College Football DFS: Night Slates Week 9

We'll be attempting to combine the night and late-night slates into one article, and with regards to the two most popular DFS sites, they tend to handle things a bit diiferently.

While FanDuel offers contests that will expand its selections from the 4 PM ET games all the way through to the 10 PM ET games, DraftKings splits them into two different contests.  Either way, there are 12 different contests available across both late slates, and we'll endeavor to get you coverage for them today. For the purposes of the article and to make DraftKings selections a bit clearer, I will split the article up between the 4 PM and 10 PM slates.

First, let's take a look at the odds on all 12 games on the slate tonight -

4:00 PM GAMES

Alabama (-32) vs. Arkansas   O/U: 55.5

UCF (-10) @ Temple   O/U: 61

Memphis (-11) @ Tulsa   O/U: 58.5

Texas Tech (-4.5) @ Kansas  O/U: 64.5

Notre Dame (-1)  @ Michigan  O/U: 50.5

Clemson (-34.5) @ Boston College O/U: 59

Missouri (-10.5) @ Kentucky  O/U: 44

Arizona State (-2) @ UCLA              O/U: 55.5

10:00 PM GAMES

Utah (+21) vs. California  O/U: 37

Air Force (-5.5) vs. Utah State   O/U: 58.5

Oregon (-14) vs. Washington State O/U: 66

San Diego State (-13) @ UNLV  O/U: 45

(Odds provided via DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change)

Right away we seem some key games that I'm apt to target or fade on both slates.  On the 4PM end, Vegas expects the Texas Tech-Kansas matchup to be a high-scoring affair, and the narrow point spread indicates that it'll be somewhat competitive.  Conversely, we're not as high on Kelly Bryant and Mizzou taking on Kentucky. Both the spread and the Over/Under make it a game worth passing over. On the 10PM side, the WSU/OU matchup is the clear winner of the slate, and despite a lopsided spread, you have plenty of opportunities to choose from on both ends. The SDSU/UNLV matchup could be a spot to grab a little value, but it's Over/Under isn't too impressing.

QUARTERBACKS, 4 PM SLATE

Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (DK $7,400, FD $9,900) @ Boston College

Sure, the spread is massive, but I think this game is going to be a little more competitive than the odds dictate, and I'd be taking the points here, despite my complete lack of objectivity for my hometown Tigers.  I can be completely objective about the potential here, however, as a closer game means we won't see Chase Brice until late, leaving Lawrence on the field for most of the game. BC ranks a measly 233rd in the nation against the pass and has more success against rushers, so we should see the talented sophomore air it out on Saturday.

Jett Duffey, Texas Tech (DK $6,600, FD  $8,800) @ Kansas

I'll rely on the previously-indicated offensive potential here, Although there's been some drama surrounding the QB position for the Red Raiders, Duffey is clearly their best option currently, and he certainly puts the ball up enough to merit a slot based on his reasonable price tag.  He hasn't made many mistakes (two INT) and his completion percentage (68.3 %) isn't bad. The Jayhawks are 199th in the country against the pass, and I expect Duffey to take advantage.

QUARTERBACKS, 10 PM SLATE

Anthony Gordon, Washington State (DK $8,300, FD $10,500) at Oregon

It's best to not get cute and just slot in Gordon on a night where he'll be forced to do it all if the team wants to be competitive against the Ducks.  I prefer Gordon over Justin Herbert here, although you could easily S-FLEX Herbert and run with this game, especially in the DK slate. Gordon's thrown seven touchdowns and only one pick over the past two games, and it's hard to move off him despite the price.

There's uncertainty all over the QB spot on this slate, so aside from Herbert and Gordon, I can't really warrant a lot for any other player.  We don't know if Donald Hammond will take the field for Air Force and Tyler Huntley is battling an undisclosed injury - I'm also not too excited about Huntley's price tag.  I can't give a full-throated endorsement for the rest, but the Air Force QB situation is worth monitoring if you want to go a bit contrarian.

RUNNING BACKS, 4 PM SLATE

Kenny Gainwell, Memphis (DK $8,200, FD $10,300) @ Tulsa

Since we didn't go for the top at QB at 4 PM, I'm totally ok with going with the third-ranked running back in the country. Against Tulsa.  While Tulsa is arguably a better defender against the rush, Gainwell is the heart and soul of this offense and the Ov/Under suggests that we'll see a lot of points back and forth in this one.

SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech (DK $5,400, FD $8,600) @ Kansas

Thompson is a nice bargain, especially on DraftKings.  While Armand Shyne looks to be fine after his ankle injury, Thompson looked great in relief over the past two weeks. If we're aiming for a 120 score, we can get great value for Thompson if he enters the end zone.

RUNNING BACKS, 10 PM SLATE

Zack Moss, Utah (DK $7,400, FD $9,400) vs. California

Moss' only subpar game this year came against USC when he suffered an injury.  Aside from that blip on the radar, Moss has re-established his reputation as one of the most talented backs in the country. Expect the Utes to lean on Moss as they pull away in what should be a decisive win for Utah.

Travis Dye, Oregon (DK $5,100, FD $6,300) vs. Washington State

CJ Verdell is probable to play after suffering a sprain last week, but I don't see why the Ducks need to push it, especially when they have a talented guy like Dye.  We need to go low here on DraftKings if we choose to stack Gordon and Herbert, but I think you can find other options on the full FenDuel offering. Assuming Oregon pulls away,  I suspect they'll give Verdell a rest and not take too many chances with their marquee back.

WIDE RECEIVERS, 4 PM SLATE

Justyn Ross, Clemson (DK $5,900, FD $8,000) at Boston College

Ross' price continues to surprise me on both slates.  While he isn't a reception monster, he's good for a sensational play or two in every game, and I'm confident that the tigers will rely on the pass early in this game. He's scored three touchdowns over the past two games and I believe he'll breach the end zone again this week.

Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State (DK $5,700, FD $8,900) at UCLA

I was able to find another bargain in Aiyuk in hopes we can really make some bigger waves in our flex spot. Jayden Daniels and Aiyuk were silenced against Utah last week, but I think his tandem will  rebound against a much weaker opponent. Daniels is young and unpolished after being thrust into a starting role, but Aiyuk has made things a little easier for him, as he grabs most of his targets and is deadly out in space after the catch.

WIDE RECEIVERS, 10 PM SLATE

Jaylon Redd, Oregon (DK $5,400, FD $8,400) vs. Washington State

Aside from Week 1 against Auburn, Redd has reached the end zone in every game this season.  When it comes to the 'Redd Zone', the receiver is always in Herbert's sights. They may not need to air it up much in this matchup, but when they do, you can bet Redd will be in the mix.

Dezmon Patmon, Washington State (DK $5,400, FD $8,700) @ Oregon State

My logic here is to continue to go low in hopes of snagging a high-priced wideout for our Flex.  We'd be wise to stack a wideout with Gordon, so I wanted to find a catcher with upside. Patmon fits the bill perfectly, as he's run hot the past couple of weeks with two recent touchdowns. His reception numbers won't wow you, but a touchdown catch will easily offset that issue.

FLEX CONSIDERATIONS

Especially with the 10 PM slate, I aimed to fill the flex with a higher-priced guy like Easop Winston Jr., or a mid-priced running back like Juwan Washington.  Over on the 4 PM side, I think Amari Rodgers is a great pivot play for Clemson, and Keylon Stokes should be in line for more production as Tulsa attempts to catch up with Memphis.