The college football DFS picks are back for a five-game Friday night slate. It’s an intriguing mix of games across the country but with some serious questions among some teams. Here’s who to target in your DFS lineups tonight on FanDuel.
Friday college football DFS: Top FanDuel DFS picks to target
Superflex: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington ($11,200)
When the nation’s leading passer is in action, you’d be wise to play the odds. And in the case of Michael Penix Jr., it’s simple business to start him at Superflex or QB on Friday. Penix is darting the field with accurate throws and elevating the talent around him with the Washington Huskies. He’s single-handedly made Washington one of the top teams in the Pac-12 this season, striking fear into secondaries all over the West Coast.
[bet-promo id=”174860″ ]More importantly, against UCLA, this is a quarterback ready to continue his ascension back to the top of the college football QB rankings. His reuniting with Kalen DeBoer — his now head coach and former offensive coordinator at Indiana — has been nothing short of terrific. Penix is able to diagnose the field well and his processing is second to none at this stage in the Pac-12. He’s poised for a big day, but even his “average” numbers are better than most quarterbacks on the ticket tonight.
QB: Doug Brumfield, UNLV ($10,200)
On a tear this season, Doug Brumfield has proven to be too much for most opponents to handle. The talented left-hander slings the ball with great ease to the boundary and has shown he’s able to hit all levels of the field accurately and with touch. He’s also incredibly hard to scheme and practice against.
New Mexico’s cornerbacks better be prepared. An underrated aspect in playing against a left-handed quarterback is unusual arm angles and release points that trick the eyes of defensive backs.
The scripted offense should be an interesting set of plays to watch if UNLV tries to get Brumfield going with downfield shots to his talented receiving corps. Regardless of that, however, the fact that Brumfield also is a threat with his legs, scoring on the ground four times already this season, he’s an easy play at the QB spot here.
RB: Aidan Robbins, UNLV ($9,800)
A big, bruising back like Aidan Robbins has to be seen to be believed. At 6’3″ and well over 200 pounds, Robbins brings with him a punishing running style but remains light on his feet for a man his size. He snatches the will of would-be tacklers and runs by the rest. The Lobos’ run defense is a middle-tier unit but hasn’t faced a back quite like Robbins.
Robbins is two weeks removed from topping the 200-yard mark as well, as he’s shown to take over games and be a clear-cut option as RB1.
RB: George Holani, Boise State ($7,600)
With the uncertainty around what the Boise State offense will look like this week, the constant will be the running prowess of George Holani. With Dirk Koetter calling plays and Hank Bachmeier gone, the Broncos’ offensive constant will be Holani as a player to lean on for first-time starter Taylen Green.
While Green himself is in play here to potentially start, until we know what kind of offense will be installed for him, Holani is the better and safer play. Holani is a long-time standout at the position and averages nearly five yards a carry in his career. Getting him back on track is a path for success and a Koetter staple in his offenses.
WR: Jalen McMillan, Washington ($8,300)
One thing is certain around Chip Kelly-led teams, and it’s to expect offensive fireworks. Expect them because they have to outscore what their defense allows. They’ve exceeded expectations so far this year but haven’t faced a sound passing attack like Washington’s.
In fact, when UCLA played South Alabama, the Jaguars moved up and down the field in a similar manner to Washington, feeding their playmakers on the boundary and taking shots downfield once the defense cheats up.
For Jalen McMillan, he’s both the deep threat that can exploit holes in the defense vertically and an after-the-catch threat who is dangerous in space. He’s a mid-tier price point for a high-volume receiver who leads the team in targets. Get in while you can at this rate.
WR: Ricky White, UNLV ($7,700)
Ricky White has tied for the most targets among UNLV receivers this year and has a higher catch rate and yards per reception than Kyle Williams, his counterpart. The duo make up an impressive 1-2 punch for the Rebels, but White is due for a big night against a smaller New Mexico secondary.
With Williams hauling in touchdowns in four straight games, White has been held out of the end zone in two games this year and was held off the statistical sheet last week despite being targeted a handful of times.
White is a big-play threat who opens up the vertical passing game against a New Mexico defense that schemes middle-of-the-field safeties to limit big plays. However, the Lobos don’t have the defensive front seven to stymie both Brumfield and Robbins. That duo will force their safeties up into the box. That’s when White can use his deep speed and utilize his catch-point skills to beat his man and potentially end the day in the end zone more than once.
WR: Luke Wysong, New Mexico ($5,200)
To afford some of the top-dollar prospects here, you’ve got to find a deep sleeper. That deep sleeper here is Luke Wysong who, at one point, was New Mexico’s most efficient receiver.
Against tougher defenses, Wysong has been limited, but he’s still been a heavy target and checkdown for New Mexico. That can change against UNLV as he features nicely over the middle of the field with an ability to get above the second line of defense.
Wysong has a knack for finding openings in zone defense, and that can be exploited at times against UNLV. He’s got a pretty low floor, but his ceiling could be high in a favorable matchup against the Rebels.
Other positional lineups to explore:
- QB: Michael Pratt, Tulane ($9,400)
- RB: Tyjae Spears, Tulane ($9,300)
- RB: Nathaniel Jones, New Mexico ($5,800)
- WR: Zakhari Franklin, UTSA ($9,500)
- WR: Kyle Williams, UNLV ($8,400)
- WR: Stefan Cobbs, Boise State ($6,300)
- Superflex: Frank Harris, QB, UTSA ($11,000)