This article is part of our DraftKings College Football series.
DraftKings Week 7 early slate features 17 games with the usual variety of scoring potential. Two games, as of this writing, check in with a total of 40, while there are five games with an over/uncer hovering around 68 points.
After a relatively successful start to the season, I've now failed to cash in consecutive weeks. Time to buck that trend.
QUARTERBACK
Thomas Woodson, Akron (at Bowling Green) $6,800
Something I'm growing increasingly fond of is stacking against the Falcons rather than with them. For as great as Bowling Green's offense has been, its defense has been simply dreadful. The Falcons rank secondtolast in the nation against the pass, allowing 326.5 yards per game, and have allowed at least 348 yards in each of their last four games. Woodson is far from a polished product but seemingly makes up for that with his rushing ability. Woodson has seven touchdowns in his last three games, twice rushing for 70 or more yards while adding at least 222 yards passing. He will have to top that number for the Zips to remain within striking distance.
James Summers, East Carolina (vs. Tulsa) $5,800
It's truly a shame the Pirates are rotating quarterbacks, because if either Summers or Blake Kemp ($7,100) were the lone option, they'd border on mustuse territory. This game has the highest point total on the slate at 78, and Summers' rushing ability makes him a highrisk, highreward option for tournament formats. The concern here is the Pirates falling behind early and going more exclusively with the better passer in Kemp. But against a team that ranks 113th against the pass, there's a chance for Summers to find some openings with his arm instead of his legs.
Others to consider:Brad Kaaya, Miami (vs. Virginia Tech) $6,300; Jake Coker, Alabama (at Texas A&M) $5,900; Chris Laviano, Rutgers (at Indiana) $5,300; Chad Kelly, Ole Miss (at Memphis) $7,400
RUNNING BACK
Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech (at Miami) $4,500
Frequent readers of this column know I've been a big fan of McMillian all season, and the Hokies finally agreed last week, allowing him to be their featured back. While he only had 11 carries, he turned them into 96 yards and a touchdown, and has officially been named the starter this week. The upside is great, as is the matchup as Miami was just gashed by FSU's Dalvin Cook for more than 200 yards. I'd like to see McMillian get 1518 carries before fully buying in, and his price has increased enough to where he isn't a must use player this week, but there is still plenty of value in McMillian.
Shannon Brooks, Minnesota (vs. Nebraska) $5,000
Brooks made me look smart with his 176yard performance last week. It's also caused his price to increase $1,400 this week. If Rodney Smith sits the game out due to injury, Brooks is a lock for 20 or more carries, which makes him worth using despite a difficult matchup against a Cornhuskers defense that is allowing just 95.3 yards a game.
Dare Ogunbowale, Wisconsin (vs. Purdue) $4,900
Ogunbowale showed what he's capable of with an 18carry 117yard performance while Taiwan Deal was sidelined last week. Purdue, meanwhile, ranks 111th against the rush, allowing 215.2 yards per game. That number has been even higher in conference, all the way up to 296.5 yards and two touchdowns a game. Ogunbowale and Deal would both be solid options, and if Deal sits out, which seems likely, Ogunbowale should run wild.
Others to consider:Chris Hairston, East Carolina (vs. Tulsa) $5,200; Gerard Wicks, Washington State (vs. Oregon State) $4,000; Conor Hundley, Akron (at Bowling Green) $4,800
WIDE RECEIVER
Calvin Ridley, Alabama (at Texas A&M) $5,200
The freshman has clearly come of age, topping 100 yards in consecutive contests while scoring in three straight. That's a cool 23.9 fantasy points per game, and the below average cost makes Ridley an obvious choice.
Trevon Brown, East Carolina (vs. Tulsa) $4,600
Brown is simply a touchdown maker. He's scored in all three games since returning from suspension, having topped 83 yards in his last two, and goes up against a defense that is allowing 284.2 yards per game through the air. And as previously mentioned, the game has the highest point total (78) in the early slate.
Joshua Atkinson, Tulsa (at East Carolina) $5,400
Atkinson has become a nearly automatic play, having turned in four consecutive 100-yard games. He hasn't scored in his last two, something that seems likely to change in a game with an over/under of 78, and his price is still slightly below the $5,555 average price tag. The only issue facing Atkinson is he's highly likely to appear on a majority of rosters.
Imani Davis, Akron (at Bowling Green) $3,000
Hopefully I'm saving the best for last, as Davis is my favorite player on the board this week. The matchup is apparent, the cost is negligible and Davis' production has been solid. In two conference games, Davis has five catches in each with at least 92 yards and a touchdown. Yes, he had only nine catches in the four games prior, but the risk here is nonexistent given the price. Davis offers an opportunity to buy in against the Falcons' defense while not fully taking stock in the Zips' offense.
Others to consider:Tony Brown, Texas Tech (at Kansas) $3,500; Stacy Coley, Miami (vs. Virginia Tech) $4,100; Ricky Jones, Indiana (vs. Rutgers) $4,100; Fred Ross, Mississippi State (vs. Louisiana Tech) $4,100; De'Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska (at Minnesota) $3,000
My Picks This Week
QB - Seth Russell, Baylor (vs. West Virginia) $9,000
QB - Chris Laviano, Rutgers (at Indiana) $5,300
RB - Dare Ogunbowale, Wisconsin (vs. Purdue) $4,900
RB - Gerard Wicks, Washington State (vs. Oregon State) $4,000
WR - Corey Coleman, Baylor (vs. West Virginia) $8,200
WR - Imani Davis, Akron (at Bowling Green) $3,000
WR - Calvin Ridley, Alabama (at Texas A&M) $5,200
Flex - Joshua Atkinson, Tulsa (at East Carolina) $5,400
Flex - Trevon Brown, East Carolina (vs. Tulsa) $4,600
Spotty quarterback play from the second spot has been my Achilles' heel this season, but I couldn't bring myself to buy two top options. Laviano has a great matchup and has Leonte Carroo back, and I'm just hoping for 200-plus yards and two scores.
Wicks is a little pricey given his limited upside. There's just no chance he can get to the 100-yard rushing mark, taking away bonus points. He won't kill me, but there's little hope for 20-plus points. I'm tracking a lot of injury situations this week, specifically running backs at Michigan State, Minnesota, Indiana and Wisconsin, that could alter this lineup. I am $400 under the cap, and if I can find someone to downgrade and potentially upgrade Wicks, I'd feel a little better. Bumping Brown for Brooks is also an option, as I've gone receiver heavy at my flex slots.
