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We are to the time of year that there is football on most of the day almost every day. It would be the most wonderful time of the year if it didn't mean that the season were almost over and that some players are opting out to save themselves for the NFL. The first bowl of the season is the Bahamas Bowl featuring Middle Tennessee State and Toledo in paradise. This has been an interesting game for the few years it has played. The next is the Cure Bowl featuring Coastal Carolina and Northern Illinois. CCU's perfect season ended in this very same bowl last year.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy college football lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/17/21 locking at noon eastern. I’ll be providing multiple player suggestions for players at guard and forward, aiming to highlight one option apiece at the high, middle, and lower end of the salary scale. Good luck, RotoBallers.
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CFB Betting Picks 12/17:
Toledo(-10.5) vs. Middle Tennessee State at Nassau, Bahamas
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
I liked this line more when it opened at -9, but I still don't really think the Blue Raiders can hang around if Koback plays. He plans on it, so I'm still taking the Rockets but lowering the bet a touch.
Coastal Carolina(-10.5) vs. Northern Illinois at Orlando, FL
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I know that CCU is a good team, but Northern Illinois keeps finding ways to win, or at least stay close, in spite of a defense that has been gouged repeatedly. Their revenge win against Kent to get to Orlando was a statement. They wont be able to run on CCU like they did Kent, but the couple of weeks off should mean that Rocky Lombardi is back to full strength. I see NIU keeping this around a touchdown with a chance to win outright. Give me the Huskies.
DraftKings CFB DFS Quarterbacks
Dequan Finn, Toledo ($8,000)
The Rockets offense really took off when Finn became the full time starter over Carter Bradley. Remember, this Toledo team nearly beat Notre Dame with Bradley under center for 95% of that game. Finn's rushing ability gives him a higher floor, even though he hasn't run as much since he's become the full-time starter under center. Middle Tennessee State is in the middle of the pack in passing yards allowed, but they sniped 16 passes in 12 games this year while only allowing 21 touchdown passes. This should be a game where we see Finn run a little more. Then again, Finn only threw one interception in 211 pass attempts this year. He takes care of the ball, which also lends credence to his higher floor.
Nick Vattiato, Middle Tennessee State ($6,100)
The Blue Raiders used both Vattiato and Mike DiLiello under center in their improbable win over Florida Atlantic to become bowl eligible. Both played fairly well, but it was Vattiato that orchestrated the comeback win. However, he didn't find the end zone in that game. I want whichever one starts because they will have a slightly longer leash. However, this is a GPP-only proposition. It's still safer than Rocky Lombardi against a strong pass defense. However, Lombardi is fine if you need him in cash games.
Also consider: Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina ($8,600); Rocky Lombardi, Northern Illinois ($7,000)
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DraftKings CFB DFS Running Backs
Bryant Koback, Toledo ($7,700)
Coming into the season, I said Koback was the best running back in the MAC. He didn't quite finish that way, but he did rack up an astounding 165.2 DraftKings points over the last four games of the season. That's a shade over 40 DraftKings points per game. The Middle Tennessee State run defense is middle-of-the-pack, but so were Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green. Koback ran for more than 300 combined on them with four touchdowns. He has scored 10 times in that four game span. Expect Koback to put on a show in what could be his final college game.
Jay Ducker, Northern Illinois ($4,900)
There is still no word on Harrison Waylee (shocker!), but there's no guarantee that he'll get his job back even if he is ready to play. Ducker has run for over 100 yards in six of the last seven games, even topping 200 in one of those. The only issue with Ducker is the lack of touchdowns. Lombardi sniped three of them in the MAC Championship even though Ducker ran for 146 yards. A touchdown is possible since the Chanticleers gave up more rushing than passing touchdowns this season, but there's no guarantee that Ducker will get it. However, I still like his chances of hitting triple digits. That's a nice little bonus for this price range.
Martell Pettaway, Middle Tennessee State ($4,400)
Both Chaton Mobley and Amir Rasul took snaps and carries away from Pettaway against FAU, but Pettaway was still by far the most successful back. Still, the Blue Raiders airing the ball out more and basically abandoning the run is a bit concerning. It means they don't really trust their running game. Toledo allowed at least 100 rushing yards to every team but UMass this year. Teams averaged 150.8 yards on the ground per game, but only scored nine touchdowns in 12 games. I'll take my chances with Pettway here. There's an avenue to good yardage totals from him, which pays off the price even if he doesn't find the end zone.
Also consider: Shermari Jones, Coastal Carolina ($6,300); Reese White, Coastal Carolina ($5,300); Clint Ratkovich, Northern Illinois ($4,100); Chaton Mobley, Middle Tennessee State ($3,300)
DraftKings CFB DFS Wide Receivers
Jaivon Heiligh, Coastal Carolina ($7,100)
It appears as though Grayson McCall is going to play in this game, which is great news for Heiligh. Don't be fooled by NIU's dominant performance in the MAC Championship. They were chewed up on defense on several occasions this year. McCall and the CCU passing attack is going to be a problem here. Heiligh is capable of huge games. Injuries to both McCall and Heiligh himself limited him some this year, but I expect a big game from him here.
Trayvon Rudolph, Northern Illinois ($6,200)
Word around the NIU camp is that Tyrice Richie is expected to return, which could take a few targets away from Rudolph. However, Rudolph still had 309 receiving yards against Kent with Richie in the lineup. That's not going to limit Rudolph much. It will be worse for Cole Tucker. NIU ran the ball all over Kent in the MAC Championship because they could. They wont be able to lean as heavily on the run here. They'll have to go to the air some, and I expect Rudolph to still get most of the targets. It is a bit concerning that he hasn't scored a receiving touchdown in the last four games though. The yardage should still make up for it.
Devin Maddox, Toledo ($3,900)
This price for Maddox feels too low for someone consistently involved in the passing attack. Matt Landers or Denzel McKinley-Lewis are the big threats, but Maddox leads the team in receptions and yards and is tied for the lead in touchdowns. Matt Landers has had more of an impact lately, but if McKinley-Lewis is able to return, I think it takes more away from Landers than Maddox.
Yusuf Ali, Middle Tennessee State ($3,700)
Yep, DK messed up pricing again. Ali has 11 receptions for 134 yards over the last two games. He hasn't found the end zone since Week 11, but he has the best rapport with either quarterback so far. That's not to say that Lane could have a better game, I just see a much better floor for Ali and he's a lot cheaper. He has at least 10 DraftKings points in four straight games. He's the only MTSU receiver that can say that.
Also consider: Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina ($6,800); Matt Landers, Toledo ($5,200); Jaylin Lane, Middle Tennessee State ($4,800); Kameron Brown, Coastal Carolina ($4,700)
