RADIO
The college football gods teased us with a two-game slate last weekend, but things really open up tonight with a six-game slate full of unknowns. FanDuel and DraftKings have a different set of games, and their pricing is drastically different. It creates two entirely different slates, depending on what site you play on.
Without one game standing above the rest in terms of an O/U, we'll have to dive into each game and uncover some value. Let's take a look at a few top plays at each position! As always, feel free to reach out on Twitter with any questions.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy college football lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 8/29/19. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @VarneyDFS.
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FanDuel, DraftKings DFS Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence, CLEM (FD $10,100 - DK $9,000)
If you're looking to pay up on this Thursday slate, I'll go Trevor Lawrence over Kellen Mond. They're both in similar spots, expected to easily blowout their opponent and have eerily similar team totals. The Clemson Tigers are expected to put up 46.5 points while the A&M Aggies stand at 46. I like Lawrence over Mond for two reasons. One, I expect him to throw the ball a bit more than Mond. The Aggies are trying to figure out who will be backing up Jashaun Corbin, and I expect them to run the ball a ton once they have the lead. Two, these Georgia Tech corners have no height and Justyn Ross + Tee Higgins are going to do whatever they want. I'd rather pay down for my QB, but Lawrence is my favorite way to spend up.
Justin McMillan, TULN (FD $9,000 - DK $5,700)
McMillan is simply too cheap over on DraftKings. He's not in play over on FD at $9,000, but $5,700 is just crazy. McMillan took over in week 8 last season and never looked back. The former LSU recruit is more than a game manager and has upside against this weak Florida International defense. They ranked 89th in the FBS last season and lost a few starters in the defensive backfield. Tulane is a slight -2 favorite and hold an implied total of 29.5. They will certainly try to run the ball as much as they can, but McMillan is extremely cheap on DK and you really don't need much out of him to hit value. He should pass for an easy 200 yards and two scores, and he showed his ability to run last season with 772 yards in their final game. McMillan is easy chalk on DraftKings.
Consider - Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA), James Morgan (FIU), Jayden Daniels (ASU)
FanDuel, DraftKings DFS Running Backs
Michael Warren II, CIN (FD $10,000 - DK $7,800)
There are a ton of options to pay up for at running back, and Michael Warren II is the best of the bunch. If you're playing on DraftKings, Eno Benjamin is the top play and I will have 100% Benjamin on DraftKings. FanDuel hasn't included the Arizona State v. Kent game, so Benjamin isn't an option over there. Michael Warren II and the Cincy Bearcats are slight favorites at home with a 31.5 projected point total. If the Bearcats hold a slight lead throughout the game like Vegas expects, we'll see Warren get 25+ touches and a TD is all but guaranteed. He scored 19 times in 2018 and will hold onto the lone RB spot. He's one of the top ten workhorse backs in college football and a guy I'll have in 100% of cash games.
Zack Moss, UTA (FD $9,200 - DK $7,200)
I don't see much to pay down for at running back. Darius Bradwell should get plenty of touches for the Green Wave, but we're on Justin McMillan and Bradwell doesn't catch the ball. I'll instead save my money at QB and WR. Zack Moss and the Utah Utes will look to start the season on a strong note as they head into BYU as five point favorites. They have high hopes for this season, and they can all be squandered with one loss to start the season. Tyler Huntley is an efficient QB, but this offense runs through Zack Moss and his ability to move the chains. They'll lean on him early and often and even more so if they can get the lead. He's safe on both sites and priced affordably.
Consider - Eno Benjamin (ASU)
FanDuel, DraftKings DFS Wide Receivers
Justyn Ross, CLEM (FD $9,700 - DK $7,600)
I've seen a lot of people ranking Tee Higgins above Justyn Ross and I just don't see it. They're obviously both great receivers, but Lawrence clearly had a unique liking to Justyn Ross in the CFB playoff last season. He caught 12 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns, compared to 7/134/2 for Higgins. There will be times where Higgins is the better play, but that will be in a few weeks when Justyn Ross is a few thousand more expensive. I may be crazy here, but I see Justyn Ross establishing himself as one of the three best receivers in college football next to Shenault and Moore.
Darnell Mooney, TULN (FD $8,600 - DK $6,700)
I've seen folks rank Mooney next to Ross and Higgins, which is incredibly high. I'm not that bullish on him, but he's the clear number one receiver and pairs well with Justin McMillan, our favorite QB on DraftKings. Mooney had a monstrous game last season in one of McMillan's four starts, putting up 217 yards and two scores on six catches. He then proceeded to piss the bed and put together a combined two catches for 29 yards in two of his next three games. He was boom or bust last season, but i'm not sure it's fair to assume that will carry over. Tulane has trimmed some of the fat off the meat and McMillan should be a bit more focused on Mooney. He's a must on DraftKings and a great play everywhere else.
Britain Covey, UTA (FD $8,100 - DK $4,400)
Britain Covey changes the look of this offense entirely. The word out of Utah is that Covey is about 80%, but half of his skill set is better than those priced around him. Utah is paying Covey because they need him in this game. BYU is a good team and they’re a different animal at home. Utah has big plans this season and they can’t afford a week 1 loss. Covey is a solid target in both cash games and tournaments at his price on DK.
