College Football Daily Fantasy Helper: Saturday 9/5/20
Saturday gives us four games of college football action on FanDuel's main slate. Not all of the games project to be close (only one has a spread closer than 19.5 points, via NCAAF odds), so we'll need to figure out how a possible lack of reps will impact starters with huge spreads.
Plenty of big-volume receivers (and some running backs) are gone from offenses, so we're looking at big steps up for a few of these players on Saturday.
Which plays stand out on FanDuel?
Quarterback
Asher O'Hara ($10,000) vs. Army Black Knights - O'Hara led all quarterbacks on this slate in fantasy points per game in 2019 and is in the only game with a close spread (the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders are 3.5-point underdogs). O'Hara ranked third among qualified quarterbacks in Pro Football Focus' rushing grade and was credited with 1,177 rushing yards in 2019. Based on last year's metrics, Army's defense isn't one to worry about too much. With $700 savings from Shane Buechele ($10,700) in a game as a 22-point favorite, O'Hara is an easy justification as one of your two quarterback plays -- if you flex one.
Others to Consider: Shane Buechele ($10,700), Brady White ($9,500), Christian Anderson ($8,700)
Running Back
Brenden Knox ($9,700) vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels - Knox is the highest-salaried running back on the board, but he enters as a 24.5-point favorite and should run all over Eastern Kentucky. Last year, Knox totaled 1,352 rushing yards on 270 attempts. For context, no other back on the slate topped 170 carries. The biggest question is how many carries he gets in a blowout. That being said, a Marshall Thundering Herd romp probably has a lot to do with Knox's production.
Rodrigues Clark ($8,200) vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves - The Memphis Tigers' backfield is a tricky one for now because star rusher Kenneth Gainwell opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns. Though Kylan Watkins ($8,700) and Asa Martin ($8,200) are in the mix with Clark, head coach Ryan Silverfield spoke highly of Clark, who had considered leaving the team. Getting Clark carries makes plenty of sense, and at the salary, there's room for him to split touches while Memphis does its part to hit the 74.5-point total.
Others to Consider: TJ McDaniel ($9,300), Sandon McCoy ($8,500), Jamal Jones ($6,000 - if Marcel Murray ($8,000) is out)
Wide Receiver
Jonathan Adams ($7,700) at Memphis Tigers - Adams is freed up due to the departure of Omar Bayless, who accounted for 141 targets and 93 catches, via PFF. Bayless did that on 530 routes. Adams ran 510 routes of his own and had 101 targets. As a 19.5-point underdog, Arkansas State is going to have to throw, and Adams should be the recipient of heavy volume. His 14.18-yard average target depth allows for splash plays, as well.
Rashee Rice ($7,900) at Texas State Bobcats - Similar to Adams, Rice -- and Reggie Roberson ($9,200) -- benefit from a stud receiver leaving. James Proche soaked up 163 targets and 110 catches in 2019. Roberson had 64 targets, and Rice -- a freshman -- had 41. Rice came on later in the season with 34 of those targets over his final six games, so we should expect big things from this passing attack once again.
Others to Consider: Damonte Coxie ($9,400), Reggie Roberson ($7,900), Jimmy Marshall ($7,200), Jarrin Pierce ($6,500), Jeremiah Haydel ($5,900)
