The college football season enters Week 4 with marquee weekend matchups and CFB DFS contests on deck. DraftKings’ Saturday night slate kicks off at 7 pm ET and features seven games:
- Florida (-4.5) at Tennessee, Over/Under: 46.5 – 7 pm ET
- Louisiana Tech at LSU (-20.5), Over/Under: 51.5 – 7 pm ET
- Army at Oklahoma (-31), Over/Under: 63 – 7 pm ET
- Texas Tech at Oklahoma State (-14), Over/Under: 78 – 7 pm ET
- Arkansas at Auburn (-30), Over/Under: 58 – 7:30 pm ET
- Stanford (-2.5) at Oregon, Over/Under: 56 – 8 pm ET
- Wisconsin (-3) at Iowa, Over/Under: 43.5 – 8:30 pm ET
Check out The Action Network’s Live Odds page for line updates.
Game of the Slate: Texas Tech at Oklahoma State (-14)
With a 78-point Vegas total, and two teams that rank in the top 10 in the NCAA for total offense, Texas Tech-Oklahoma State is by far the best game on this slate. In fact, this matchup is so rich in DFS potential that my entire slate breakdown will consist solely of players from this one game. Aggressively stacking this contest is vital to fielding a competitive DFS lineup this week, so I’m providing you as much detail on as many Red Raiders and Cowboys players as I can fit into one article. At the end of this breakdown, I will also provide some alternatives from outside this game stack.
Quarterbacks
Alan Bowman (Texas Tech): $10,000 DraftKings; $10,600 FanDuel
A true freshman, Bowman has amassed an 1160-8-0 passing line in three games this season. He ranks first in the Big 12 in attempts, completions and passing yards. In a barn-burner against Houston last week, he passed for 605 yards, which broke the Big 12 freshman record for passing yards in a single game (previously set by Patrick Mahomes in 2014). He leads a Red Raiders offense that ranks No. 1 in the NCAA with 624.3 yards of total offense per game.
Taylor Cornelius (Oklahoma State): $9,800 DraftKings; $10,500 FanDuel
While Bowman earned the Texas Tech starting quarterback job as a true freshman, Cornelius had to wait four years for his opportunity. The 6-foot-6, 232-pound senior sat behind Mason Rudolph from 2015-2017, and now leads a potent Cowboys offense. Through three games, he boasts a 971-7-3 passing line and a 25-71-2 rushing line. Cornelius’ large frame and mobility make him a legitimate threat to run, unlike his predecessor Rudolph or his opponent Bowman. On a national stage against Boise State last week, Cornelius threw for 243 yards and a touchdown and added 41 yards rushing and two rushing scores.
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Running Backs
Justice Hill (Oklahoma State): $9,100 DraftKings; $9,800 FanDuel
Hill rushed for 1,467 yards and 15 touchdowns last season for the Cowboys. He also had more than 1,000 yards rushing as a freshman in 2016. Through three games this season, he’s compiled a 34-277-4 rushing line in limited action. Against Boise State last week, the OSU coaching staff fed him a more typical 15 carries, which he converted into 123 rushing yards and a touchdown. He should be the most-talented and most-accomplished running back on the field Saturday night.
Ta’Zhawn Henry (Texas Tech): $7,100 DraftKings; $9,400 FanDuel
Texas Tech has dealt with injuries to Da’Leon Ward (groin) and Tre King (knee) early this season, which thrust the freshman Henry into the No. 1 running back role last week for the Red Raiders. Against Houston, Henry rushed 24 times for 111 yards and four rushing touchdowns — not bad for a freshman. Importantly, he also caught seven passes for 42 yards. Continue to monitor Ward’s health leading up to kickoff on Saturday. If Ward stays out, don’t hesitate in rostering Henry.
Da’Leon Ward (Texas Tech): $6,000 DraftKings; $8,600 FanDuel
As mentioned above, Ward has been dealing with a groin injury for the past two weeks. However, should he suit up on Saturday, he should reclaim his role as Texas Tech’s lead back. After a promising freshman season in 2016, he missed most of last year due to injury and academics. Then, in Week 1 against Ole Miss, he posted a 17-90-2 rushing line, instantly reminding everyone what he is capable of. If he is confirmed to be healthy for this contest, roster him with confidence — and at a steep salary discount for a player of his magnitude.
J.D. King (Oklahoma State): $4,200 DraftKings; $7,900 FanDuel
King performed admirably as a freshman last season, rushing 99 times for 469 yards and four touchdowns while playing behind Justice Hill in the Cowboys backfield. So far this season, King has secured his role as the Cowboys’ No. 2 running back, rushing 22 times for 100 yards in three games. He is an excellent value play in a game in which both teams may rotate more than usual due to a frenetic tempo on both sides.
Chuba Hubbard (Oklahoma State): $3,000 DraftKings; $7,200 FanDuel
With LD Brown (questionable) hampered by a nagging ankle injury, freshman Chuba Hubbard has stepped up as Oklahoma State’s No. 3 running back and dedicated kick returner. Through three games, he has gained 151 total yards and two total touchdowns. He has also averaged 27.8 yards per kick return, granting him bonus upside for a special teams touchdown.
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Wide Receivers
Antoine Wesley (Texas Tech): $8,200 DraftKings; $10,100 FanDuel
Wesley is currently fifth in the FBS with 413 receiving yards, and he is coming off a career game last week against Houston. He caught 13 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. That production may be extraordinary, but it is no fluke. Wesley stands at 6-foot-5 and is averaging an impressive 18.0 yards per catch this season. He is one of the Red Raiders’ eminent big-play threats and an excellent red-zone target.
Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State): $7,800 DraftKings; $10,000 FanDuel
Wallace has been the Cowboys’ most consistent and productive receiver through three games this season. He’s totaled 319 yards receiving on 19 receptions, turning two of those catches into touchdowns. And last week against Boise State, he caught five passes for 105 yards but failed to score. Wallace’s receiving volume is the most substantial among Oklahoma State’s wideouts, making him an excellent cash-game play in a high-scoring, high-possession contest.
T.J. Vasher (Texas Tech): $7,300 DraftKings; $9,100 FanDuel
Vasher is the Red Raiders’ top returning receiver, posting a 29-545-6 receiving line in nine games last season. Like his teammate Wesley, Vasher is tall (6-foot-6), athletic and sure-handed. He has earned a receiving line of 13-211-2 so far this season, with his best game coming last week against Houston. Against the Cougars, Vasher caught six passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Vasher plays the “Z” receiver position for the Red Raiders, which makes him their dedicated deep threat.
Dillon Stoner (Oklahoma State): $6,500 DraftKings; $8,600 FanDuel
Stoner is one of the Cowboys’ leading receivers from last season, having hauled in 44 passes for 576 yards and six touchdowns in 2017. He has been a reliable staple of Oklahoma State’s passing attack thus far, averaging 4.3 catches per game for 50.3 yards. Stoner also serves as the Cowboys’ dedicated punt returner, which offers additional upside for a special teams touchdown.
Ja’Deion High (Texas Tech): $6,000 DraftKings; $9,300 FanDuel
High has stepped up this season for the Red Raiders, catching 14 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns in three games. He particularly impressed last week against Houston, hauling in seven receptions for 120 yards. At $6,000 on DraftKings, his salary more conveniently fits into lineup builds than those of some of the top-tier receivers in this game, but he offers similar big-play upside in a likely shootout.
Jalen McCleskey (Oklahoma State): $5,800 DraftKings; $8,100 FanDuel
McCleskey is the Cowboys’ lone four-year player for their receiving corps. He achieved a solid 50-645-5 receiving total last season, and in 2016 he produced a 73-812-7 receiving line. Even though McCleskey has started slowly to begin the 2018 campaign (11-103-2 receiving), he boasts the most experience and highest demonstrable floor projection of any Oklahoma State receiver. Additionally, due to his disappointing showing against Boise State last week (3-26-0), he may offer lower ownership for tournament consideration.
Tyron Johnson (Oklahoma State): $5,200 DraftKings; $9,000 FanDuel
Johnson is a boom-or-bust option for guaranteed prize pools. The LSU transfer is averaging 23.1 yards per catch this season, but he has hauled in only eight receptions through three games. Nonetheless, as a starting outside receiver for the Cowboys, he offers important value as a deep threat. Oklahoma State has also utilized him in the red zone, where he has rushed for a touchdown this season.
KeSean Carter (Texas Tech): $3,700 DraftKings; $7,500 FanDuel
A true freshman, Carter has already made an impact for the Red Raiders. Playing as an inside receiver, Carter has caught 14 passes this season for 143 yards. Though he has not yet scored this year, he offers value as a consistent receiving target and chain-mover for the offense. At just $3,700, he is by far the cheapest wide receiver in this contest who has a proven market share of targets. This makes him a nice cash-game play, especially since his salary makes him easy to fit into a lineup.
Alternatives From Other Games on the Slate
Quarterback
- Kyler Murray (Oklahoma): $10,800 DraftKings; $10,400 FanDuel
- K.J. Costello (Stanford): $7,400 DraftKings; $9,400 FanDuel
- Kelvin Hopkins Jr. (Army): $6,200 DraftKings; $8,700 FanDuel
Running Back
- Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin): $9,300 DraftKings; $9,900 FanDuel
- Nick Brossette (LSU): $8,600 DraftKings; $9,200 FanDuel
- Darnell Woolfolk (Army): $4,700 DraftKings; $7,800 FanDuel
Wide Receiver
- Marquise Brown (Oklahoma): $8,400 DraftKings; $9,900 FanDuel
- A.J. Taylor (Wisconsin): $5,500 DraftKings; $8,800 FanDuel
- Marquez Callaway (Tennessee): $4,900 DraftKings; $6,500 FanDuel
Photo Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Pictured Above: Taylor Cornelius
