Slate Breaker: FD CFB DFS Week 1 (Fri)

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: Brayden Schager, Hawaii (vs Stanford)

The Hawaii run and hook offense looked legit a week ago at Vanderbilt. Timmy Chang has reinvigorated this offense and is giving Schager every chance to succeed. There were a couple bonehead plays by the young signal caller a week ago but Chang made it obvious that the emphasis of the offense would be the pass so even if he stumbles a bit the sheer volume he will be given will lead to a big day. While Stanford was an overall weak team a year ago; the strength of their team was the pass defense, but the program has been completely overhauled so I do not expect continuity in that department. The inexperience of Schager and the mystery of what this Stanford team will look like does attach a bit of risk to this play, but the volume will be there for him.

Jalon Daniels, Kansas (vs Missouri St)

Daniels is back and he is undoubtedly the top QB on this slate. He is a heck of an athlete that can also throw the ball. Across 9 games a year ago, Daniels had 2,014 yards and 18 passing TDs while also being a huge threat on the ground especially in the redzone racking up 425 more yards with 7 rushing TDs. Daniels has a FCS team as an opponent this week so do not expect a full allotment of snaps for him, but he will not need it. The floor is there as well as a strong ceiling, I feel confident in Daniels finishing as one of the top 2 QBs on this slate.

Tyler Van Dyke, Miami (vs Miami (Ohio))

By all accounts, Van Dyke is back and he is at full speed. Van Dyke started off the last year fairly strong, but after compiling multiple injuries; Van Dyke limped through a couple games before finally being shut down in November. Well there is good news, the Miami O line is completely revamped and improved so Van Dyke will no longer have to worry about his well being leading to a much more competent and confident passer. Van Dyke could not have a more ideal matchup to reenter the lineup with Miami struggling against the pass even while playing mostly non power 5 schools so someone with an NFL arm like Van Dyke should shred this defense. Van Dyke represents the most secure play on this slate.

Bert Emanuel, Central Michigan (@ Michigan St)

Boy, oh boy. I do not know what to do with this guy. If only he was listed at running back he would be an insta lock, but he is a QB after all. Emanuel is not a dual threat QB he is just a wildcat QB who wears a QB number. He is absolutely electric on the ground and is almost a lock to secure at least one rushing TD but just look at this matchup. Michigan St should win this game and they should win it with ease, meaning the game plan will not be ideal for Emanuel so co-starter Jase Bauer will likely see the field more in this one. Emanuel does not need a full complement of snaps to get his nut though, since he is one of the most electric ball carriers in all of football. In just 4 games last year, he had 3 60+ yard runs, 7 TDs, and a ridiculous 7.4 YPC. Proceed at your own risk, but given the likely outcome of this game I am going to lean towards a fade on Emanuel.

Noah Kim, Michigan State (vs CMU)

This is more of a shoutout than a full fledged endorsement. The team has been quiet about this week's starter, but Kim is obviously the most talented QB on this roster. I love his tools, he has good mobility, a solid arm and great pocket awareness. This is a great matchup on paper, but I do not expect Kim to play the whole game and the team will likely be leaning on their running game. Kim is not necessarily a play on this slate but keep an eye on him because if he lives up to his potential, he will be a great play on future slates.

Running Backs

Play of the Day: E.J. Smith, Stanford (@ Hawaii)

The son of the NFL Hall of Famer seemed primed for a breakout season a year ago but injuries got in the way. In his lone two games last year, Smith was dynamic. He recorded 206 rushing yards with 3 rushing TDs and was a weapon out of the backfield catching 8 passes for 63 yards for an additional TD. Smith has looked electric and healthy in camp so injuries are no longer a concern. This should be a fast paced high scoring game resulting in a great game for the team's top back.

Nathan Carter, Michigan State (vs CMU)

Whoever ends up the top back for this Michigan State team will have a big day tomorrow. The trouble is just figuring out who. The team did not release an official depth chart yet but based off of practice usage it looks like Carter leapfrogged the incumbent Jalen Berger. With a new QB getting worked in and an easier opponent this team should be heavily reliant on the run so even if you choose wrong both of the two top backs should have respectable games.

Devin Neal, Kansas (vs Missouri State)

Be careful here this is blowout territory. While Neal will not be playing the whole game, he will be leaned on early so if Kansas has a big first half expect Neal to play a big part in that production. I do not like his floor though with no guarantees of a big workload and Jalon Daniels possibly reducing his red zone rushing opportunities. More likely than not Neal will be fine with a chance for a huge day.

Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Pofele Ashlock & Steven McBride, Hawaii (vs Stanford)

These two are locks for solid games this week. With Hawaii making their intentions to air it out obvious a week ago, it was Ashlock and McBride who solidified their roles are the clear cut top two targets on this offense. Both worked their way open on a consistent basis, leading them to have 7 catches each and 225 yards and 3 TDs combined between them. This should be another competitive game for the team so these two should see most of the receivers snaps Friday night. I have been loving lineup builds with both these guys in the lineup but they are a little pricey.

Benjamin Yurosek, Stanford (@ Hawaii)

Hawaii's pass defense issues were on full display a week ago at Vandy. They allowed a middling AJ Swann to throw for 258 yards and Swann missed a couple of wide open receivers leaving even more free yards on the field. Stanford is in a state of transition and their QB play will be a big wild card, but Yurosek represents one of the few proven players on this team and he should be heavily incorporated as a pass catcher in this offense. Yurosek has a very affordable price on FD and provides a solid floor so he is a great way to save if you spend up on the rest of your receivers.

Jamari Thrash, Louisville (@Georgia Tech)

I would have liked to see him play at least one game with his new team before throwing him in some lineups, but he should be a clearcut WR1 for this team and as the only obvious WR1 on this slate, he warrants a look in your lineup. Georgia Tech does present a challenge for Louisville but Thrash's new QB Plummer is a proven passer and should be able to get Thrash the ball at the very least. He is expensive but he should be worth the money at the end of the day.

Mason Fairchild, Kansas (vs Missouri State)

As the season went along last year, Fairchild became more of a weapon for this team as he developed better chemistry with Daniels. The blowout factor is a big concern with Fairchild since he is not a huge volume guy, but he is heavily utilized in the redzone and given how easily Kansas should be able to score I think Fairchild has good chances of scoring which would instantly make him worth a roster at his price.

Central Michigan Receivers (@ Michigan State)

If you like living life on the edge then this is your play. Michigan State has been one of the worst power 5 schools against the pass over the past couple seasons but this Central Michigan passing offense is rough. The primary passer should be Jase Bauer and reporters have claimed he has made huge strides over the offseason, but when you were one of the worst QBs in all of D1 football it is easy to make some strides. Will those strides be enough? We will see. The other major question is who is going to be the main pass catcher? Jalen McGaughy flashed for one game but fell by the wayside after that. As you will see below I like Wisconsin transfer Stephan Bracey Jr. since he is the best athlete of the group. Just be aware there are absolutely no guarantees here and be ready to take a goose egg if you play any of these guys.

Dream Team

QB: Jalon Daniels, Kansas (vs Missouri St)

RB1: E.J. Smith, Stanford (@ Hawaii)

RB2: Nathan Carter, Michigan State (vs CMU)

WR1: Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii (vs Stanford)

WR2: Jamari Thrash, Louisville (@ Georgia Tech

WR3: Stephan Bracey Jr., CMU (@ Michigan State)

Flex: Brayden Schager, Hawaii (vs Stanford)

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