Slate Breaker: FD CFB DFS Week 7

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: Drake Maye, North Carolina (vs Miami)

It is official, Drake Maye is back! Maye absolutely balled out a week ago passing for 332 and 3 TDs while adding 55 yards and another score on the ground. There is a reason Maye was on the shortlist for the Heisman trophy to begin the season and look for him to reestablish himself as front runner to make up for the slow start. The Miami defense he faces this week are worse than their stats would indicate since Texas A&M is the only functional offense they have faced this year and the A&M QB scored 28.34 so a QB of Maye's caliber should easily top 30.

Michael Penix, Washington (vs Oregon)

While I do love Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels this week and every week; out of all the 11K+ QBs this week, Penix is my guy. I have been chomping at the bit for Penix to get into a shootout and it looks like this might finally be the week. Penix is averaging 400! yards per game and there have been a couple of games where he has basically stopped throwing the ball at halftime. Penix and this offense can keep pace with any offense in the country and both of these teams can score in a couple of plays so this could very easily be the highest scoring game of the season. Yes he is very expensive, but if you can afford him get him in your lineup.

Jordan Travis, Florida State (vs Syracuse)

Drake Maye had his get right game against this same Syracuse defense so now it is Travis's turn. Travis has been a consistent TD scorer but the rest of his production has been lacking. He has only topped 300 passing yards once this year and failed to top 40 rushing yards. Syracuse has been a susceptible defense all year, allowing QBs like Hudson Card and Cade Klubnik to both pass for 250+ and score twice so Travis should have zero trouble moving the ball against this defense. He has already crushed this team 38-3 a year ago and topped 25 points in that game. Fire up Travis this week and do it with confidence.

Sam Hartman, Notre Dame (vs USC)

Hartman has to have a good game at some point, right? This looks to be the week. This is a USC defense that just allowed Arizona's backup QB to score 34.32 FD points. Hartman has to be better than Arizona's backup QB right? Obviously Notre Dame's defense is much better than Arizona's so they may be able to limit USC's offense enough to allow Notre Dame to utilize a neutral game script for the majority of the game; but more likely than not, Notre Dame will be in catchup mode for most of this game forcing Notre Dame to become a pass first offense for once. With his expected increase in usage, Hartman is a great value at $9,300.

Brady Cook, Missouri (@ Kentucky)

The Missouri offense is just good this year. They have scored at least 30 points in every game except one and Cook is a big reason why. Cook has passed for 300+ in every game against a FBS opponent except for one while consistently finding the endzone with multiple TDs in every one of those games. Kentucky does seem like a tough matchup on paper, but they have only faced one competent QB this season, which was Carson Beck who had a career day passing for 389 yards and 4 TDs. I expect a great game script for Cook since this will be a competitive game with both teams scoring a lot of points. Cook is a tremendous value at $9,000 with a solid chance of topping 30 points. 

Spencer Rattler, South Carolina (vs Florida)

I am sorry, but I love Rattler in the South Carolina offense. Has he been great? No. Has he even been consistent? No. But he has been dynamic. This offense has struggled to establish any kind of running game during his time in Carolina so this offense has entirely been in the hands of Rattler. He has absolutely no floor worth playing, but his ceiling is as good as any QB in the nation. He can easily go for 300+ for 4 TDs while adding a score on the ground in just about any game, this issue is just being able to predict which it will happen in. He is worth a dice roll, but prepare to be disappointed.

Running Backs

Play of the Day: Ray Davis, Kentucky (vs Missouri)

This slate's top price RB is worth every single penny. Davis has been nothing short of fantastic this year. He is a lock to score a TD, with a score in every single game this year and has gained 85+ total yards in every game except for a blowout win over Vanderbilt. Davis will show out this week in a game against Missouri who just got ripped apart but Logan Diggs a week ago. Ray Davis has elite usage in a potent offense so you really cannot go wrong with him in your lineup, so spend up here and sacrifice in other parts of your lineup.

Audric Estime, Notre Dame (vs USC)

It is time for Estime to get back to his 20+ point ways. USC's biggest weakness is their run defense. They have allowed their opponent's lead backs to top 15 points three weeks in a row now and that was to backs that are far inferior to Estime. Notre Dame will want to run the ball to shorten the game and limit the amount of points Caleb Williams can score, so expect Estime to be a focal point of this offense for as long as this game is close and if this game comes down to the wire it means that Estime has had a career day.

Logan Diggs, LSU (vs Auburn)

I have been on the Diggs train from the get go and it has paid dividends. Diggs has completely taken over this LSU backfield. Over his last two games, Diggs has 43 carries while all other LSU backs have 6. That top tier usage in one of the best offenses in the nation makes Diggs one of the top fantasy options in the nation each and every week. If you are concerned about Jayden Daniels siphoning work away from Diggs, don't be. Daniels ability to run only helps Diggs' fantasy outlook as it removes a defender from the box and opponents have continually choose to key Daniels on the read option which has led to a ton of work for Diggs.

MarShawn Lloyd, USC (@ Notre Dame)

Week by week, Lloyd is becoming a bigger and bigger part of this offense. He is averaging 14 carries over the past 3 games which is a ton over work in an offense of this caliber. I expect Notre Dame to run a shell defense to attempt to limit Caleb Williams which will leave a light box for Lloyd to exploit. Notre Dame is a tough defense but they are very beatable on the ground. Just a week ago, Notre Dame allowed Louisville RB Jawhar Jordan to go berserk and score 28.2 FD points. Lloyd has scored 13+ points in 5 straight weeks and I like his chances of extending that streak this week.

Tennessee RBs vs Texas A&M

Who would have guessed that Tennessee would have one of the top rushing attacks in the nation? Normally a rushing attack this potent would lead to great fantasy production for a fantasy RB, but not in Tennessee. This is a legitimate three headed monster. Dylan Sampson, Jaylen Wright & Jabari Small have all been great at different times this year with each one topping 12 points at various times this year. The cannibalization does really hurt them though as only one of them have had 20 opportunities in a game. Jaylen Wright is the guy I like the most out of the bunch with three 100+ rushing yard games this year. The revolving door nature of this backfield does make any of these guys a gamble, but at least one of them will be worth rostering.

Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Luther Burden III, Missouri (@ Kentucky)

I just cannot get enough Luther Burden. He is the top fantasy receiver in the nation with a floor that absolutely no one can compete with. He has two games this year where he top 20 points without even scoring a TD. Burden is basically a lock for 10 catches and 120+ yards. He gets a Kentucky secondary that just got demolished by Brock Bowers and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint allowing both of them to hit the 18 point mark. Like I have said I love this game, it should be competitive with a lot of scoring so get the biggest piece on the board from it.

Washington WRs vs Oregon

I love all three of the top guys in this game. This is going to be an old western shootout with shots constantly whizzing by and the majority of that work will go through these guys' hands. I like Jalen McMillan the most out of the three if he is healthy since he is a target monster and great in open space; but if he sits out, Ja'Lynn Polk and Rome Odunze become must starts. I will not be surprised if all three of these guys end up with 100+ yards and a score as it is going to be a crazy week so make sure you have some exposure to this passing attack. 

Troy Franklin, Oregon (@ Washington)

With a shootout on hand, you will want some exposure to this Oregon offense. The only issue is they LOVE to spread the ball around with only one Oregon skill player topping 100 rushing OR receiving yards in their four FBS games. That player is Troy Franklin and he has done it in 3 of those 4 games. He is locked into a HUGE role in this offense so there is no chance he will disappoint and could end up as the top WR this week if Oregon can keep pace with Washington.

Nate McCollum & Devontez Walker, North Carolina (vs Miami)

For the time being McCollum has established himself as the WR1 on this team with 135+ yard games in 2 of his last 3. He has stepped right into that Josh Downs role from a year ago and has been thriving out of the slot. The tide may be turning on McCollum though, Devontez Walker has arrived and he should be fully featured after playing a complementary role a week ago. Last week, Walker only had 36 hours to prepare for the game and still wound up with 6 catches for 43 yards and just missed connecting with Drake Maye for a long TD. The UNC OC has said that Walker will have a real role in the offense this week so expect big things. If you are looking for a safe floor play, McCollum is your play; but if you want to shoot for the stars, go with Walker. 

Squirrel White, Tennessee (vs Texas A&M)

Although the Tennessee passing attack has been a shell of its former self, Squirrel White is primed for a big rest of season. Bru McCoy's injury is an absolute tragedy and I wish all the best for him, but White's fantasy stocks saw a sharp increase as a result of the injury. White has been Joe Milton's favorite target all year long; but with targets being further consolidated in this offense, White is locked into a prime role. He thrived in his first action in this increased role catching 9 passes for 109 total yards. Texas A&M has allowed their opponent's top receiver to hit the 15 point mark in their three games against a competent passing attack including allowing Jermaine Burton to post a 9/197/2 line just a week ago. White is my favorite value play on this slate so you want the top guys in your lineup, make sure you have White to balance their high price.

Dream Team

QB: Drake Maye, UNC (vs Miami)

RB1: Ray Davis, Kentucky (vs Missouri)

RB2: MarShawn Lloyd, USC (@ Notre Dame)

WR1: Luther Burden III, Missouri (@ Kentucky)

WR2: Squirrel White, Tennessee (Texas A&M)

WR3: Devontez Walker, UNC (vs Miami)

Flex: Brady Cook, Missouri (@ Kentucky)

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