RADIO
Here we go! The first big slate of 2019 is about to kickoff and the college football world couldn't be more excited. FanDuel and DraftKings have gone with very different approaches, with DraftKings taking the conventional split slate approach. FanDuel isn't even offering an early slate, with their main slate starting at noon and ending around midnight.
We'll focus on DraftKings, and I'll be dropping an early slate and late slate piece. If you're playing on FanDuel, you can just combine those two pieces and find your gems. Let's get to what we've all been waiting for!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy college football lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 8/31/19. 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.
FanDuel, DraftKings DFS Quarterbacks
Michael Penix Jr., Indiana ($6,500)
Peyton Ramsey is priced as the starter here, but he's been beat out by sophomore Michael Penix Jr. He tore his ACL after playing just three games in 2018, but completed 61% of passes before he went down as a freshman. He's impressed eough in camp to surpass Ramsey, who's a good quarterback. He should get a ton more opportunity this season with the offense belonging to him, and this match-up with Ball State is phenomenal. In 2018, they ranked 22nd worst out of 140 against the pass. Penix Jr. will also run a bit, and has a ton of upside at this price. The Hoosiers are 17 point favorites and Penix Jr. shouldn't have any issue paying off that tag.
Justin Fields, Ohio State ($9,000)
If you're set on paying up for a quarterback, Justin Fields has a ton of upside and shouldn't be very popular. Ohio State is expected to put up nearly 45 points and Fields will be given every chance to stay in the game for four quarters. It's been reported that Fields is guaranteed nothing pass the first snap, but I'm not worried about him struggling. Especially against this porous FAU defense. With that being said, you don't want a complete blowout. Ohio State is replacing four offensive lineman and FAU is returning a full defensive line. If FAU does get pressure, it may force Fields to use his wheels, and he can put up 200 passing and rushing yards on any given Saturday.
Also Consider: Tommy Stevens (Miss St.), Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), Hunter Johnson (Northwestern)
FanDuel, DraftKings DFS Running Backs
Keilan Robinson, Alabama ($3,000)
With the starting RB's missing team meetings, they will be benched for the first half. Incoming freshman Keilan Thompson will get the start and is minimum priced on DraftKings. It's going to be tough to not have 100% exposure. Alabama is favored by 21 points in the first half alone, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Thompson get involved in at least one score. Remember, this is still an Alabama RB. He's just young. He's more talented than just about every back on the slate outside of a few. Thompson will be 100% owned in high-stakes tournaments.
Patrick Taylor Jr., Memphis ($8,500)
This game between Memphis and Ole Miss has the highest total on this slate at 65. Memphis is favored by five points, so they will theoretically lean on Taylor early and often. He's a great running back, but is also a huge threat in the passing game. Ole Miss ranked 110th in the FBS last season in total defense, and was 7th worst against the run. Taylor Jr. is certainly expensive, but let's hope that keeps ownership down. He scored 27 or more fantasy points in each of his last four games in 2018 and I expect the trend to continue.
Also Consider: Stevie Scott (Indiana), A.J. Rose (Kentucky), Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person (NC State)
DraftKings DFS Wide Receivers
Jerry Jeudy, Alabama ($8,300)
With Harris and other missing the first half, attention should be on Jerry Jeudy. We know Tua loves targeting him and these Duke corners will have no answer. The line is also just 34 points, so we'll likely get a full game out of Jeudy. You can pencil in a touchdown, with the upside for 200+ yards. The Blue Devils are just bad enough to get blown out, but good enough to keep it withing 40. Maybe. This Bama offense is hindered, but Tua and Jeudy shouldn't have any issue moving the ball. With plenty of value on this slate, the $8,300 tag isn't too tough at all to pay.
Donavan Hale, Indiana ($6,000)
If you're playing Michael Penix Jr., you don't have to pair him with a receiver. They have three good options and he's not even primarily a passer. With that being said, Donavan Hale saw the most targets in Penix' three starts last season, edging out Nick Westbrook by three. Hale is a 6 foot 4 big man that can go up and get a jump ball from the youngster. Hale has the upside to score twice and won't be over 10% owned in any format.
Also Consider: Henry Ruggs (Alabama), Colby Parkinson (Stanford), Binjimen Victor (Ohio State), C.J. Riley (NC State)
