By Robert Sanchez
Just like that, the weekend is here which means another full slate of college football games. After last week’s action-packed array of matchups that saw a multitude of players go off for their teams, Week 2 figures to be just as fun.
Hopefully, by now you all are well versed in the world of daily fantasy (DFS), but if not let’s quickly go over the rules once again before I delve into who I like for lineup options. Once again, for college football DFS rosters consist of a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers (which can include tight ends), a flex which can be either a running back, wide receiver or tight end and a super flex position that can be filled with any position, including quarterback.
The point is to set a lineup using a given budget and to have the most points out of all the people that joined whatever contest you entered. Each player you pick costs a certain amount of money and the better the player is expected to do, the more they cost. Rushing yards and receiving yards are 0.1 points while passing yards are 0.04 points. Rushing and receiving touchdowns are 6 points and passing touchdowns are 4 points. Each reception is another 0.5 points but interceptions are -1 point. Fumbles lost are -2 points while successful two-point conversions are 2 points.
Starting to click? Great! Let’s get started. Again, I’m using DraftKings which only allows lineups to be made from a certain slate of games so for today, I’ll be picking players from the 7:00 p.m. slot of games (7 games) and I’ll be using a budget of $50,000.
Quarterbacks
Anthony Richardson, Florida ($6,800) — Yes, I’ll be honest, after one game I’m sold on Richardson. In his first game against a top-10 team this season in Utah while in the national spotlight, the sophomore couldn’t have looked more unfazed. We all saw the spin moves, the athleticism, the efficiency and the toughness which is why I’m confident, even after one game, that this guy is not only a gamer, but a winner.
It’s clear to me that Richardson will somehow have his hand in the outcome of this game and with the Gators being favored by 5.5 points, I suspect the 21-year-old to be front and center. No, Richardson didn’t throw for any touchdowns in his last game. Instead, all he did was lead his team in rushing yards with 106 yards on 11 carries and three (!) touchdowns.
Not only is that insanely impressive, it’s hugely important for DFS where rushing yards and rushing touchdowns are worth more than passing yards and passing touchdowns. Will Richardson rush for three more touchdowns tonight? Probably not, although I wouldn’t bet against it, but even if he doesn’t have a signature running game like he did against the Utes, he still went 17-for-24 on pass attempts for 168 yards and showed maturity and an understanding of when to throw it and when to keep it.
So, even though the Wildcats are an above-average team against the pass, Richardson should still be able to find some avenues to throw. It’s also good to know that Kentucky ranks 94th against the run, so if and when Richardson decides to run, he’ll have the ability to break one off.
At this price, for a player who’s basically a quarterback AND a running back, it’s a no brainer.
Running backs
Sean Tucker, Syracuse ($9,400) — After bargain hunting in the quarterback room, we now have the option to invest in the most expensive running back for this slate of games in Tucker. And trust me, he’s worth the price tag.
After stomping Louisville at the Carrier Dome, the Orange now go on the road to play UConn, who most experts and analysts believe to be one of the worst FBS teams in the country this year. I’ll give the Huskies credit, they stuck around in their first matchup against Utah State and beat the tar out of Central Connecticut State last week, but the level of competition will be a bit different when Syracuse rolls into town.
Not to mention, in their two games so far this season, UConn has given up 224 rushing yards to both team’s lead backs which is a disgrace if you’re a Huskies fan. Now add in Tucker who is an absolute force with the ball in his hands and you’ve got trouble. The formidable sophomore started his 2022 campaign off with 98 rushing yards on 21 carries and a touchdown and was also Syracuse’s lead receiver, hauling in six catches for 85 yards and another touchdown.
We’re basically getting two-in-one with Tucker. With the spread favoring the Orange by 23 points and UConn not defending either the pass or the rush particularly well, expect Tucker to be involved early and often in a blowout.
Wide Receivers
Keylon Stokes, Tulsa ($7,600) — For receivers, I’m going to aim for somebody who is cost-effective but who I think can still put up a monster game. And rather than go with somebody like Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims ($7,700), I’m taking a shot with Stokes who I think has way more value and upside.
First of all, unlike Mims and the Sooners who are 32.5-point favorites against Kent State, the Golden Hurricane are just six-point faves against Northern Illinois. Because it’s expected to be a close game, Stokes and the rest of Tulsa’s starters will be playing for the entire match, giving us more opportunities for points. While it’s true that Oklahoma is going up against an inept Golden Flashes passing defense, we would be putting too much faith that Mims would get his points before inevitably departing the game for some of the second-string players in what should be an easy victory for the Sooners.
On the other hand, going with Stokes, who is facing a Huskies pass defense that is 147th in the nation, not only are we not losing that much on opponent ranking, there’s a much better chance that we don’t run the risk of Stokes sitting out the final quarter or even quarter and a half. In Tulsa’s last game against Wyoming, the senior grabbed 11 receptions for a game-high 169 yards and a touchdown in a high-scoring affair. And even though, Stokes’ fellow receivers Malachai Jones ($5,000) and J.C. Santana ($7,900) had 13 catches, 205 yards and two touchdowns between the two of them, this game figures to be another track meet with a total of 63.5.
So, even if Jones and/or Santana take some catches away from Stokes, he should still manage to carve out enough production of his own.
