We only have one game on Wednesday night, and it’s a showdown between South Alabama and Troy. We're looking at a 55 over/under with Troy a 15-point healthy favorite. We were screwed last week by a game that was supposed to be high-scoring, but ended up 17-7. Let's hope this game goes a bit more to plan.
Let's dive in!
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FanDuel, DraftKings DFS Captain
All Captain options are safe plays and belong in FLEX if you can't fit them as captain.
Kaleb Barker - Troy - DK $15,600 FD $16,000
Kaleb Barker has been questionable since he was hit late against Missouri, but he looks good to go for this one. It’s a rivalry game, and Troy is a healthy 15-point favorite. Barker has thrown for 1,459 yards through just five games, with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s clearly the best fantasy player in this game and will be hard to get away from at captain. Troy throws the ball a ton and this South Alabama defense is nothing to be afraid of. He also spreads the ball around a lot, so it’s hard to focus on just one receiver. Barker will be my captain in about 75% of lineups.
D.K. Billingsley - Troy - DK $3,900 FD $12,000
If you think Troy is going to get it done on the ground, D.K. Billingsley is where you want to go. The entire offense was shut down by Missouri, and Billingsley didn’t see many carries. Prior to that game, he ran for 100+ in two straight with 42 combined carries. He has four touchdowns on the season and I guarantee he gets at least another one or two tonight. South Alabama has a weak defensive line and Billingsley is a lock to go over 100 yards for the third time in four weeks. Billingsley is cheaper than Barker and could easily run for three touchdowns. He’s a must for me in all games, and a GPP captain.
Kaylon Geiger - Troy - DK $11,700 FD $13,000
Kaleb Barker does spread the ball around, but Kaylon Geiger is certainly the WR1. We’re going to ignore the game against Missouri. This team isn’t built to face an SEC defense and an elite one at that. In the first four weeks of the season, Geiger totaled 38 yards through the air with two touchdowns. He’s heavily targeted in the red zone by Barker and could easily pay off in the MVP spot with two touchdowns.
FanDuel, DraftKings DFS Safe Plays
Cephus Johnson - South Alabama - DK $15,000 FD $14,000
This Troy defense isn’t bad, but Cephus Johnson should do enough to at least get it done. I really don’t like him in tournaments, as I don’t see Johnson having a huge night. However, he’s going to have to throw the ball a good amount and 150-200 yards is a safe bet. He also runs a lot, running 70 times for 200 yards and four touchdowns through six games. As the QB, Johnson will have the ball in his hands all night and should reach value by default.
Khalil McClain - Troy - DK $10,500 FD $11,000
McClain is the certified red zone target, standing 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. He has five touchdowns in five games and has caught 18 balls for 222 yards. Kaleb Barker leans on McClain in the red zone and he’s a near-lock to score at least one touchdown here. There’s a very good shot he finds the end zone twice, and I considered putting him in the Captain consideration category.
Reggie Todd - Troy - DK $9,900 FD $8,500
Reggie Todd is another huge target, standing 6-foot-5. This wide receiving core is huge with a dangerous Kaylon Geiger in the middle. Todd is the third option, but he has the talent to get it done and it’s a matter of time before he has a huge game. He’s been up and down through the teams’ first five games, but has been over 100 yards twice. He’s affordable on both sites and I love him if you’re playing Barker at the captain spot.
Tra Minter - South Alabama - DK $14,100 FD $10,500
Minter is the best player on this South Alabama team and they’re going to get him the ball as much as they possibly can. Minter has over 150 yards in two games this year and just got healthy a couple of weeks ago. He gets involved through the air as well, catching at least three ball in every game. Cephus Johnson will have to throw tonight and Minter may be checked down to 5-7 times.
DraftKings DFS Contrarian Plays
Kawaan Baker - South Alabama - DK $11,700 FD $9,500
Kawaan Baker is the number one option in this South Alabama offense when Cephus Johnson is throwing the ball. They’ll try to get the ball to Tra Minter as much as possible, but they’ll be forced to throw if this game goes as we expect. Baker got over 100 yards for the first time last week and will look to double-down against a Troy defense that’s willing to give it up through the air. If we’re assuming South Alabama is throwing the ball all game, Baker is pretty safe.
Luke Whittemore - Troy - DK $14,100 FD $9,000
Whittemore has been the fourth option in this offense all year long, but he has been very consistent and there’s no reason to think South Alabama is the team to slow him down. He’s up to 247 yards and a score through five games, and is a safe bet for 5/50 today with the upside for a lot more. If he can find the end zone, this is the type of 5% GPP play that can win you a tournament.