.

Alternatives:

Shadrick Byrd, Charlotte vs Middle Tennessee (DK: $4.7K | FD: $7.2K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 29.5)

Receivers

Jalen Cropper, Fresno State vs UNLV (DK: $7.4K | FD: $10.2K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 44.5)

Jalen Cropper is putting up elite numbers this year against stiff competition. Through four games, he has 37 targets for 29 receptions, 347 yards and 6 TDs, averaging 26.5 FPG. UNLV is ranked 114th versus opposing WRs allowing 44.1 FPG so there will be plenty of opportunities for Cropper to hit value in this game. We have to consider how the blowout potential in this game might affect his ceiling, but the Haener-Cropper stack is certainly in play.

Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest vs Virginia, (DK: $7.0K | FD: $7.0K | O/U: 68.5 | Implied: 32.25)

Jaquarii Roberson disappeared versus FSU last week as AT Perry went off, but was steady through the first two games, averaging 18.2 FPG. I expect Roberson to bounce back in a big way versus Virginia this week. Coming into the 2021 season, Roberson was one of the top returning slot WRs in college football. Last week, Virginia allowed UNC slot WR Josh Downs to go off for 8 catches, 203 yards and 2 TDs. I don’t expect Roberson to mirror those numbers, but he certainly has the potential to hit value at $7.0K in this slate.

Demario Douglas, Liberty vs Syracuse (DK: $4.4K | FD: $6.5K | O/U: 52.5 | Implied: 29.25)

Demario Douglas is leading Liberty in targets, receptions, yards and TDs, averaging 15.2 FPG yet he is only $4.4K on DK. With an implied team total of 29.25, Douglas will have plenty of opportunities to hit value in this slate and he is a cheaper option that allows us to pay for QBs in this slate.

Jelani Woods, Virginia vs Wake Forest (DK: $4.0K | FD: $6.4K | O/U: 68.5 | Implied: 36.25)

Jelani Woods is another cheap play that should hit value at $4.0K averaging 15.5 FPG on DK. Over the last two weeks, Woods has averaged 22.5 FPG and is the top receiving option in the red zone as an uber athletic TE that stands at 6’7”. I’m expecting another big game out of Woods in this shootout.

Alternatives:

Dontayvion Wicks, Virginia vs Wake Forest (DK: $7.1K | FD: $8.8K | O/U: 68.5 | Implied: 36.25)

A.T. Perry, Wake Forest vs Virginia, (DK: $6.1K | FD: $9.0K | O/U: 68.5 | Implied: 32.25)

Josh Kelly, Fresno State vs UNLV (DK: $6.5K | FD: $7.9K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 44.5)

$4.5K-or-less options:

Jimmy Marshall, Middle Tennessee vs Charlotte (DK: $3.5K | FD: $7.7K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 26.5)

CJ Daniels, Liberty vs Syracuse (DK: $3.2K | FD: $8.1K | O/U: 52.5 | Implied: 29.25)