Championship Week DraftKings CFB Afternoon Slate Plays

The Saturday main slates have been good to us this year. This week, there are good options in all price ranges. We simply need to find the right plays and stacks to maximize our fantasy points. Excited to break this slate down below.

Let’s dig in…

Against the Spread Picks

Louisville (+1.5) vs FSU

Alabama (+5.5) vs Georgia

Total Wagers

Louisville vs FSU (Over 47.5)

Alabama vs Georgia (Over 54.5)

Quarterbacks

Jalen Milroe, Alabama vs Georgia (DK: $9.0K | FD: $10.5K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 25.5)

Jalen Milroe has the highest upside of any QB on this slate, averaging 34.8 FPG over the last four games. Unfortunately, he’s facing a Georgia defense allowing QBs to produce 14.2 FPG. If there is a weak point for the Bulldogs’ defense, it’s their pass rush and tackling. Milroe is talented enough to exploit these deficiencies and be the top DFS QB on this slate.

Jayden Maiava, UNLV vs Boise State (DK: $6.8K | FD: $8.8K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 27.75)

Jayden Maiava is the engine that makes OC Brennan Marion’s unique go-go offense run efficiently. Over the last six weeks, Maiava is averaging 287.8 passing yards. He’s eclipsed 25 yards rushing in six games showing some dual-threat ability to keep defenses honest. The Boise State defense is ranked 117th in PASS YPG (259.8) so Maiava will have plenty of opportunity to utilize his arm in this game. He is also a great stacking partner with the best WR play on the slate, Ricky White.

Taylen Green, Boise State vs UNLV (DK: $6.7K | FD: $9.0K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 30.75)

Taylen Green’s upside makes him an attractive option on this slate. For most of the season, Green was forced into a timeshare with Maddux Madsen limiting his production. However, since Madsen transferred out two weeks, Green has been the exclusive QB1. The UNLV defense is ranked 90th in QB FPG (21.7) so there is an opportunity for Green to hit value, especially if the Rebels are determined to shut down the Boise State running attack. We have Green projected at 18.5 FP tomorrow.

Gunnar Watson, Troy vs App State (DK: $6.0K | FD: $9.7K | O/U: 51.5 | Implied: 29.0)

Gunnar Watson is not a household DFS name, which is why I think he is priced so low. However, he is a very good passer who is averaging 274.0 PASS YPG for 24.1 FPG over his last five games. The Appalachian State defense can make it hard on explosive passing offenses, because they limit explosive passing plays, as we saw versus James Madison. If Watson is patient, then he will have success throwing underneath to his talented receiving options, particularly Jabre Barber. At $6.0K, it will be hard to exclude Watson from our lineups, especially in Cash/Single-entry contests.

Alternatives

Kevin Jennings, SMU vs Tulane (DK: $6.4K | FD: $7.0K | O/U: 50.5 | Implied: 23.25)

Running Backs

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State vs UNLV (DK: $8.0K | FD: $11.5K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 30.75)

Ashton Jeanty is following in the footsteps of past great Boise State RBs, averaging 30.6 FPG this year. Last week, he shed the brace on his injured knee, and accumulated 100 yards rushing and receiving. His ability to catch passes makes him a matchup proof RB. It’s rare that we have two slate-breaking upside RBs on the slate, but that’s the case this week between Jeanty and Ollie Gordon. Jeanty will be much higher-owned with a lower salary and better matchup. I will not be fading the chalk here. Jeanty is simply too good to fade. In fact, he will be a core piece of all my builds.

Kimani Vidal, Troy vs App State (DK: $7.0K | FD: $9.2K | O/U: 51.5 | Implied: 29.0)

Kimani Vidal has one of the best matchups on the slate versus an Appalachian State defense ranked 99th in RB FPG (28.0). Vidal is the focal point of the Troy offense, averaging 21 carries per game. In fact, he has broken the 20-carry barrier seven times this year. Saturday will be his eighth time as Troy will attempt to defeat a hot Appalachian State team. We have him projected at 16.9 FP, but our data shows his ceiling at 23.4 FP and his floor at 5.5. Therefore, I like Vidal much more in multi-entry contests than single-entry due to his volatility.

Makhi Hughes, Tulane vs SMU (DK: $6.4K | FD: $8.9K | O/U: 50.5 | Implied: 27.25)

Makhi Hughes continues a common thread amongst our RB selections this week, volume. Over the last 8 games, Hughes is averaging 22.8 carries and 125.1 YPG for 18.6 FPG. The SMU defense is allowing opposing RB1s to average over 5 yards per carry, so Hughes has a big opportunity here. We have Hughes projected at 16.8 FP, but he will be one of the top three highest-owned RBs on the slate. Due to his high ownership and limited ceiling, Hughes is primarily a Cash/Single-entry option for me.

Alternatives

Kanye Roberts, App State vs Troy (DK: $5.3K | FD: $7.1K | O/U: 51.5 | Implied: 22.5)

$4.5K-or-less options

Roydell Williams, Alabama vs Georgia (DK: $4.0K | FD: $5.8K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 25.5)

Receivers

Ricky White, UNLV vs Boise State (DK: $6.7K | FD: $10.4K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 27.75)

Ricky White is the best WR option on the slate, averaging 20.7 FPG at $6.7K. White is a target hog, averaging 9.8 targets per game with a 35.8 percent team target share. The Boise State secondary allowed opposing WR1s to average 18.0 FPG on 5.3 receptions for 92.6 yards per game. According to their schedule-adjusted FPG, the Broncos' defense allowed opposing WRs to produce 38.5 percent more fantasy points than their season average. White is the WR lock of the slate.

Kaedin Robinson, App State vs Troy (DK: $5.0K | FD: $7.8K | O/U: 51.5 | Implied: 22.5)

Kaedin Robinson is balling out over the last two games with 16 targets, 12 receptions, 176 yards, and 4 TDs for 26.8 FPG. For the entire season, Robinson has been extremely steady, averaging 15.3 FPG. As 5.5-point underdogs, Appalachian State will have to throw the rock around, giving Robinson a good shot to hit value. The Troy defense is allowing opposing WR1s to average 17.1 FPG. According to their schedule-adjusted FPG, the Trojans' defense allowed opposing WR1s to produce 25.5 percent more fantasy points than their season average. I really like Robinson in all contest types tomorrow.

Jabre Barber, Troy vs App State (DK: $4.4K | FD: $8.1K | O/U: 51.5 | Implied: 29.0)

Jabre Barber is way too cheap, averaging 14.5 FPG at $4.4K on DK. Barber accumulated 94 targets on the season for a 24.9 percent team target share. Over the last three games, he is averaging 8.6 targets, 6 receptions and 76 yards for 18.1 FPG. Barber will be a core piece of my lineups this week in all formats.

Prince Strachan, Boise State vs UNLV (DK: $3.4K | FD: $5.5K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 30.75)

Prince Strachan is a WR who has stepped up for Boise State since the departure of Eric McAlister a few weeks ago. In Week 11, Strachan had a true breakout game, turning 6 targets into 3 receptions for 128 yards and a TD for 24.8 FP on DK. Since then, he has come back down to earth with only 2 receptions for 46 yards. However, the opportunity is there as he is leading the team in routes run and targets over that span. He is also an athletic, physical specimen at 6’5” and 203 pounds. In the lineups where I want to stack higher-end talent, I’m throwing Strachan in there with his tremendous upside.

Alternatives

Chris Brazzell II, Tulane vs SMU (DK: $5.4K | FD: $7.2K | O/U: 50.5 | Implied: 27.25)

$4.5K-or-less options

Jacob De Jesus, UNLV vs Boise State (DK: $3.2K | FD: $5.5K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 27.75)