Week 12 DraftKings CFB Afternoon Slate Plays

This is the third official Saturday Afternoon DFS article. Each week, there will be an overlap in players that are written up here with the main slate article considering this slate is comprised of the late games on the main slate. However, half of these players are written up specifically for this slate. It could be helpful to read this article with the Main Slate in mind also, since all these players are available there too.

Let’s dig in…

Against the Spread Picks

UNC (+7.5) vs Clemson

Georgia (-10.0) vs Tennessee

Total Wagers

UNC vs Clemson (Under 59.5)

Memphis vs SMU (Under 65.0)

Quarterbacks

Donovan Smith, Houston vs Oklahoma State (DK: $7.9K | FD: $10.4K | O/U: 59.0 | Implied: 26.0)

Donovan Smith is due for a bounceback week after an atrocious passing performance versus Cincinnati. However, he still ran for 88 yards and produced 17.9 FP, the beauty of a dual-threat QB. The Oklahoma State defense just got torched by another dual-threat QB, John Rhys Plumlee, who threw for 299 yards while running for an additional 74, accumulating 30.36 FP. Garrett Greene, another popular dual-threat QB, produced 28.66 FP. Smith will be a very popular option tomorrow after we all watched Plumlee torch Oklahoma State last week on the main slate.

Alan Bowman, Oklahoma St. vs Houston (DK: $7.1K | FD: $8.8K | O/U: 59.0 | Implied: 33.0)

Alan Bowman is on this list due to the limited options at QB on this slate, and the fact that he is cheap. The Houston defense is allowing 20.4 FPG to opposing QBs this year. However, they have been very inconsistent. Last week, they allowed Emory Jones to throw for 401 yards and 3 TDs for 27.04 FP. While I do think they will return to form in this matchup, Bowman is still intriguing, considering the Cougars will most likely sell out to stop the run. In a game where the Cowboys are projected to score 5 TDs, Bowman should account for at least two of those. Bowman is not a player that I would trust in cash/single-entry contests, but I’d consider him as a dart throw in GPPs.

Ethan Garbers, UCLA vs USC (DK: $6.4K | FD: $9.3K | O/U: 65.5 | Implied: 29.5)

Ethan Garbers is the token cheap option of the week who is playing USC. We saw Fernando Mendoza produce 30-plus FP in a similar situation a few weeks ago against this same defense. Before getting injured versus Arizona, Garbers produced 21-plus FP in back-to-back games. In my opinion, 21 FP is a realistic expectation for Garbers this week as UCLA tries to pull off the upset and delay HC Chip Kelly’s firing. I like Garbers in all formats this week.

Alternatives

Caleb Williams, USC vs UCLA (DK: $10.9K | FD: $11.2K | O/U: 65.5 | Implied: 36.0)

Cade Klubnik, Clemson vs Georgia Tech (DK: $7.3K | FD: $9.0K | O/U: 58.0 | Implied: 32.25)

Running Backs

Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State vs Houston (DK: $8.8K | FD: $10.8K | O/U: 59.0 | Implied: 33.0)

Ollie Gordon crashed back down to earth last week versus UCF, revealing that he is, in fact, human. The crazy thing is that UCF was supposed to be his easiest matchup of the season. Whether it was the game script or extra attention, he simply fell way below expectations. The Houston defense allows a good bounce-back opportunity as they are allowing opposing RB1s to average 20.1 FPG. In fact, six opposing RBs have produced at least 20 FP versus the Cougars. Gordon will be very popular despite his significant rise in salary to $8.8K.

Omarion Hampton, UNC vs Clemson (DK: $7.3K | FD: $9.4K | O/U: 58.0 | Implied: 25.75)

Omarion Hampton is a player who I thought many would fade this week due to his tough matchup versus Clemson. However, it seems that Hampton will be pretty popular. In his last five games, Hampton is averaging 23.6 carries for 155 yards. It’s been truly amazing to watch everything click for Hampton. Yet this is a tough matchup versus a Clemson defense that has not allowed an opposing RB to rush for over 90 yards. While I believe Hampton can certainly have success, he would be the RB I’d fade if I were trying to get different in GPPs this week.

Phil Mafah, Clemson vs UNC (DK: $5.7K | FD: $7.3K | O/U: 58.0 | Implied: 32.25)

Phil Mafah had a career game two weeks ago versus Notre Dame with Will Shipley out. Last week with Shipley back, Mafah outcarried him 17 to 11, running for 93 yards. He didn’t have a TD in the blowout victory, but he is a player that I’m very intrigued with this week in GPPs. The UNC defense is ranked 98th in RB FPG (27.9). Opposing RB1s are averaging 17 carries and 93 yards versus the Tar Heels. If Mafah hits paydirt, then he hits value on this slate while being very low-owned.

Alternatives

Audric Estime, Notre Dame vs Wake Forest (DK: $8.0K | FD: $10.2K | O/U: 47.5 | Implied: 36.0)

Bucky Irving, Oregon vs Arizona State (DK: $7.6K | FD: $10.0K | O/U: 54.0 | Implied: 38.25)

Carson Steele, UCLA vs USC (DK: $6.4K | FD: $8.0K | O/U: 65.5 | Implied: 29.5)

Will Shipley, Clemson vs UNC (DK: $5.9K | FD: $7.0K | O/U: 55.5 | Implied: 35.0)

Parker Jenkins, Houston vs Oklahoma St. (DK: $4.9K | FD: $6.1K | O/U: 59.0 | Implied: 26.0)

Receivers

Tez Johnson, Oregon vs Arizona St. (DK: $7.3K | FD: $8.6K | O/U: 54.0 | Implied: 38.25)

Tez Johnson is the adopted brother of Bo Nix, which we have heard many times on broadcasts. However, I bring it up to explain the incredible connection the two have on the field. Over the last 5 games, Johnson is averaging 9.2 targets, 7.6 receptions, and 104.4 yards for 23.8 FPG. Despite his strong play, Johnson will be hardly owned on this slate. Johnson is an ideal GPP option at receiver.

Ladd McConkey, Georgia vs Tennessee (DK: $6.5K | FD: $7.4K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 34.25)

Ladd McConkey has been excellent for Georgia recently. Over the last three games, McConkey is averaging 6.7 targets, 5.7 receptions, and 103.7 yards for 20.4 FPG. With Brock Bowers back, there is less attention other defenses can give McConkey. Georgia has an implied total of 34.25 points, so we can reasonably expect 4-5 TDs from them in this game. With very little ownership, McConkey is a quality GPP target in a game that has significant scoring upside.

Joseph Manjack IV, Houston vs Oklahoma St. (DK: $5.6K | FD: $7.2K | O/U: 59.0 | Implied: 26.0)

Joseph Manjack has been one of Donovan Smith’s favorite targets this year out of the slot for Houston. In his last 4 healthy games, Manjack is averaging 6.5 targets, 4.8 receptions, 61.5 yards, and 5 TDs for 18.4 FPG. Oklahoma State has allowed some big games to other top slot receivers they have faced, like Jaylin Noel, Caullin Lacy, and Drake Stoops. In fact, those three averaged 8 receptions for 128 yards. This is a great matchup for a player whose ownership will probably be in the single digits.

Logan Loya, UCLA vs USC (DK: $4.5K | FD: $7.2K | O/U: 65.5 | Implied: 29.5)

Logan Loya has surprisingly taken over as the UCLA WR1 over the last 6 weeks, averaging 13.1 FPG. Loya isn’t breaking the slate at that number, but he is hitting value. I imagine USC will do its best to slow down the UCLA running game and force the Bruins to beat them through the air. The USC defense is allowing opposing WR1s to average 5.9 receptions for 90.2 yards and 1.4 TDs for 23.3 FPG. Loya will be a popular play this week at his cheap price point.

Alternatives

Brock Bowers, Georgia vs Tennessee (DK: $7.5K | FD: $8.0K | O/U: 58.5 | Implied: 34.25)

Sam Brown, Houston vs Oklahoma St. (DK: $6.4K | FD: NA | O/U: 59.0 | Implied: 26.0)

Brennan Presley, Oklahoma St vs Houston (DK: $5.5K | FD: $7.2K | O/U: 59.0 | Implied: 33.0)

Tyler Brown, Clemson vs UNC (DK: $4.9K | FD: $7.1K | O/U: 58.0 | Implied: 32.25)

$4.5K-or-less options

Jake Briningstool, Clemson vs UNC (DK: $4.0K | FD: $6.2K | O/U: 58.0 | Implied: 32.25)