Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) throws against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Gobble gobble gobble everyone! This is the most amazing week in terms of football, both College and the NFL, and hands down the best holiday weekend of the year. We have two action-packed slates to break down so I'm about to cram a ton of data into this article like sitting down at Thanksgiving dinner. Seriously folks, is there anything better then slowly slipping into an FIC, aka Food Induced Coma, while watching foosball? I didn't think so. The highlight of the entire weekend arrives Friday night at 8pm when Oklahoma takes on West Virginia. Sadly Draftkings split this game off into a two-game slate Friday night. The salaries on the two-game slate are little softer than what we would expect for these players on a main slate so it should make for an exciting slate despite being only two games. Due to the amount of games and two full slates I will provide players from both nights, but with a condensed summary.
Friday
DK 6800
Opponent East Carolina
Team Total - 25
Ridder checks all the boxes of a cash quarterback. He runs a little, he throws a little, he’s a healthy 19 point favorite, and the salary is forgiving. East Carolina has been putting points on the board lately, but the Bearcats are a step up in the defensive competition so we’ll see. Personally, I don't think 51 is near enough points to contain this game and pairing Ridder with Warren at running back puts your lineup to gobble up most of Cincinnati's scoring. In fact, the pair of Ridder and Warren account for approx 79% of Cincinnati's offensive touchdowns.
DK 6200
Opponent UCF
Team Total - 34.5
It feels really gross rostering Barnett after last week’s misery of a game against my Hootie Owls and I certainly won’t be playing him in cash games. That said, the upside is tremendous. When Blake is on his game he is running and throwing his way up and down the field. Blake was coming off an injury that forced him to miss a game then went on the road against an underrated Owls defense, some rust was to be expected. The Bulls are 14 point dogs with a total of 68. This is a rivalry game being playing on Blake’s home turf. If there is a game Blake can put it altogether fantasy wise, this is it.
Saturday
DK 8500
Opponent Indiana
Team Total - 34
Purdue has been one of the hottest teams in the country over the second half of the season and a big reason has been the play of David Blough. In the nine games since week three Blough has thrown for over 300 yards six times. Michigan State held him in check as they do with most teams and he had a hiccup against Minnesota. Other than that he has been lights out. There is no way Indiana can stop this offense. Blough will have his way and the total of 64 feels way too soft for this matchup.
DK 6600
Opponent Texas Tech
Team Total - 28.75
The quarterback options for the Saturday slate certainly aren't the strongest bunch, but I think there is value to be had in this matchup. Brewer has by in large been fairly effective this season. A few down games and some nagging injuries, but that's all priced into his salary. This week against Texas Tech it should be all hands on deck as both teams need a win to become bowl eligible. Brewer does enough with his legs and through the air to offer a pretty decent floor at this salary. With an implied total of 29.5 there is plenty of opportunity for the BrewMeister.
Friday
DK 5700
Opponent Nebraska
Team Total - 30.75
Mekhi Sargent meets terrible run defense. That's what it will be like Saturday when Iowa runs, literally, all over Nebraska. As I've written on here multiple times this season, Nebraska couldn't stop Doug giving James a piggyback through the A gap. Iowa is traditionally a run-first team and nothing has changed except now it looks like they have finally settled on a lead back. Sargent has received double-digit carries six straight weeks. I wouldn't expect 25 carries, but the opportunity is currently outpacing the salary.
DK
Opponent Bowling Green
Team Total - 30.5
Yes, I still like pairing Ridder with Warren, but in a vacuum, there are simply less expensive backs with comparable opportunity. Patterson is coming off a major dud, a dud in which he found himself in all my lineups. But this is a new week and the tastiest of tasty matchups for a running back. In this on,e Doug could give James a piggyback while also playing the ukulele. Seriously though, Bowling Green ranks 127 out of 129 FBS teams at stopping the run. Prior to last week, Patterson had been a stud averaging over 100 yards and a score over his past five games. Coming off a poor game Patterson’s ownership could be down. Better for you.
Saturday
DK 7600
Opponent Ohio State
Team Total - 29.75
Love, love, love me some Higdon on Saturday. If I could play nine Karan Higdons I would. Ohio State, as I have stated all year, has a terrible defense. Last week Anthony McFarland (who?) shredded the Buckeyes for 298 yards on just 21 carries. Simple math says that's over ten yards a clip. By now you know Michigan runs the ball and plays stout defense. You also know my thoughts on Ohio State. This has blow out written all over it regardless of the fact Michigan is only a small favorite at minus four. This will be an emotional game for sure as one of the country’s premium rivalry games. I don't see it being all that close and I’m happy to put my money where my mouth is. Wolverines BIG.
DK 6200
Opponent Arizona State
Team Total - 31.25
The battle of the Arizona's is upon us. Taylor started the season off rather slow with only one 100 yard performance through the first seven weeks. Then Arizona finally moved to a more run-heavy approach with Taylor being the beneficiary. Over his last four games, JJ has toted the rock an eye-popping 109 times. Khalil Tate is clearly not the same quarterback running the ball which has shifted some of the ground production to the more traditional running back position, which is where JJ comes in. This is expected to be a very close game from start to finish and playing in front of the home crowd, I like JJ’s chances of a heavy workload and hitting value.
Friday
DK 6600
Opponent Memphis
Team Total - 34
There is some underlying risk with this pick given Houston will be starting a new quarterback after King suffered a season-ending injury. That said, Houston’s wide receiving group has been bit by the injury bug. Stevenson was already the Cougars' top wideout, but now it looks like Lark and Corbin are going to miss this week’s game. With a total of 75 and a questionable run game Stevenson should be in line for a heavy workload against Memphis.
DK 6700
Opponent Cincinnati
Team Total - 25
Talk about volume. Prior to last week’s game, Brown was on a four-game tear where he averaged 38.5 fantasy points. Brown has 68 receptions on the year with the next closest at just 30. His 1030 yards are almost 700 more than the next closest receiver. You get my point. Unless he’s triple covered the Pirates are going to try and get him the ball. Don't let last week fool you as East Carolina got out to a big lead and ran the ball. That won't happen against Cincy.
Saturday
DK 7800
Opponent Arizona
Team Total - 32.75
Harry has been on a roll lately with three straight games of over 100 receiving yards and will look to continue his run of dominance this weekend against the Wildcats. As good as Harry is its hard for defenses to key in on him with Eno Benjamin in the backfield and Wilkins always a threat to run. At 6’4” and 213 lbs, Harry is a matchup nightmare in the red zone. He also has the leaping ability to go up and get the deep ball. Simply put, he’s an NFL talent playing against mostly guys that won't play beyond college.
DK 6700
Opponent Baylor
Team Total - 35.25
There is absolutely nothing sexy about this pick, but sometimes slow, steady, and boring is the name of the game. Tech throws the ball as much as anyone so we all know the volume is there. Vasher has been the steadiest of the group with Wesley being the home run threat. Vasher has gone five games with at least five receptions to go along with five touchdowns over that same period. The upside is somewhat limited due to so many weapons for the Red Raiders, but the floor is high.
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