There are some hefty numbers on the betting board, contributing to amplified projections as we head into Week 3 college football action. We have several highly-rated players at each position, making it hard to assess which players will have the most significant fantasy impact. As usual, we’re here to break things down using the FantasyLabs modeling to determine which players are worth including on your rosters.
College football is new to FantasyLabs this season. Inside our Player Models, you’ll be able to utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups for your DFS contests.
Or if cash games are more your speed, you can build your lineups alongside our projections with our Lineup Builder. From there, you can hand-build your lineup or lock in a few guys and let the builder optimize the rest based on our projections.
Let’s dive into this week’s slate!
CFB DFS Quarterback Picks
Sean Clifford (Penn State Nittany Lions): $8,300 DraftKings
The Penn State Nittany Lions continue their climb up the rankings thanks to Sean Clifford’s elite play under center. The senior quarterback is our top-rated option for the main slate on Saturday.
Clifford has been exceptional over the first three weeks of the season, completing more than 70% of his passes over the past two games. Although his yardage has taken a hit over the last couple of weeks, we’re expecting a substantive increase from Clifford against the Central Michigan Chippewas. The Chippewas have given up an average of 298.7 passing yards per game, opening the door for a high mark from Clifford.
The Nittany Lions enter Saturday’s non-conference matchup as meaty -28 favorites, a good indicator of what to expect from Clifford. That’s reflected in the FantasyLabs modeling, with the Penn State quarterback leading our median and ceiling projections.
Jalon Daniels (Kansas Jayhawks): $7,900 DraftKings
Jalon Daniels is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation, and he has a first-class fantasy ceiling against the Duke Blue Devils in Week 4. The Kansas Jayhawks signal-caller could expose the Blue Devils defense and improve on last week’s 123 rushing-yard performance.
Of course, Daniels’ fantasy ceiling isn’t limited to rushing yards. Through the first three weeks of the season, Daniels is completing 67.1% of his passes for an average of 188.7 yards per game. More impressively, Daniels has thrown for seven touchdowns against just one interception, highlighting his improved play in his junior season.
Duke’s defense has been one of the worst in the ACC, allowing the fifth-most yards and looking susceptible against the pass and run. Given the Blue Devils’ defensive struggles, we could see Daniels end the day with the best fantasy showing on the main slate.
Hendon Hooker (Tennesee Volunteers): $8,100 DraftKings
The Tennessee Volunteers host the Florida Gators in the pre-eminent SEC matchup of the weekend. The Vols have risen into the top 10 in the nation, with Hendon Hooker leading the charge. He’s poised for another strong showing in a home matchup against a conference rival.
Hooker has looked exceptional early this season and should maintain his elite metrics against the Gators’ questionable defense. Florida has allowed the fourth-most yards in the SEC and has been particularly ineffective against the run. That benefits Hooker, who is more than capable of pulling the ball down and moving it up the field with his legs. The senior quarterback has rushed the ball 22 times this season, the third-most rushing attempts on the team.
However, we’re also expecting Hooker to poke holes in the Gators’ secondary on Saturday. The senior pivot averages 259.9 passing yards per game at home, completing 74.4% of his pass attempts. That’s just a good omen for what to expect from Hooker as he leads the Volunteers further up the standings.
CFB DFS Running Back Picks
Bijan Robinson (Texas Longhorns): $8,300 DraftKings
The Texas Longhorns are a run-first program, contributing to Bijan Robinson’s fantasy ceiling against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. According to our projections, the junior is the premier running back available on the Week 4 main slate.
Robinson is a high-volume rusher, toting the ball 20 or more times in each of the past two contests. Last week, we saw how effective Robinson can be when he rushed for 183 yards against the UTSA Roadrunners. That was his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season, but we’re expecting him to replicate that success on Saturday. Robinson has averaged 7.1 rushing yards or more in two of his three outings this season and also adds value to the passing game.
The Longhorns enter Saturday’s in-state battle as -7 chalk. They will play to their strengths against the Red Raiders with a heavy dose of the rushing attack. That should lead to an outstanding performance from Robinson as he reaches his projected ceiling.
Lew Nichols III (Central Michigan Chippewas): $6,800 DraftKings
Lew Nichols III is looking to improve on his 166 rushing yards and two-touchdown effort from Week 3 against the Nittany Lions. The Chippewas turn to Nichols III more than any other player, and he’ll have an opportunity to shine against a rated opponent.
Nichols III has carried the ball more than 26 times in two of his three games so far this season, surpassing 70 rushing yards both times. Where Nicholls III separates himself from other running backs is his effectiveness at the goal line. The sophomore has five touchdowns through the first three games of the season, finding the end zone multiple times in two of the three games.
The Chippewas will continue to feed the ball to Nichols III in the red zone, amplifying his fantasy potential against Penn State. He’s a low-cost option that should find the end zone, making him a must-play option on the main slate.
Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota Golden Gophers): $9,600 DraftKings
A DFS weekend wouldn’t be complete without a lineup featuring Mohamed Ibrahim. The Minnesota Golden Gophers running back is flourishing this season and will continue his hot start as they kick off conference play against the Michigan State Spartans.
Ibrahim has recorded two or more touchdowns in all three outings this season, rushing for 130 or more yards each time. He set a new standard last week against the Colorado Buffaloes, totaling 202 yards and three scores on just 23 carries. That elevated his yards per carry to 6.9 on the season, the fourth-most in the nation among running backs with more than 50 carries.
Ibrahim is a fantasy stud, which is reflected in his salary. Still, with he’s worth including on rosters and ranks among the best running backs available.
CFB DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Rashee Rice (SMU Mustangs): $8,600 DraftKings
Rashee Rice continues to set the bar higher each week. We’ll see how high the SMU Mustangs wide receiver can fly on Saturday when they host the TCU Horned Frogs.
Week after week, Rice remains a top receiving option. The senior has gone over 130 receiving yards every time out, with at least eight receptions in each game. He possesses game-breaking ability, with his game-long reception surpassing 33 yards each time out.
Rice’s connection with Tanner Mordecai is well-established, with the wide receiver drawing an astounding 35.2% of target shares last week against Maryland. That’s just the tip of the iceberg against the Horned Frogs, who have yet to face a quality opponent this season.
Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State Nittany Lions): $7,700 DraftKings
This week, our correlated wide receiver play comes from the Nittany Lions, with Mitchell Tinsley a solid handcuffing option with Clifford.
Tinsley is coming off a modest 47-yard receiving performance but is in a good bounce-back spot against the Chippewas. The fourth-year wideout has found pay dirt in two of three outings this year and has been an emphasis in the passing game. Clifford has looked Tinsley’s way 23 times through the first three games, with the senior hauling in 13 catches for 158 yards.
The Nittany Lions will move the ball against the Chippewas. As Clifford goes, so does Tinsley. They are a dynamic duo that could tip the scales in DFS bettors’ favor with a solid performance.
Donovan Ollie (Washington State Cougars): $3,500 DraftKings
After being kept out of the end zone for the first two weeks of the season, Washington Cougars wide receiver Donovan Ollie scored twice last week against Colorado State. We’re anticipating a repeat performance against the Oregon Ducks.
Ollie is a preferred option in the Cougars’ passing game, drawing 28 targets. More importantly, he’s hauling in those looks, with 19 receptions and 183 receiving yards. The sophomore should burn the Ducks’ secondary, which has allowed the most passing yards in the Pac-12 and third-most points.
Ollie’s salary doesn’t accurately reflect his boom potential on the main slate. He’s our must-roster wide receiver that should reach, if not exceed his fantasy ceiling.
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