College Football is back, and FanDuel's college football DFS main slate on Friday includes two games.
In case you're unfamiliar with how it works, you can check out the rules and scoring on FanDuel, where you can hit the lobby each week to see the full array of slates and contests being offered.
As for the basics, your roster consists of a quarterback slot, two running backs, three wide receivers (which also includes tight ends), and one "Super FLEX". In the Super FLEX spot, you can insert one player from any position, including quarterbacks.
Here, our goal is to help you field a roster full of fantasy goodness, and in true numberFire fashion, we'll use our DFS projections, game projections, and market share report to tackle as many slates as possible in the lead-up to the College Football Playoff. In this piece, we are breaking down Friday's main slate, which locks at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Let's look at which players are in great spots as well as identify some players with low salaries who will allow you to roster the high-salary players. All stats come from PFF unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Jordan Travis, Florida State ($10,700) – The Florida State Seminoles quarterback presents a major problem for the Louisville Cardinals on Friday night. Through two games, the Cardinals rank 88th nationally in total defense. They are allowing an average of 394.0 total yards to their opponents. Meanwhile, Jordan Travis has emerged as one of the nation's best quarterbacks. The junior has accounted for 20 touchdowns over his last nine games dating back to last season.
Malik Cunningham, Louisville ($10,000) – The popular lineup build will include both Jordan Travis and Malik Cunningham. The two quarterbacks both possess sky-high ceilings thanks to their dual-threat ability. After an ugly season-opening loss, Cunningham rounded back into form in last week's upset against the Central Florida Knights. The senior signal caller threw for 201 yards and rushed for 121 yards in that ball game.
He'll square off with a Florida State defense that he tore up in 2021. Cunningham posted 36 FanDuel points in that contest. I don't think we need to overthink the quarterback and flex spot on Friday night. Roster both stud quarterbacks and prepare to get contrarian at running back and/or wide receiver.
Andrew Peasley, Wyoming ($6,500) – Peasley is the salary-saving option at quarterback. The fifth-year senior does provide dual-threat upside. He ranks second amongst the Wyoming Cowboys in rushing (109 yards). If Peasley can make a few plays in the passing game, he should be able to provide a solid return on investment.
Running Backs
Brad Roberts, Air Force ($11,500) – The senior fullback has been nearly unstoppable through two games for the Air Force Falcons. Roberts ranks second nationally with 144.0 rushing yards per game. The powerful rusher has found pay dirt four times. He poses a major threat to Wyoming's run defense. The Cowboys have ceded four rushing touchdowns through three games. Roberts will be a popular option on Friday night.
Tiyon Evans, Louisville ($8,400) – The Cardinals lead back has put up impressive numbers despite his inexperience. Evans has eight rushing touchdowns on 147 total carries in his two-year college career. The matchup with Florida State is a plus spot; the Seminoles allowed an average of 4.6 rushing yards per carry to LSU ball carriers in their most recent game.
John Lee Eldridge III, Air Force ($6,900) – Eldridge III's combination of speed and size has caught the attention of the Air Force staff. Through two games, the emerging ball carrier is averaging 10.8 yards per carry. He has also logged the second most running back snaps amongst all Falcons' ball carriers (64). From a game theory perspective, Eldridge III is intriguing. He won't be popular and offers leverage off his popular backfield mate, Brad Roberts.
Others to Consider: Treshaun Ward ($9,200), Titus Swen ($7,200), Tre Benson ($6,900), Lawrance Toafili ($6,200).
Wide Receivers
Tyler Hudson, Louisville ($8,100) – Hudson easily leads the Cardinals in passing snaps played (72). His 14 targets are seven more than the next Louisville pass catcher (Braden Smith). The junior has emerged as quarterback Mikal Cunningham’s favorite target in the passing game. Cunningham is posting an eye-opening 117.0 passer rating when targeting Hudson this season.
While I assume that Hudson will be popular, Marshon Ford ($5,500) and Ahmari Huggins-Bruce ($5,700) should fly under the radar. Ford is the team’s red zone threat from the tight end position. Ford led the Cardinals with 65 targets last season. Meanwhile, Huggins-Bruce is a speedster. He posted a team-high 276 receiving yards after the catch last season in limited action (leads the team with 75 YAC after two games this season).
Joshua Cobbs, Wyoming ($7,300) – Cobbs is the top target in Wyoming’s passing game. The sophomore has posted 5 receptions in each of his last two games. He leads the Cowboys in targets (22) and routes ran (69).
Mycah Pittman, Florida State ($6,500) - Pittman has drawn exactly five targets in each of the Seminoles’ first two games. In Florida State’s most recent game, Pittman tied Johnny Wilson ($6,800) for the team lead in snaps on passing downs (28). Additionally, the sophomore offers a serious salary discount from teammate Ontaria Wilson ($9,500).
I do not think the talent discrepancy is as wide as the salary discrepancy. Pittman is a good source of salary relief. Johnny Wilson is also viable as a contrarian salary saver.
DeAndre Hughes, Air Force ($4,800) – Hughes is listed as the starting tailback in Air Force's triple-option offense. Outside of fullback Brad Roberts, the rest of Air Force's ball carriers are high variant players. Despite starting, Hughes has only seven carries through two games this season. With that said, Hughes is capable of lighting up the box score. The senior ended last season with 355 rushing yards over his final three games.
I would NOT roster both Hughes and John Lee Eldridge III together since they will eat into each others' roles.