College Football Single-Game Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 11/12/20 (Colorado State at Boise State)
Week 11 of the college football season continues Thursday night as the Boise State Broncos play host to the Colorado State Rams.
For those unfamiliar, single-game slates feature five flex spots with identical scoring to the main slate. However, there is an "MVP" roster slot. The MVP receives 1.5 times his total fantasy points, making this spot crucial.
MVP Consideration
Hank Bachmeier, Boise State ($14,500)/Jack Sears, Boise State ($12,500) - Unfortunately, the Boise State quarterback situation likely won't reveal itself until pregame. Bachmeier started the season opener and then missed the last two games with an injury. Sears sustained a hit to the head and left last week's game early. The Broncos are hoping to have both quarterbacks available this week, but the starter has yet to be determined. Bachmeier threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener. He also recorded a rushing touchdown. Sears threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns while also tallying 36 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in Game 2. Cade Finnegan ($6,500) would start at quarterback if neither Bachmeier or Sears can suit up. He's a fine play if he draws the start this week.
Khalil Shakir, Boise State ($14,000) - Shakir has been unstoppable this season as the Broncos' top playmaker on offense. The junior is posting per-game averages of 7.7 receptions, 11.0 targets and 117.3 receiving yards, per Pro Football Focus. He has four touchdown receptions in three games. Shakir is also an active participant in Boise State's running game as he's run for 56 yards on six carries.
Dante Wright, Colorado State ($13,000) - Blessed with track-star speed, Wright is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. In his 2020 season debut, the speedster racked up 10 receptions and 146 receiving yards. He is the Rams' top returning wide receiver after he had 56 receptions, 802 yards, and four receiving touchdowns last season. He also ran for 214 yards and two touchdowns in 2019.
Trey McBride, Colorado State ($13,500) - The big tight end is one of the best pass catchers in the Mountain West Conference. He's tallied 13 receptions, 220 receiving yards, and three touchdowns on 19 targets in two games this year. Colorado State quarterbacks are posting an impressive 146.9 passer rating when targeting McBride, which leads the team, per Pro Football Focus. Additionally, Boise State struggled to defend BYU tight end Isaac Rex last week. Rex recorded five receptions, 45 receiving yards, and two touchdown receptions in that game.
Others to consider: Patrick O'Brien (if he starts).
Value Plays
Andrew Van Buren, Boise State ($10,500) - Van Buren is slated to make his second straight start with George Holani sidelined with an injury. The junior has run for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries with Holani sidelined. He's in a great spot against Colorado State as the Rams have been trucked by opposing running backs in both of their games this season. Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers ran for 95 yards, piled up 69 receiving yards, and scored three total touchdowns against Colorado State in the Rams' season opener. Last week Wyoming running back Xazavian Valladay flattened Colorado State with 147 rushing yards and one touchdown on 28 carries.
CT Thomas, Boise State ($9,000) - Thomas is the Broncos second leading wide receiver this season with seven receptions, 153 receiving yards, and two touchdowns through three games. With wide receiver Octavius Evans expected to miss another game, Thomas is locked into a large role this week.
John Bates, Boise State ($7,500) - Per Pro Football Focus, Bates ranks second in targets (15) and receptions (12) amongst Boise State pass catchers, yet he carries one of the lowest salaries on Thursday night. Throw in a matchup with Colorado State's vulnerable pass defense, and it looks like the perfect time to take advantage of the tight end's cheap price tag.
A'Jon Vivens, Colorado State ($7,000) - Vivens is a good source of salary relief. While he doesn't start at running back, Vivens should see plenty of carries this week. Through two games this season, the sophomore has run for 88 yards on 22 carries. The matchup with Boise State is a great spot for the Rams' backfield. Boise State is allowing 246.3 rushing yards per game, and they've been steamrolled for 10 rushing touchdowns in only three games this season.
Others to consider: Marcus McElroy Jr., Nate Craig-Myers, EJ Scott, Riley Smith, and Cade Fennegan (if Bachmeier AND Sears are OUT).
Matthew Hiatt is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Matthew Hiatt also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username easternmh. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
