Slate Breaker: FD CFB DFS Bowl Season (12-16)

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: Zion Webb, Jacksonville State (@ Louisiana)

Diego Pavia is clearly the top QB on this slate, but Webb is the top value at the position. Like Pavia, he is the lead rusher on a run-heavy offense so his rushing alone is enough to be a strong fantasy option. Jacksonville State are heavy favorites and should easily win this game which translates to a lot of fantasy potential for Webb as he will be able to rack up a lot of rushing stats. Louisiana is very vulnerable to the QB run allowing 8 rushing TDs to QBs over their last 11 games. Webb has four 100 yard games in his last 7 games so he is basically just as strong of an option as Pavia at a nearly $2K discount.

Diego Pavia, New Mexico State (@ Fresno State)

Pavia is clearly the top QB on this slate. He averaged nearly 24 FDPs this year and is also the top option in a run-heavy offense. He has more than 10 rushes in all but 4 of his games and has thrown for a TD in every game but one. He is not a one trick pony and offers a strong floor with elite upside thanks to his ability to produce in every facet of the game. Pavia will be very chalky as the top QB on this slate so throw him into your lineup or you will be left behind.

Ethan Garbers, UCLA (@ Boise State)

Boise State's defense is a tale of two stories. They are phenomenal against the run, allowing the second fewest passing yards in the Mountain West, but the pass defense has been bad allowing the most yards in the conference. UCLA usually likes to rely on the running game, but they will need their passing attack in order to win which is where Ethan Garbers comes in. He is a bit of a risky play since he has failed to hit the 270 passing yard mark in any of his games this year, but his TD upside offers some good value especially in this matchup against a weaker pass defense. Garbers has multiple passing TDs in 60% of his full games this year so expect solid production from Garbers. He does not have the elite upside of the previous 2 QBs but he is a good way to get off the chalk in a good matchup.

Behren Morton, Texas Tech (vs Cal)

Morton is the ultimate boom or bust option on this slate. He has scored more than 15 FDPs in half of his games, but scored below that mark in the other 4. With a slate that lacks multiple strong options at QB, Morton is the type of QB that can be a tournament winner. He is both a decent runner and passer so if he can put it all together, he is a strong option. Cal has allowed nearly 32 PPG to their opponents this year so Morton could be very productive, but that number is a result of big games from Washington, USC and Oregon so Morton is no guarantee.

Running Backs

Play of the Day: Jaydn Ott & Tahj Brooks, Cal vs Texas Tech

Bowl season can be a bit tricky for fantasy players because you never really know who will be playing. One way to avoid being stuck with an inactive player is to play a star player who is also an underclassman. They are locks to play and the team usually rides them because of depth issues from likely departures to the transfer portal. Well both Ott and Brooks are underclassmen who will return to their current clubs in a year. And you could not ask for a better duo to ride this week. Brooks has totaled 100 yards in 10 straight games, well not really but he had 97 yards against Texas so let's count it. He is a great back and expect a full workload from the team's star player. Ott has been even more productive averaging almost 21 FDPs this year and he plays a Texas Tech defense who has allowed their opponent's lead back to score 20+ FDPs in 4 straight games. Start Ott with confidence. I find it hard to build a lineup without these guys as they are both basically locked into 20 FDPs.

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (vs UCLA)

Normally, I would be all in on Jeanty since he is one of the top 2 backs in the country, shoutout Ollie Gordon, but he is a complete fade for me this week. Boise State is a team in transition with a new coaching staff coming in and no QB available who has any real experience so Jeanty will be facing a full box every play. Add in that they are playing the country's second best run defense who is allowing less than 70 rushing yards per game and it is looking like a nightmare for Jeanty this week. This is also George Holani's final college game so expect him to get even more usage as a tip of the cap as he heads out. Overall, there is not much to be excited about with Jeanty this week.

Malik Sherrod, Fresno State (vs New Mexico State)

Sherrod is a workhorse back handling 20+ opportunities in 5 of his last 6 games. While the usage is very appealing, it is his production that really intrigues me. He has 8 TDs over his last 6 games so if Fresno State is able to move the ball this week, expect a strong day from Sherrod.

Rashad Amos, Miami (Ohio) (@ Appalachian State)

The Miami offense may be the worst unit on this slate, but Amos is the best player on this offense and able to produce consistently. He has been a TD machine, scoring 11 times in his last 9 games. Now his rushing totals have not been stellar, rushing for more than 100 times just 3 times all year. He is a solid floor play but will need multiple TDs in order to come anywhere close to Ott or Brooks on this slate, but Appalachian State does allow more than 175 rushing yards per game so he could be a slate breaker.

Kanye Roberts, Appalachian State (vs Miami (Ohio))

With Nate Noel in the transfer portal, this is Roberts' backfield. App State are favorites in this game which should mean a heavy dose of Roberts. The Miami run defense is good so it definitely will not be easy for Roberts this week. At just $7,000, Roberts is a worthy gamble against this strong run defense because if he is able to overcome this matchup he will be a top value.

Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Logan Loya, UCLA (@ Boise State)

With a juicy matchup against a weak Boise State secondary on hand, Loya's usage will lead to a strong day for the senior. He has affirmed himself as the WR1 for this team, averaging 10 targets per game across his last 4 so expect him to cash in this week as Boise State does not have anyone who will be able to keep up with him.

Kaedin Robinson, Appalachian State (vs Miami (Ohio))

As the top scoring offense on this slate, App State's WR1 is a must play especially with no elite WRs on this slate. Robinson has led the team in every major receiving stat over the past 3 games so he makes the best case to be the team's WR1 so on a slate that lacks stability and consistency roll with Robinson and he will not leave you disappointed.

Trent Hudson, New Mexico State (@ Fresno State)

If you want to live dangerously then Hudson is your guy. He is the definition of boom or bust since he is a big play machine. If you are looking for safe usage then keep reading because Hudson does not have that since he only has one game with more than 5 catches but he is the most likely guy to score a TD if he gets the ball in his hands. He scores a TD on a ridiculous 28% of catches so he does not need a lot of work because even if he only gets 4 catches his odds say he will find the endzone on one of them. Hudson is not for the faint of heart with multiple goose eggs and 1 catch games under his belt this season, but he truly does have the greatest upside of any receiver on this slate.

Perry Carter, Jacksonville State (@ Louisiana)

Jacksonville State does not pass a lot, but when they do, you better believe it is going to Carter. He leads the team in every major receiving category and has recorded 100+ yards in 2 of his last 3 games. The Jacksonville State offense is a bit worrying especially if they are able to cruise this week like many expect as Carter's most productive games come in JVSU losses when they are actually forced to pass the ball. Carter does carry some risk, but if this is a competitive game, he will be a great play.

Coy Eakin, Texas Tech (vs Cal)

With 2 of Texas Tech's top receivers entering the portal there is a lot of value to extract from that passing attack. Basically every one of the pass catchers can be put in a lineup since they are so cheap, but the big issue will be navigating who to play. Personally, I am rolling with Eakin. Eakin has already been heavily involved in this offense, leading the team in targets over their past 6 games so expect even more usage and production out of him this week. The only thing that may hold Eakin back this week is his depth of target since most of his catches come close to the line of scrimmage but the usage and catches should be enough to make him a solid play and you never know he may break one of the short yardage targets.

Dream Team

QB: Zion Webb, Jacksonville State (@ Louisiana)

RB1: Jaydn Ott, Cal (@ Texas Tech)

RB2: Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech (vs Cal)

WR1: Kaedin Robinson, Appalachian State (vs Miami (Ohio))

WR2: Logan Loya, UCLA (@ Boise State)

WR3: Coy Eakin, Texas Tech (vs Cal)

Flex: Diego Pavia, New Mexico State (@ Fresno State)

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