Week 13 college football DFS must-starts: Ride the Mountaineers to glory
It's one of the last weeks of the college football regular season and some teams are looking to go out with a bang.
By
Matthew Coca
•
4 min read
At this point in the college football season, we know who the studs and duds are. With only 14 games on this slate and not many of the high-powered offenses to worry about too many options, it is going to be a fun slate.
I fully expect West Virginia to post big numbers against Iowa State this weekend. The run game for the Mountaineer offense has become one of the best in the country. Running backs Wendell Smallwood and Rushel Shell combined for 49.1 FanDuel points against Kansas and Iowa State is not much better in terms of run stopping.
Ohio State is in a tough contest this weekend at Michigan. I had way more faith in the Buckeyes offense than I should have last week against Michigan State, so this week they are getting the full fade treatment. There are far better options out there than J.T. Barrett and Ezekiel Elliott to choose from. UCLA's duo of quarterback Josh Roshen and running back Paul Perkins are far safer options with the same type of production for much better value.
Must Starts
Quarterbacks: Deshaun Watson, Clemson (at South Carolina); Paxton Lynch, Memphis (vs. SMU); Josh Rosen, UCLA (at USC)
Running backs: Derrick Henry, Alabama (at Auburn); Wendell Smallwood, WVU (vs. Iowa State); Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech (at Virginia)
Wide receivers: Jordan Payton, UCLA (at USC); Nelson Spruce, Colorado (at Utah); Calvin Ridley, Alabama (at Auburn)
Tight ends: Jaylen Samuels, NC State, (vs. North Carolina); Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech (at Virginia); Jordan Leggett, Clemson (at South Carolina)
Clemson at South Carolina
Dubbed “The Palmetto Bowl,” this rivalry is going to be a completely one-sided affair. Clemson's offense is one of the most complete in football this year. The Tigers are averaging 212 yards on the ground and 289 yards from the passing attack. South Carolina does not stand a chance against this team.
Last week against a Wake Forest team that is great against the pass, Deshaun Watson had one of his best games of the season, throwing for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Watson can get it done against any defense and this week, he basically faces his easiest defense yet.
South Carolina is allowing 254 passing yards per game to FBS winning schools this season. The Gamecocks are coming off of a loss to FCS school Citadel in which the defense allowed a season high 367 passing yards.
The Gamecocks run defense is even worse. The Citadel posted 350 rushing yards in that game. The 5.14 yards per attempt allowed is worst in the SEC.
Deshaun Watson should have a great game for Clemson so expect around 30 to 35 points from him. All three wide receivers for Clemson should have solid games. Artavis Scott is the teams number one leading receiver, but I also like the duo of Charone Peake and Deon Cain for tournaments. Running back Wayne Gallman is averaging 17.1 FanDuel points this year but should be able outscore that against a weak defense.
Under-the-radar
Matt Davis, QB, SMU (at Memphis); Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern (at Illinois); Joseph Williams, RB, Utah (vs. Colorado); Charone Peake, WR, Clemson (at South Carolina); Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia (at Georgia Tech); Harrison Handley, TE, Utah (vs. Colorado)
SMU at Memphis
More quality AAC action taking place this weekend in Memphis, and like always, we should expect little defense to be played. The teams combine to allow close to 950 total yards of offense per game. Memphis has the more explosive of the offenses, but you cannot count out SMU to put points up in bunches.
Last week was a tough matchup for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch playing a tough and talented Temple defense. The same cannot be said about SMU and that is why you should be all in on Lynch this week. I fully expect him and this Memphis offense to rebound last week.
There are so many options for this Memphis team that it can be hard to key in on skill players. Running back Doroland Dorceus has been the lead back as of late and against this SMU defense, it is safe to say he should have a great game. All three of the top receivers for Memphis have had carries in a game this season. The “dual-threat” receiver can be very beneficial. Mose Frazier would be my favorite of the Memphis receivers to play.
If you are looking for a tournament-only option at quarterback, SMU quarterback Matt Davis is my favorite on the slate. He has 738 yards rushing with ten touchdowns on the season and Memphis that is just as poor against the run as they are the pass. Expect big things from Davis this weekend.
Alabama at Auburn
Alabama is going to win this game. It most likely will not be a close one either. If the numbers on the season indicate anything at all, the Crimson Tide is going to roll over the Tigers. The Iron Bowl is supposed to be a rivalry game, but this season it is going to be a beat down.
Tide running back Derrick Henry is having one of the best seasons in Alabama history. He has 21 touchdowns on the season and there is no sign of slowing down. He is averaging 26.3 FanDuel points per game and has 30-plus points in three of the last four FanDuel games overall. Expect touchdowns in bunches from Henry against this poor Auburn defense.
One of my favorite wide receiver options on the day is Alabama’s Calvin Ridley. The true freshman star has been a great play since the start of October. Ridley has had at least five receptions in his last six playable FanDuel games. Auburn just allowed 356 passing yards to Idaho so the Crimson Tide should have no trouble moving the football.
