After an enjoyable Week 0, it is time to prepare for Week 1 of the College Fantasy Football season. The CFF Game Plan has enabled our readers to get ahead of the competition in order to win their weekly matchups. The information also provided CFF players the much-needed advantage for a myriad of DFS college fantasy football contests…Let’s put the knowledge to use this weekend.
Ryan Cobbett, Matt Hicks and I are going to provide a weekly CFF Cheat Sheet and a video breakdown to assist managers with lineup decisions, build DFS lineups and identify value among CFB Prize Picks. We look forward to kickoff this weekend and throughout the upcoming crusade.
Enjoy my fellow CFF Diehards!
Gridiron Scholar’s CFF Serendipitous Starters: Week 1
QB Chandler Morris, TCU at Colorado
O/U 55.5, TCU -14.5
Opponent Defense (2021): 242.3 passing yards and 17 TDs
I am a believer in coach Sonny Dykes and the offensive scheme he is implementing at TCU. I also look forward to receiver Quentin Johnston making the leap into first-round status as the alpha male role in the passing game. All offseason, I waited with bated breath for the position battle between Max Duggan and Chandler Morris to be decided…We now have a winner in Fort Worth, Texas.
A four-star prospect by ESPN, Morris displayed his throwing chops in a victory over 12th-ranked Baylor last year: He led the Horned Frogs to a 30-28 victory, passing for 461 yards and two touchdowns while being named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. The Buffalos lack experience in the secondary, and Morris and Johnston are likely to have a leisurely pitch-and-catch Friday evening.
QB Mike Wright, Vanderbilt vs. Elon
While I am not recommending picking up Mike Wright for the entire season in CFF leagues, I cannot ignore his performance against Hawaii and Vanderbilts’ upcoming three games: Elon, Wake Forest, and Northern Illinois.
The most eye-opening statistic from last week—Wright gained more yards on the ground (163) than in the air (146). He also registered two touchdowns passing and rushing, producing over 42 fantasy points. Against an FCS program, Wright warrants consideration in starting lineups.
RB Jaylan Knighton, Miami vs. Bethune-Cookman
When looking at the Hurricanes’ backfield in the spring, it appeared crowded. Unfortunately, two injuries have sapped the team’s depth. In camp, freshman TreVonte Citizen suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season, and Don Chaney, Jr., hurt his hip and will be out for a couple of weeks. Jaylan Knighton is the last man standing in Miami and likely to earn the majority of touches against the Wildcats.
The sophomore runner started the final six games of last year’s campaign and paced the team in rushing with 561 yards while scoring eight times. Miami’s offensive line is one of the best in the ACC led by OT Zion Nelson, who is a possible first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Knighton is in line for a big game and will surprise CFF managers.
RB Nathan Carter, UConn vs. Central Conn.
UConn surprised college football fans with a competitive performance on the road against Utah State. The Huskies jumped out to a 14-point lead before losing 31-20, covering a 26-point spread.
Nathan Carter rambled for 190 yards on 20 carries and logged one reception for 10 yards. UConn hosts in-state FCS opponent Central Connecticut and should not have any problems opening running lanes for the sophomore tailback.
WR Daewood Davis, Western Kentucky vs. Hawaii
O/U 67.5, WKU -16
Opponent Defense: 197 passing yards and 2 TDs
Daewood Davis smashed in DFS contests last Saturday with six catches for 124 yards and a score, producing 27.1 points on DraftKings. It is stunning that he still remains available in so many leagues.
Last year, the redshirt senior logged 43 receptions for 763 yards and eight touchdowns, finishing as the fourth most productive wide out on the team. Now, Davis and Malachi Corley are the top target magnets in the aerial assault, and Davis should no longer be in the free-agent pool.
WR Jonah Panoke, Hawaii vs. Western Kentucky
O/U 67.5, Hawaii +16
Opponent Defense: 156 passing yards and 2 TDs
I’m in opposition to the Twitterverse poll results below: I believe that Jonah Panoke is a great sleeper against Western Kentucky. Against the Commodores last Saturday, Panoke earned nine targets and corralled seven passes for 101 yards.
The Rainbows and Hilltoppers have one of the highest projected Over/Unders, and Hawaii has an implied 26-point total. CFF managers can expect another productive outing.
WR Jerand Bradley, Texas Tech vs. Murray State
I highlighted Jerand Bradley in last week’s column and still cannot believe his low ownership among CFF players. Before the masses learn about Bradley, grab him off the waiver wire this week.
CFB on Prize Picks
Pick 3 (Ryan Cobbett)
- QB Phil Jurkovec, Boston College OVER 1.5 Passing TDs
- WR Thayer Thomas, NCSU OVER 59.5 Receiving yards
- WR Quentin Johnston, TCU OVER 0.5 Receiving TD
Pick 3 (John Laub) Friday
- RB Chase Brown, Illinois OVER 94.5 Rushing yards
- WR Quentin Johnson, TCU OVER 17.5 Fantasy points
- WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State OVER 83.5 Receiving yards
Pick 3 (John Laub) Saturday
- QB Drake Maye, UNC UNDER 21 Fantasy points
- QB Bo Nix, Oregon UNDER 10.5 rushing yards
- WR Marvin Harrison, Ohio State OVER 80.5 Receiving yards
Twitterverse on Fire:
CFF Position Battles for Week 1 matchups.
Who Ya Got at Quarterback?
- Mike Wright, Vanderbilt: 27%
- Spencer Rattler, South Carolina: 38%
- Adrian Martinez, Kansas State: 30%
- Other: 5%
“I voted for Mike Wright against Elon, but man, the Adrian Martinez disrespect here!” @CFF_Jared
“Give me Dequan Finn against Long Island University.” @j_luda
“Of those three, Mike Wright.” @NCAAFNation247
“I’m going with Mike Wright. Hawaii had no answer for him, and I doubt Elon will either.” @RJsFantasyFB
Who Ya Got at Running Back?
- Nathan Carter, UConn: 10%
- Jihrel Brock, Iowa State: 23%
- Chase Brown, Illinois: 65%
- Other: 2%
“Love Brown!” @aceholesrule
Who Ya Got at Wide Receiver?
- Jonah Panoke, Hawaii: 7%
- Zay Flowers, Boston College: 51%
- Kris Thorton, James Madison: 40%
- Other: 2%
“Flowers for me! I think he is going for 110 yards and two touchdowns.” @aceholesrule
“Panoke was the lone bright spot in the Rainbow Warriors putrid performance versus Vanderbilt. Total should finish in the mid-to-high 60s, which will provide lots of chances for Panoke to get his hands on the football.” @RJsFantasyFB
“I voted other: Jerand Bradley, Texas Tech.” @FantasyFBS
CFB Fantastic 4 on DraftKings: Week 1 (Laub)
DFS CFB DraftKings Fantastic Four: Week 1 (Day)
| Pos | Player | Team | Opponent | O/U | Salary | Proj. Points | PV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Clayton Tune | Hoston | UTSA` | 62 | $7,900 | 26.3 | 3.3 |
| RB | Christopher Brooks | BYU | USF | 58.5 | $6,100 | 18.8 | 3.1 |
| WR | Matthew Golden | Hoston | UTSA` | 62 | $4,900 | 14.4 | 2.9 |
| WR | Rakim Jarrett | Maryland | Buffalo | 64.5 | $5,900 | 17.2 | 2.9 |
| Total | $24,800 | 76.7 | 3.1 |
DFS CFB DraftKings Fantastic Four: Week 1 (Night)
| Pos | Player | Team | Opponent | O/U | Salary | Proj. Points | PV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Anthony Richardson | Florida | Utah | 51.5 | $5,000 | 23.6 | 4.7 |
| RB | TreVeyon Henderson | Ohio State | Notre Dame | 59.5 | $7,500 | 27.2 | 3.6 |
| WR | Reese White | Coastal | Army | 53.5 | $4,600 | 14.8 | 3.2 |
| WR | Michael Mayer | Notre Dame | Ohio State | 59.5 | $4,000 | 14.2 | 3.6 |
| Total | $21,100 | 79.8 | 3.8 |
CFB Sleepers on FanDuel: Week 1 Day Slate (Cobbett)
QB Braxton Burmeister, $7,800
In DFS, dual threats are reliable options. Stroud, Cunningham, Jefferson, and ATR highlight a strong list of dynamic signal callers this week. Yet, if you dig a little deeper, you will see Burmeister at $7,800 in a home game vs. a 1-win Arizona program from a year ago. Burmeister averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (FPPG) last season.
RB Pat Garwo II, $7,500
Boston College’s O-line is admittedly weaker, however, Garwo will lead the Eagles’ backfield this season and contend as one of the best ACC runners. He averaged 12.6 FPPG in 2021 and received 15-plus carries in 8-of-11 games.
WR Marvin Mims, $7,400 & Theo Wease, $6,000
Mims and Wease lost Caleb Williams to USC, but they bring in another very capable arm in Dillon Gabriel, who has lit up defenses his whole career. Mims and Wease being priced this low is an absolute steal as both of these guys could easily produce big numbers against UTEP.
WR Zay Flowers, $7,000
After turning down the NFL and NIL money, Flowers will return to Boston College to run it back for one more year pairing up with QB Phil Jurkovec. The Eagles’ burner was very hit-or-miss last year. With a healthy Jurkovec, I think Flowers is primed for a big showing. Look for him to produce against Rutgers.
CFB Sleepers on FanDuel: Week 1 Night Slate (Cobbett)
QB Malik Cunningham, $11,200
Value is a mix of cost and expected production: Well, Cunningham might be the most exciting player in the country. Cunningham averaged 32.3 FPPG in 2021 and somehow managed to put up 66.52 Fantasy Points against Duke. He can run, he can throw, he is a playmaker. Others will be swayed to grab Stroud and Young.
RB Tiyon Evans, $7,800
I am expecting the Cardinals to run over the Orange so let’s also grab their running back too. Evans is a huge pick-up from Tennessee for Louisville as he has experience playing with a dual-threat signal caller (Hooker). Evans averaged 14.8 FPPG last season.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., $7,500
JSN this, JSN that. No doubt he is the best WR in the nation, but as he showed in the Rose Bowl, teams who spend too much time on JSN, will get burned by future NFL WR Marvin Harrison, Jr. He is the clear-cut WR No. 2 for the best offense in the nation on prime time television.
WR Rufus Harvey, $7,000
Harvey beat out Jaden Walley to become WR No. 1 for the Bulldogs this season. Rogers is an insanely good QB and coach Leach runs that famous ‘Air Raid’ scheme. Look for Harvey to get 5-7 looks vs. Memphis. Also, Memphis will make this a game for 3.5 quarters, so don’t expect Miss St. to have any inclination to take starters out early.
Rookie Big Board presents College Fantasy Football
- Marvelous Matchups
- Fantastic 4: CFF Sleepers
- CFB DFS Fantastic 4
- Matt’s DFS Lineup
- All-American RBB Best Bets