Last season, Baylor and TCU were ranked co-champions of the Big 12, despite Baylor defeating TCU for the second year in a row. We've learned that every game counts in a powerhouse conference like the big 12, no matter how early in the season. Despite Baylor's protest, they lost to Michigan State in the cotton Bowl, the only Bowl game played on New Years Day that was not part of the playoff series.

That, along with TCU's season debut against Minnesota on Thursday evening, makes for a long college football kickoff weekend that is already reminiscent of last years controversies and most talked about spectacles. Friday has a smaller slate of matchups that are available for fantasy lineups, but quality certainly outweighs quantity this time around.

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Daily Fantasy College Football Picks for 9/4 DraftKings CFB

With the NCAA college football season finally upon us, there is nothing better than a little Daily Fantasy Football on DraftKings. Below are our favorite DraftKings daily fantasy picks for the second night of the college football season on Friday, September 4th.  There are four games that stand out for their sleeper and value picks in DFS, so those are the games we'll be taking a look at.

 

DFS Picks for 9/4 Baylor Bears @ SMU

Baylor's success or failure will largely be contributed to their quarterback, who will see his first competitive snap as starter on Friday. Head Coach Art Briles has a good track record in that department, but SMU runs a similar offense and is expected to be more effective this season. Baylor will probably take the win, but it's going to be a close game.

Baylor QB Seth Russel is the priciest in his position on Friday at $9,800, while SMU QB Matt Davis, who has more experience and insignifigantly less FPPG (fantasy points per game), is going for $6,800. Given the execution of a run and shoot offense, and the speed of SMU's offense AND defense, I think the bargain QB, Davis, might be the more economical pick. It wouldn't be the first time that the losing quarterback ran up more points on a fantasy board.

Baylor running back, Shock Linwood, is a huge play maker and will probably see more action than SMU RB, Prescott Line. Neither team utilizes their tight ends, so it is wiser to grab one from another match up. However, wide recievers Corey Coleman and KD Cannon of Baylor will likely be making tons of contact with the football.

 

DFS Picks for 9/4 Michigan State Spartans @ Western Michigan Broncos

Michigan State QB Connor Cook is the most experienced quarterback in the big ten, and is probably only second best to whoever wins the starting job at Ohio State. However, Cook needs to improve on completing his passes, and he usually doesn't break 20 FPPG. For the price, he may not be worth the investment. Also, Tony Lippett was his top target and is gone to the NFL, so the Spartans are a team that you want to see play at least one game before you count on them to deliver.

As for Western Michigan, don't be afraid to bank on running back Jarvion Franklin ($7,800) who along with WR Corey Davis ($7,500) will be one of the bigger go-to guys of the game that never fails. Although the underdog this time around, Western Michigan seems more likely to take the win.

 

DFS Picks for 9/4 Washington Huskies @ Boise State

Washington has had a ton of turnover in the roster, and will be playing mostly newbies on both sides of the ball. In the Pac 12, you need defense to stay alive, and that's just what the Huskies had last season that helped them finish out with an 8-6 record.

Wide Reciever Jaydon Mickens is the most proven member of the team, and at $5,400, you can't go wrong... Contingent upon their quarterbacks ability to connect with intended recievers. However, the WR with the most payoff in this matchup will indubitably be Sean Williams-Rhodes ($6,000) of Boise State. Williams-Rhodes was also used on flanker reverses last season with impressive outcomes, so don't be surprised when he inevitably runs the ball a few times.

WR Thomas Sperbeck ($5,800) will be taking on more responsibility this season as well, and has comparable FPPG. Overall, Boise State were the Mountain American champions last year, and they're still on the rise. They've got you covered for the win.

 

DFS Picks for 9/4 Kent State Golden Flashes @ Illinois Fighting Illini

There are many contingencies for Kent State, who went 2-9 last season. Slot reciever Ernest Calhoun ($4,800) is expected to rise to the occasion in the interest of upping his draft stock, and will double as a tailback from time to time.

Illinois has shown steady improvement over the last 2 years, and there's strong indication that will continue. The Fighting Illini top Reciever Mike Dudek suffered a torn ACL in the spring, and there hasn't been any news of his return just yet. At this point in time, we can only judge on consistency.

Kent State seems to have more talent to work with and if their offense can do as well as their defense, it is likely Kent State could generally turn things around this season. However, Illinois is more poised in their play making ability as far as we've seen, and will likely come out victorious on Friday.

 

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