Slate Breaker: College Football Week 4 (Friday)

Game Picks

Stanford @ Syracuse

A new era has begun for both Kyle McCord and the Syracuse Orange. After flaming out at the highest level last year, McCord has looked right at home with his new team. He is second in the nation in yards per game and he is playing a Stanford team that allowed 353 passing yards to TCU, their only FCS opponent this year. Syracuse and McCord will be able to move the ball at will this week leading to an easy win.

Illinois @ Nebraska

Illinois is a good football team, but this Nebraska defense is great. Colorado has problems but their passing attack is not one of them and Nebraska held the Buffs to under 250 passing yards. They will be able to do the same against an Illinois offense that has some talent but is ultimately outmatched. This will be a low scoring game but Nebraska's win will never be in doubt.

San Jose State @ Washington State

I love what this Wazzu offense is doing. John Mateer looks like a fantasy stud in his limited start time with 105 rushing yards per game and 1.33 rushing TDs. That is basically 20 fantasy points with his legs alone showing the playmaking abilities the new signal caller has. San Jose State should be able to put up a fight since the Wazzu defense is beatable, but they will not be able to outlast this Wazzu offense. Wazzu stays undefeated.


Player Spotlights

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: John Mateer, Washington State (vs San Jose State)

Mateer is far and away the top QB on this slate. He has been a decent passer, but his rushing skills have him near the elite tier of fantasy QBs. As mentioned above, he has been producing nearly 20 fantasy points per game with his legs alone. Mateer's floor is basically 30 points so he is a play every time out, but on a limited slate like this, he is a must play or you will be left behind.

Kyle McCord, Syracuse (vs Stanford)

McCord has been tremendous in 2024 averaging 30 points per game. Now, I do not expect that to be his average at the end of the year, but it is undeniable that McCord has established himself as a great fantasy option moving forward. Expect another strong outing for McCord this week as this Stanford secondary is very beatable allowing 353 passing yards to TCU and allowing the most passing yards per game in 2023. McCord is an extremely safe play with fantastic upside.

Emmett Brown, San Jose State (@ Washington State)

Brown is very unproven but he has looked solid in his limited action. Wazzu will be their biggest challenge of the season by far as they have only played Air Force, Kennesaw State and FCS Sacramento State. Brown is worth the risk given his production this year, but he could leave you disappointed if San Jose State is completely outmatched.


Running Backs

Play of the Day: LeQuint Allen, Syracuse (vs Stanford)

I am not sure how you can not have Allen in your lineup this week. He is the only proven RB and the only workhorse back on Friday. Every other RB is stuck in a horrible committee that is super unpredictable. I just do not see how Allen does not end up as one of the top two RBs on this slate. Get him in your lineups. 

Wayshawn Parker, Washington State (vs San Jose State)

Parker is the only other RB on this slate who has a predictable role. The role is far less productive than Allen, but he is still guaranteed double digit touches with work in both the running and passing game so he seems to have the strongest floor out of the RBs not named Allen. If you want to play it safe roll with Parker since Wazzu will be able to play with a lead in this one.

Kaden Feagin, Illinois (@ Nebraska)

If Illinois was not playing Nebraska, I would be all in on Feagin. He gets a bunch of work and has a propensity for finding the endzone. When Feagin is given the opportunity, he produces with a TD in every game that he has received at least 12 touches averaging 15.8 points in those games. He has not been lacking in opportunity either with at least 12 touches in 6 of his last 7 games dating back to last year. If you want to bet on the talent and opportunity roll with Feagin, but Nebraska does worry me.

Nebraska RBs (vs Illinois)

One of these Nebraska RBs is going to have a monster day, but good luck finding out who. Nebraska has played three games this year and they have had 3 different RBs lead the backfield in fantasy points in each game. Nebraska's lead back is averaging a robust 16.9 fantasy points so if you can pick the right back here, it will pay great dividends. If you are looking to gamble then look no further.


Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse (vs Stanford)

It is inarguable that Syracuse is the top passing attack on Friday night. The Syracuse passing attack is really just a two headed monster with Trebor Pena picking up yardage on the outside and from side to side; but it is Gadsden who rules the middle of the field. Gadsden is the proven player with a 975 yard season under his belt while Pena is almost at a career high in yardage despite only playing two games. Both are solid plays, but Gadsden is a far better value and he will not leave you disappointed.

Elic Ayomanor, Stanford (@ Syracuse)

Ayomanor is the only proven player on this Stanford offense and Stanford is going to be playing from behind this week so Ayomanor will have a great game plan. Ayomanor is a great player so he will provide a strong floor, but the opportunity and opponent gives him elite upside. Syracuse is also very beatable through the air with their opponent's leading receiver averaging 112 yards per game. If you want to pay up for security look no further than Ayomanor.

Kris Hutson, Washington State, (vs San Jose State)

Hutson is yet to lead a game in receiving yards, but the team likes him a lot as he has received the most WR opportunities in each game this year. He is a spark-plug and he can beat basically anyone in a foot race so he can make his day on a single play and he will have plenty of opportunity to do so. I also like Josh Meredith as he has seen increasing action and production over recent weeks, but Hutson is still the guy I prefer.

Zakhari Franklin, Illinois (@ Nebraska)

Franklin is by far the most talented player on this Illinois team so he will always be involved week in and week out. This Nebraska defense is no joke so his production is not guaranteed, but the Nebraska run defense is the strength of the team so Illinois will be forced to pass the ball. Franklin will get plenty of opportunity so he has a decent floor, but it is his ceiling that is truly appealing.

Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska (vs Illinois)

Barney is an absolute beast with the ball in his hands and Nebraska has been doing everything possible to get him in those situations. He has both runs and catches in each of the last two games and is averaging 6 touches per games over that span. He even got a TD run last week. Nebraska obviously wants to get this guy involved which could lead to big things especially since you can have him for free given his rock bottom price. This guy reminds me a lot of Zachariah Branch and Nebraska wants to use him like USC uses Branch so it is only a matter of time until he breaks out. Barney is definitely worth a flier.


FanDuel DFS Dream Team

QB: Kyle McCord, Syracuse (vs Stanford)

RB1: LeQuint Allen, Syracuse (vs Stanford)

RB2: Kaden Feagin, Illinois (@ Nebraska)

WR1: Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse (vs Stanford)

WR2: Kris Hutson, Washington State (vs San Jose State)

WR3: Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska (vs Illinois)

Flex: John Mateer, Washington State (vs San Jose State)


**DISCLAIMER: Remember, sports and fantasy are supposed to be fun. Please play responsibly.**

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